Cracked Tooth Treatment in London
Cracked teeth can be deceptively serious. A crack may not be visible to you, but you can usually feel it — a sharp pain on biting and release, intermittent sensitivity to cold, or a vague pain that is hard to localise. The earlier a cracked tooth is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome. Untreated, cracks can progress through the tooth and sometimes mean the tooth cannot be saved.
Flat £30 emergency assessment fee for everyone. X-rays (£20/image, £10 for members) and onward treatment quoted separately in writing before treatment.
What to Do Right Now
- →Avoid biting on the affected side — chewing pressure can extend the crack.
- →Avoid extremes of temperature (very cold drinks, very hot food).
- →Use ibuprofen and/or paracetamol at recommended doses for pain.
- →Book a dental assessment promptly — cracks tend to worsen with time.
How We Treat Cracked Tooth Treatment
Treatment depends on the depth and location of the crack. Shallow cracks may be restored with composite bonding or a crown. Deeper cracks reaching the nerve may need root canal treatment followed by a crown. If the crack extends below the gum line into the root, the tooth may not be savable, and we will discuss replacement options honestly.
Cost & what is included
Emergency assessment is a flat £30 for everyone — this includes the clinical examination and pain triage. X-rays (charged at £20 per image, £10 for members) and any onward treatment are quoted separately and confirmed in writing before treatment goes ahead. We will explain options and prognosis honestly; you are free to take time to decide or to seek a second opinion.
Common Causes
Understanding what has caused the problem helps you take the right next step — and helps us choose the right treatment. The most frequent reasons we see in clinic are:
- •Repeated chewing forces — particularly on back teeth with large old fillings.
- •Biting on something hard or unexpectedly hard (a bone, a stone, ice).
- •Tooth grinding or clenching (bruxism).
- •Sudden temperature changes (very cold drink straight after very hot food).
- •Previous root canal treatment without a protective crown.
Treatment Costs — Guide Prices
All prices below are guide prices for treatments most commonly needed for this kind of emergency. Your written treatment plan after the assessment will confirm the exact figure for your situation, before any treatment goes ahead. SPMD Dental Membership typically saves 50% on most dental treatments (terms apply).
| Treatment | Standard price | Member price |
|---|---|---|
Emergency dental assessment Flat £30 for everyone — examination + pain triage. | £30 | £30 |
Dental X-ray (per image) Only charged if clinically required. | £20 | £10 |
Crown (porcelain / metal-ceramic) Per tooth. | from £995 | from £497.50 |
Crown (zirconia) Per tooth. | from £1,195 | from £597.50 |
Root canal — molar Crown usually recommended afterwards. | from £895 | from £447.50 |
Tooth extraction (complicated) Where the tooth is broken down or has curved roots. | from £450 | from £225 |
Emergency assessment is a flat £30 for everyone (this is the standard rate — the membership discount does not apply to the assessment itself). Multi-visit treatments (e.g. root canal + crown) are quoted together so you can see the full cost up front. We never start treatment without your written agreement.
After Your Appointment
You will leave with written aftercare specific to your treatment. As a general guide, the following points apply to most patients seen for this kind of emergency:
- ✓After a crown is fitted, avoid sticky and very hard foods for 24 hours.
- ✓If you grind your teeth, a custom night-guard will protect both the crown and any cracked teeth.
- ✓Brush and floss as normal — crowns can still develop decay at the margin.
- ✓Cold sensitivity may persist for a few weeks after a deep repair and usually settles.
- ✓Contact us if pain on biting returns, which can indicate the crack is progressing.
If anything worries you between appointments, phone the clinic — we would much rather hear from you early than late.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my tooth is cracked?
Classic signs include sharp pain on biting and a brief delayed pain on release, intermittent cold sensitivity, and pain that is hard to pinpoint. Cracks are sometimes only visible on examination, special transillumination or X-ray.
Can a cracked tooth heal itself?
No. Teeth do not heal cracks. Without treatment, the crack will usually progress with chewing forces and may eventually involve the nerve or split the tooth.
Will I always need a crown for a cracked tooth?
Many cracked back teeth benefit from a crown because it holds the tooth together and protects against further fracture. Smaller cracks in less load-bearing areas may be managed differently. Your dentist will explain the options.
Can a cracked tooth be saved?
It depends on the extent and direction of the crack. Cracks confined to the crown of the tooth are usually treatable. Vertical cracks extending below the gum line or into the root often cannot be saved.
How urgent is treatment?
Early treatment generally improves outcomes. We aim to assess cracked teeth within 24–48 hours. Severe pain warrants same-day assessment.
Other Dental Emergencies
Looking for help with something else? See our other emergency dentist pages:
Need to be seen now?
Call the clinic nearest to you. Same-day emergency appointments are subject to clinical availability — we will give you the soonest realistic slot. Out of hours, NHS 111 can also help.
SPMD Medical & Dental is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and our clinicians are registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). If at any point you are unhappy with your care, we welcome your feedback. Our complaints procedure is published on our website and a copy is available on request.
