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Cracked Tooth Treatment in Glendale, AZ

Cracked Tooth? Same-Day Treatment in Glendale, AZ

Services provided by an Arizona licensed general dentist.

Independent · Doctor-Owned

A cracked tooth gets worse with every bite. We can often see you today. Same-day crowns, bonding, and emergency exams available.

(480) 530-3663 Schedule Online
Cracked teeth need prompt attention. Call us today.
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Why It Matters Now

Why Cracked Teeth Can't Wait

A cracked tooth does not stabilize on its own. Every time you bite down, the crack flexes. Over days and weeks, that flexing drives the crack deeper into the tooth, toward the root. What begins as a minor fracture can become a split that requires extraction.

Pain when biting and sensitivity to hot or cold are the most common early signs. The pattern is specific: pain that spikes when you release biting pressure, or cold sensitivity that lingers more than a few seconds, both point to a crack extending into the dentin layer.

If the crack reaches the pulp, the inner nerve chamber, a crown alone will not be enough. A root canal is required first to remove the infected nerve tissue before a crown can be placed. At that point, cost and treatment time increase significantly.

If the crack extends into or below the bone level (a vertical root fracture), the tooth typically cannot be saved. Extraction followed by an implant becomes the path forward. This outcome is almost always avoidable with early treatment.

The takeaway: the sooner we see you, the more options you have and the less treatment you will likely need.

Treatment Path

What Treatment Looks Like

Severity determines the right approach. Here is how we match treatment to the crack.

Minor Crack or Chip
Bonding or Crown

Surface cracks and small chips can often be repaired with dental bonding, a fast and affordable fix. Where structural protection is needed, a crown is placed. We mill same-day zirconia crowns in-office for a permanent result in a single visit.

Crack Into Dentin
Crown Recommended

When a crack extends into the dentin layer, a crown is the standard of care. It encircles the tooth, stopping the crack from spreading further with every bite. Same-day zirconia is available. You leave with a permanent crown in one appointment.

Crack Into the Pulp
Root Canal, Then Crown

If the crack has reached the nerve, a root canal is required first to clear the infection. Once the nerve tissue is removed and the canals are sealed, a crown is placed. This sequence saves the tooth and ends the pain. Both can often be addressed in close sequence.

Vertical Root Fracture or Split
Extraction + Implant Discussion

A split tooth or vertical root fracture generally cannot be saved. Extraction is performed, and we discuss implant options at the same visit so you leave with a clear plan. Dr. Dawson has extensive experience with extractions and implant placement.

Not sure which category you fall into? That is exactly what the exam is for. We assess the crack, explain what we find, and give you options before any treatment begins. Dealing with multiple failing teeth? Learn about full-arch restoration options.

Pricing Transparency

What Does Cracked Tooth Treatment Cost?

Cracked tooth treatment ranges from a bonding repair (around $350 for minor chips) to a same-day zirconia crown for more significant fractures. If a root canal is needed first, that is a separate step reviewed with you before we proceed. Your treatment cost depends on the severity of the crack, and we assess it at your appointment. We give you the full picture, with exact pricing, before we begin. No surprises.

We accept most PPO dental insurance plans. Uninsured patients can ask about our in-house membership plan, which provides discounts on restorative treatment.

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Before You Get Here

What to Do While You Wait for Your Appointment

1
Rinse gently with warm water

Clean the area around the broken tooth by rinsing with warm (not hot) water. This helps remove debris and reduces the risk of infection without further damaging the tooth.

2
Apply a cold compress if swelling occurs

If there's swelling or pain, apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek in 10-minute intervals. Do not apply ice directly to the tooth or gum.

3
Avoid hard or chewy foods

Until you're seen by the dentist, avoid putting pressure on the damaged tooth. Stick to soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

4
Save any broken pieces

If a piece of tooth broke off, keep it. Place it in a small container with milk or saliva. In some cases, it can be used or help guide treatment decisions.

Nervous About the Visit?

