A crack line can been seen in this tooth as a cavity is drilled away. Misdiagnosis by a dentist and/or failure to seek timely treatment by a patient can lead to the need for tooth extraction if the crack progressively deepens.

This photo shows a cracked tooth. Note the portion of the tooth – in the right side of this photo – that has separated from the rest of the tooth. Broken and chipped teeth are common after root canal and that is why a dental crown is frequently recommended. Fortunately this crack did not extend far below the gum gingival margin and the patient received a dental crown.

See Fracture in this Photo section for many more pictures of broken teeth.