Cracked Tooth or Failing Filling? How To Tell and What To Do

That sharp zing when you bite down—was it a cracked tooth or a worn-out filling flexing under pressure? Distinguishing the two matters because the fix is different. This guide explains common symptoms, home steps to take right away, and how Shoreline Dental Studio pinpoints the cause so you can get back to comfortable chewing.

How Cracks Happen

Enamel is strong, but sudden forces (biting an olive pit), repeated stress from grinding, or large, aging fillings can create micro-fractures. Over time, cracks can spread into deeper layers, bringing on sensitivity and pain with chewing.

Signs of a Cracked Tooth

• Sharp pain when releasing a bite (the classic “cracked tooth syndrome” sign)
• Sensitivity to cold, sweets, or air on a specific tooth
• Intermittent pain that’s hard to locate
• A visible line or craze that catches your fingernail (though many cracks are invisible without magnification)

Signs of a Failing Filling

• Dull ache when chewing on a tooth with a large, older filling
• Food or floss snagging on the edge of a filling
• Visible staining or gaps around the margins
• A piece of filling breaks off

First Aid at Home

Avoid chewing on the area, take over-the-counter pain relievers as directed, and rinse with warm salt water if the gum feels irritated. If a piece breaks off, save it and call us. Avoid extreme temperatures until we evaluate the tooth.

How We Diagnose the Difference

We use a combination of biting tests, transillumination (bright light to reveal cracks), digital X-rays, and magnification. Cracks within enamel may not show on X-rays, so clinical testing is essential. For fillings, X-rays reveal gaps, recurrent decay, or fractures underneath.

Treatment Options—From Conservative to Definitive

• Bonding/Small Filling Replacement: For minor edge wear or small recurrent cavities.
• Onlay or Crown: For cracks that compromise strength or large, failing fillings. A custom onlay or crown covers vulnerable cusps and redistributes forces.
• Root Canal Therapy: If a crack reaches the pulp and causes lingering pain or abscess.
• Extraction & Replacement: For vertical root fractures or cracks extending below bone. We’ll discuss implants or bridges to restore function.

Will a Crack Heal?

Enamel doesn’t heal like bone, so stabilization is the goal. Covering the tooth with a well-designed restoration prevents flexing and stops pain from bite release. The earlier we reinforce the tooth, the better the prognosis.

Prevention Tips

Wear a night guard if you clench, avoid chewing ice, and be cautious with very hard foods. Address small chips quickly; they rarely improve on their own and can turn into bigger fractures.

We’ll Get You Chewing Comfortably Again

Whether it’s a cracked tooth or a tired filling, we’ll pinpoint the problem and guide you to a durable solution that feels natural.

Feeling a bite-shock in one tooth? Call Shoreline Dental Studio at (850) 462-5050 to Call Us Today for a prompt evaluation and comfortable, long-lasting repair.