Sedation Available for Any Procedure

We know emergency dental visits can feel stressful, especially when you're already in pain. Our IV sedation and oral conscious sedation options are available for any procedure, including emergency crowns. Just let us know when you call and we'll arrange everything.

(480) 530-3663 Learn About Sedation →

What Our Patients Say

4.9 (400+ reviews)

Independent & Doctor-Owned

Smile Science is owned entirely by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke -- two practicing dentists with no outside investors, no DSO involvement, and no private equity. The doctors making your treatment decisions are the same people whose names are on the practice.

When you call, you reach our team. When you come in, you see a doctor.

Your Questions Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

No. A cracked tooth cannot heal the way a bone can. The crack will not close or regenerate without treatment. Small surface cracks may stabilize if caught early, but any crack that extends into dentin or deeper will continue to propagate under the pressure of normal biting. Early treatment gives you more options and lower cost.
Not always. Some cracks cause sharp pain when biting or lingering sensitivity to cold. Others produce no pain at all, especially if the crack is small or the nerve has already been affected. The absence of pain does not mean the tooth is stable. A crack without pain still needs evaluation and treatment.
In most cases, yes. A cracked tooth should be evaluated the same day or within 24 to 48 hours. The longer a crack is left untreated, the deeper it can propagate. If you have swelling, severe pain, or signs of infection alongside the crack, call us immediately. We reserve same-day time for patients in urgent situations.
Most same-day zirconia crowns take about 2 to 3 hours from start to placement. We prep the tooth, take a digital scan, mill the crown in our in-office lab while you wait, and then bond it permanently. You leave with a finished, permanent crown the same day, no temporary crown, no second appointment.
The crack will deepen. What starts as a treatable fracture can become a split tooth or a vertical root fracture, both of which typically require extraction. Leaving a crack untreated also increases the risk of infection if bacteria reach the pulp. The treatment options available to you shrink significantly the longer you wait, and cost generally increases as well.
A root canal is a procedure that removes the nerve and pulp tissue from inside the tooth when they have been infected or damaged. Not every cracked tooth requires a root canal. If the crack is confined to the outer layers of the tooth, a crown may be sufficient to protect it. A root canal becomes necessary when the crack reaches the pulp -- the inner nerve chamber -- causing infection or irreversible inflammation. We assess this with X-rays and clinical testing at your appointment and explain exactly what we find before recommending any treatment.
Coverage depends on your specific plan and the treatment required. Most PPO dental plans cover a portion of crowns after a waiting period, and many cover emergency exam fees. Root canals are typically covered at 50-80% after deductible on plans that include endodontic benefits. We will check your benefits before your appointment and walk you through your estimated out-of-pocket cost before we begin any treatment. Uninsured patients can ask about our in-house membership plan, which reduces costs on restorative work.
Most cracked teeth can be saved with a crown, with or without a root canal, if caught before the crack reaches the root surface. The exception is a vertical root fracture, where the crack runs vertically down through the root. This type of fracture cannot be repaired, and the tooth typically needs to be extracted. If extraction is necessary, Dr. Dawson will discuss implant options with you at the same visit so you leave with a clear, complete plan. The most reliable way to give a cracked tooth the best chance is to get it evaluated as soon as possible.
No. Smile Science is 100% owned by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke, two practicing dentists. There are no outside investors, no private equity involvement, and no management company directing clinical decisions. Both owners practice here full time. In a DSO or corporate chain, treatment recommendations can be influenced by investor returns, production quotas, or rotating providers who do not know your history. At Smile Science, the people making your treatment decisions are the same people whose names are on the practice. They are the doctors you will see at your appointment.
Patient Reviews

Over 400 Five-Star Patients in Glendale

Smile Science has earned more than 400 five-star reviews from patients across the West Valley. We take every emergency seriously and every patient personally.

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Patient Stories

Hear From Our Patients

Real patients. Real results. Unscripted.

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Visit Our Office

20118 N 67th Ave, Ste 308
Glendale, AZ 85308
(480) 530-3663
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Every hour increases the risk of the crack deepening. Call (480) 530-3663 or book online and we will get you in the same day whenever possible.

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