Tooth enamel is one of the strongest materials in the human body, but even strong enamel can break, chip or crack—especially with some of the crunchy foods we love around Glen Iris. Crunching down on hard foods like pork crackling, ice or candy is one of the most common causes of cracked teeth. A fall while walking around Gardiner’s Creek Trail or a sporting knock at TH King Oval can also lead to sudden tooth damage.
If a tooth already has decay, is weakened by grinding, or has an old restoration, it is even more likely to fracture.
A cracked or broken tooth may not always hurt, especially if the tooth has already had a root canal treatment. More commonly, pain appears while chewing, when pressure causes the cracked sections of the tooth to move. You may also notice sensitivity to heat or cold if the nerve inside the tooth is irritated or exposed.
When left untreated, a cracked tooth can allow bacteria to enter deeper layers of the tooth, the root canal system and even the bone—leading to serious infection and possible tooth loss.
Below are the common types of tooth fractures that we treat every week at Tooronga Family Dentistry in Glen Iris, and the treatments most often used.
Minor Cracks
Small surface cracks in the enamel—often caused by tooth grinding, clenching or hard foods—are very common.
At Tooronga Family Dentistry, these are often resolved with a simple polish to remove rough edges and improve comfort.
A Cracked Tooth
A cracked tooth is at high risk of breaking apart.
If the crack runs through a tooth with a filling or decay, we will:
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Remove the old filling and any decay
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Rebuild the tooth using a strong composite restoration, which holds the cracked segments together
This restores strength and prevents further fracture.
Tooth Chips
Small chips can usually be repaired with a composite filling to prevent the damage from worsening.
If the chip is tiny and does not affect your smile, we may simply polish the area.
Large Fractures
When a large portion of the tooth breaks away, it often means the crack reaches the nerve. This can cause severe sensitivity or pain.
In these cases, treatment usually involves:
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Root canal therapy
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A custom crown to protect the weakened tooth
Split Tooth
If a crack runs vertically and the tooth is separated into two sections, treatment options include:
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Root canal treatment, if the split is limited
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Extraction, if the split is too deep to restore
If You Break, Chip or Crack a Tooth in Glen Iris
If you notice a crack, chip or break—even if it doesn’t hurt—it is important to see Dr Daniel Kaufman at Tooronga Family Dentistry as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
You can book online or 👉Call.
📍 Conveniently located for families in Glen Iris, Tooronga, Malvern and Hawthorn East