Emergencies
Pain when biting? Signs of a cracked tooth and what to do
A cracked tooth can be hard to see. How it feels, why it's often missed on X-rays, and how it's treated, sometimes in one visit.
By Dr. Kang Jun-guMedically reviewed by Dr. Kang Jun-guPublished Updated 4 min read
Quick answer
A sharp pain when you bite down or release, especially on something hard, often points to a cracked tooth. Avoid chewing on that side and see a dentist soon. Small cracks can be protected with an onlay or crown, which can sometimes be made the same day; deeper cracks may need root canal treatment.
How it feels
- Sharp pain on biting or letting go
- Sensitivity to cold or sweet
- Pain that comes and goes, hard to pinpoint
- No visible damage in the mirror
Why it's hard to find
Cracks often run along the tooth and don't show on X-rays. Dentists use bite tests, magnification and cold tests to locate the tooth, step by step, before deciding on treatment.
Treatment options
- Small crack: bonding or an onlay to hold the tooth together
- Larger crack: a crown, sometimes milled the same day
- Crack reaching the nerve: root canal, then a crown
- Split tooth: extraction may be needed
Questions people also ask
Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?
No. Enamel doesn't regrow, and cracks tend to spread. Protecting the tooth early gives the best chance of keeping it.
Is it safe to wait until I get home?
If pain is mild and only on biting, avoid that side and see a dentist soon after you return. Constant pain or swelling needs attention sooner.
Need this looked at in Seoul?
Check-ups, scaling and whitening, with fees shown before we start.
Dr. Kang is a board-certified Integrated Dentistry specialist trained at Yonsei, Harvard and Columbia. He treats every patient at the Gongdeok clinic himself.
About Dr. KangHow we write these guides: each guide is written from questions our patients ask, reviewed by Dr. Kang, and updated when guidance changes. It is general information, not a diagnosis. For advice about your own teeth, please book a check-up.
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