Why Extraction and Implants Are Necessary When a Cracked Tooth Hurts Badly

Hello,

I’m Dr. Lee Juri, the chief director of Seoul Vardi Dental Clinic.

Many people visit the hospital because of pain felt every time they chew.

When we examine them, the X-ray often looks fine,

and there are many cases where they react during the "Please bite down~" test or the percussion test, where the tooth is tapped.

It is often a case of a cracked tooth.

Today, I’ve summarized two treatment options for cracked teeth

and the moments when extraction is needed.

<Contents>

1. Why does a cracked tooth hurt so much?
2. Two treatment options
3. When is implant treatment needed?

1. Why does a cracked tooth hurt so much?

250331 Cracked tooth

It hurts so much every time I chew.

They said it feels like electricity running through it,

and that it stings every time they chew.

This is the kind of pain a cracked tooth can cause.

A crack is not the same as the tooth splitting apart;

because it is only a tiny hairline crack,

it often does not show up on X-rays,

and since it is hard to see with the naked eye, diagnosis is often delayed. But once a crack forms inside, it can reach the nerve and cause severe pain.

In particular, if the crack runs deeply toward the root of the tooth,

even after root canal treatment,

pain can still occur each time you chew as the crack opens wider.

2. Two treatment options

There are two main treatment options.

If the pain decreases after root canal treatment,

a crown is placed

to protect the tooth so the crack does not get worse,

or

250331

If pain continues even after root canal treatment,

then the tooth may need to be extracted and an implant placed,

or

that is why for cracked teeth, we often do not take an impression right after root canal treatment

and instead observe it for a while.

Plastic temporary tooth

To check whether the pain decreases,

we sometimes make a temporary tooth

and have the patient use it.

These are what are called fake teeth.

Once a tooth cracks, it does not heal back together on its own like bone does.

The deeper the crack becomes,

the more difficult the treatment is.

231106 Tooth split into two pieces

In particular, teeth such as molars that receive a lot of chewing force

can have small cracks gradually grow larger while eating,

until the tooth eventually splits apart.

(In severe cases, it can split into two pieces.)

3. When is implant treatment needed?

This patient also initially underwent root canal treatment.

We expected the pain to decrease once the nerve was removed,

but even when the temporary material was removed during treatment,

severe pain continued.

During root canal treatment, 250414

They were in a lot of pain even with minor stimulation,

and the pain did not improve even after repeated root canal treatment.

The fine crack lines were visible even to the naked eye..

We explained to the patient from the beginning that “even if root canal treatment continues, the pain will persist, and it will be difficult to maintain the tooth long term.”

250414

They said they wanted to try disinfecting it one more time,

so we observed it through several more treatments...

In the end, the tooth was extracted and implant treatment was performed.

Treating a cracked tooth is challenging.

Even during treatment, the prognosis is not good,

and there is a high likelihood that it will eventually lead to extraction.

If it is found early, a crown restoration can be placed

and the tooth can be used carefully,

but

Implant after extraction, 250516

once a deep crack has already formed,

pain may continue even after root canal treatment.

If the pain is severe when chewing, I recommend getting an X-ray and a detailed examination at the dental clinic.

Also, if the tooth is already cracked,

it is difficult to reverse,

so prevention by avoiding hard foods is important to prevent cracking.

I’m sharing cases of cracked teeth related to today’s article,

so please be sure to read them.

Other articles worth reading
1. What is cracked tooth syndrome?
2. A case that required extraction due to a crack

Thank you!

Why Extraction and Implants Are Necessary When a Cracked Tooth Hurts Badly

#crackedtoothpain #crackedtooth #crackedtoothextraction #crackedtoothimplant