2026-09-07
Gwanghui-dong Dental Clinic: Root Canal Treatment for Symptoms Caused by Cracked Teeth
This article explains how cracked teeth can lead to symptoms requiring root canal treatment, often due to strong chewing forces or large, old restorations. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to preserve natural teeth.
Gwanghui-dong Dental Clinic: Root Canal Treatment for Cracked Teeth
Hello,
I am Dr. Kim Tae-young, the head director of Bareunyoung Dental Clinic, where the head director personally explains treated cases.
Root canal treatment (RCT) is often perceived as a painful and frightening procedure in dentistry.
If I were to guess why,
most cases requiring root canal treatment are those where patients visit due to spontaneous pain from tooth nerve inflammation, or when they experience discomfort in daily life due to pain that cannot be controlled even with medication.
Treatment in a severely inflamed state can sometimes make anesthesia less effective, which can leave a lasting memory of fear.
Today, I will explain cases where root canal treatment is necessary due to a cracked tooth.
Cracks in teeth can occur due to:1. Strong chewing forces2. Large, old restorations
Generally, problems caused by cracked teeth primarily occur in the large molars and are closely related to lifestyle habits.
While cracks in teeth are often found in adults, they do not always lead to symptoms.
When a cracked tooth causes inflammation in the internal nerve,
it can hurt even when at rest, and cause pain when chewing or consuming cold or hot foods.
In severe cases of such inflammation, if medication is ineffective and holding cold water in the mouth provides relief, it indicates that gas has accumulated due to nerve necrosis inside the tooth, requiring immediate treatment.
‘It hurts even with medication, and it hurts even when I'm still.’
The patient visited us due to discomfort in the very last molar on the lower right side.
X-rays already showed signs of inflammation at the root, and an intraoral photo revealed a crack line around the old gold inlay that had been previously treated.
Cracks in teeth are often found in teeth that have undergone old gold inlay treatments.
This tooth had a modified root canal structure compared to other teeth, and conventional root canal treatment was performed to alleviate the symptoms.
During root canal treatment, a crack line inside the tooth was discovered.
Although the crack appeared quite advanced, it was not severe enough to warrant extraction, so we explained that we would try our best to preserve the natural tooth with crown treatment and began the procedure.
While cracked teeth ultimately have a high probability of extraction, with good management, the need for implants can be delayed, and the natural tooth can be maintained. Therefore, treatment can be tailored to the symptoms.
‘Holding cold water in my mouth lessens the pain.’
Inflammation of the internal nerve of a tooth is called pulpitis.
Pulpitis can be classified into reversible pulpitis, which can recover in its early stages, and irreversible pulpitis, which cannot recover naturally.
Irreversible pulpitis involves pain caused by pressure from gas inside the tooth due to nerve necrosis, and this level of pain is often not well controlled by medication.
The patient's symptoms were determined to be irreversible pulpitis.
This tooth had a large, old restoration that appeared to be in poor condition, and X-rays showed signs of inflammation at the root.
This is a photo taken at the completion of the first day's root canal treatment.
A crack line running horizontally was observed.
When treating a tooth with necrotic nerves,
we try to disinfect the inside for a longer period than usual.
This helps reduce the probability of future re-root canal treatment.
Although teeth are like hard bones, over decades of repeated use, excessive chewing forces, or weakened teeth due to extensive past cavities, cracks can develop.
I believe it is important to visit the dentist for a differential diagnosis when symptoms are mild in the early stages. If the problematic tooth is diagnosed through this process, early treatment can help preserve the tooth's lifespan, even if only slightly.
Today, we discussed tooth symptoms before root canal treatment at a dental clinic near Gwanghui-dong.
I hope this information was helpful to those experiencing similar symptoms.
Since symptoms can vary greatly from person to person,
I recommend visiting a dental clinic for an examination.
Thank you.^^
Treatment Start: 2024.09.23
Treatment End: 2024.10.14
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‘I believe that proper treatment leads to proper results. My goal is to create a trustworthy dental clinic where everyone who visits with worries can leave feeling relieved.’
- Bareunyoung Dental Clinic
Directions
2nd Floor, JYJ Building, 179 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu
Right in front of Exit 6 of Yaksu Station, towards Yaksu Market
Village Bus 5 (Yaksu Station)
Village Bus 12 (Namsan Town, Yaksu Police Station)
Bus Stop (Yaksu Heights, Sindang Social Welfare Center, Gaon Library, Geumho Tunnel Entrance)
From YuYu Pharma towards Geumho Station
This post was written directly by Bareunyoung Dental Clinic for the purpose of providing medical information and hospital advertising (in compliance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act). The photos are of the same patient, and treatment methods and other side effects (pain, inflammation, prosthetic detachment) may vary for each patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main causes of cracked teeth?
The primary causes of cracked teeth are strong chewing forces or large, old restorations. They mainly occur in large molars and are closely related to lifestyle habits.
Do cracked teeth always cause pain?
No, they do not always lead to symptoms. However, if a cracked tooth causes inflammation in the internal nerve, you may experience pain even at rest, or when chewing, or consuming cold or hot foods.
What are the severe symptoms of a cracked tooth that require root canal treatment?
In severe inflammatory conditions, pain may not be controlled even with medication, and patients might feel relief only by holding cold water in their mouth. This could indicate gas accumulation due to nerve necrosis inside the tooth, requiring immediate treatment.
Can a cracked tooth be preserved without extraction?
Yes, it is possible. If the crack is not severe enough for extraction, natural teeth can be preserved as much as possible through treatments like crowns. Good management can delay the need for implants.
Why is root canal treatment perceived as painful and frightening?
Most cases requiring root canal treatment involve severe spontaneous pain from tooth nerve inflammation or pain that causes discomfort in daily life. In severely inflamed states, anesthesia may not be fully effective, which can leave a lasting memory of fear.
How can cracked teeth be diagnosed early?
It is important to visit a dental clinic for a differential diagnosis when symptoms are mild in the early stages. Early diagnosis and treatment of the problematic tooth can help preserve its lifespan.