Cracked Teeth
- Cracked teeth demonstrate many types of symptoms, including pain when chewing, temperature sensitivities, or even the release of biting pressure. It is also common for pain to come and go, making it difficult to diagnose the cause of discomfort.
- Chewing can cause movement of the cracked pieces of your tooth, and the pulp within the tooth becomes irritated.
- At the same time, when biting pressure is released, the crack can close quickly, resulting in sharp pain.
- Eventually, the pulp will become damaged and tooth will consistently hurt, even when you are not chewing. It is possible that cracks can lead to infection of the pulp tissue, which can spread to the bone and gum surrounding the problematic tooth.
Types of Cracks

Craze lines
These are tiny cracks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. These cracks are more common in adults. These types of cracks are superficial and are usually of no concern.

Fractured Cusp
When a cusp becomes weakened, a fracture may result. The cusp may break off or be removed by a dentist. A fractured cusp rarely damages the pulp, so root canal is not necessary. Your dentist will usually restore the tooth with a full crown.

Treatable Cracked Tooth
This type of crack extends from the chewing surface of the tooth and vertically migrates towards the root. In some cases, the crack may extend below the gum line. It is possible for the crack to extend further into the root. Damage to the pulp is commonplace. In this case, root canal treatment is usually necessary. A cracked tooth that is not treated will worsen, resulting in the loss of the tooth. Therefore, early detection is essential.

Split Tooth
A split tooth is usually the result of an untreated cracked tooth. It can be identified by a crack with distinct segments. This type of tooth can never be saved intact. Yet, the position and extent of the problem will dictate whether any portion of the tooth can be saved. Sometimes, endodontic retreatment by the doctors and restoration by your dentist can be used to save a portion of the tooth.

Vertical Root Fracture
A vertical root fracture begins at the root and extends towards the chewing surface of the tooth. Unfortunately, they show minimal symptoms and may go unnoticed. Treatment involves endodontic surgery if a portion of the tooth can be saved by removal of the fractured root. Otherwise, the tooth will have to be extracted.
Madison Endodontic Associates, SC
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Getting a root canal is never a "fun" experience, especially thinking about it in the days leading up to your appointment. I happened to be in a lot of pain 7 weeks after a crown, and scheduled a visit with my regular dentist, who did the crown. Unfortunately, I was one of a small number of patients that a crown did not do the job. After a few tests they determined I needed a root canal. At 9:30 am my dentist called Madison Endodontics, and I was in a chair 90 minutes later. The experience, though still dental work, couldn't have been better. Professional and caring staff from start to finish. The extreme pain I had been experiencing declined within 8 hours, and vanished in 24 hrs. Dr Wright and Staff were outstanding. Highly recommended!
- Jeff B
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very happy with MEA. Dr. Ries and Sherry were great.
- Mary Lynn K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I am a wife of a dentist that just retired last year. My husband referred me to Madison Endodontics for all three root canals that I have had. I can't say enough about them. What a wonderful staff from the front desk, to the chair sides to the doctors themselves. Very caring, informative, gentle, etc. Today I called in with a toothache and they got me right in with Dr. Amburle and he was exceptional. I've also had Dr. Ries for my other root canals and he is also exceptional. You can't go wrong with any of the doctors that work there. If you need any endo done this is the team to go to. They just moved into a beautiful new office building by Todd Drive. This is definitely a 5 star team.
- Diane K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Thank you for explaining the root canal process and especially for respecting my need for additional pain medication to maintain pain control.
- Rosanne S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I was very apprehensive leading up to my appointment but was put at ease about the process once i was there. It was a very good experience. Dr Wright and his assistant were so very gentle and caring.
- Christine K
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Wonderful experience! Very kind, knowledgeable, and efficient. "Root Canal" have a bad reputation that I know longer fear. Thank you!
- Darci E
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Excellent care and treatment. Highly recommend.
- Judy M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very friendly and professional, got me in on short notice
- Shawn R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I had a most wonderful experience today at Madison Endodontic Associates! The staff was very welcoming. The assistants were super and Dr. Wright was fantastic! It went quickly and THERE WAS NO DISCOMFORT! I would rate them most highly. Who would have thought a root canal would be a great experience.
- Tom M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Amburle, Thank you for taking such good care of me! Thank you for caring about me and checking so often to see if I was comfortable (I was). You are awesome! and soooo skilled! Thank you for being so careful and so thorough! I was so apprehensive, but you were so calm and reassuring and knowledgeable that I felt totally confident in you. Thank you for explaining everything to me as you went along; it helped take my mind off things because I knew what was going on and what was coming up. Your assistant was really sweet and calm and worked seamlessly with you which helped me relax too. And, the girls at the front desk - well they were so fun and so really nice too! Overall, I think y'all deserve 10 Stars! Thank you for being there!
- Sharon S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr Amburle was wonderful! Explained everything, asking if I was doing ok throughout the procedure, very efficient and calm, and polite with his assistant. I have had a root canal before so I was prepared for some discomfort during and after. Things worked out well this time in all aspects. Went to work right after and had no issues whatsoever. And - I didn't have to pay the whole amount that day! OMG - what a relief. Thank you so very much for that! A root canal is not a pleasant experience BUT the entire visit was! Thank you .
- Lou Ann W
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Very nice people, the Doctor was exceptionally good, thorough, informative and timely. Was really impressed.
- Anthony T
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Procedure went well with no significant pain afterwards. Dr. Ries was professional, congenial and proficient. I appreciated the call back the next day to check on how I was doing.
- Tim G
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Everyone complains about getting root canals, but once your mouth gets numb, they are no problem. 🙂
- Carol M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Having a root canal is usually not high on anyone’s list of fun things to do but Dr. Ries and his assistant (I’m sorry I forgot her name) kept me as comfortable and pain-free as possible thoughout procedure. They explained what was going on, and checked often on how I was doing as we went along. Afterwards they went over the xrays with me & pointed out another tooth that’s going to need attention soon. Their professionalism and caring helped make the experience as pleasant as a root canal can be. I highly recommend Dr. Ries and his staff. Thank you again!
- Rita D
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
My regular dentist referred me to this business and I had an appointment immediately. Very professional and kind people.
- Craig M
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
As soon as Dr. Wright entered the room, I felt his calm & reassuring demeanor. Throughout the procedure he was gentle and attentive to how I was doing. Dr. Wright explained everything he was doing as he did it. His assistant was also attentive to how I was doing.
- Elizabeth S
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dear Dr. Paritosh Amburle, I would like to extend my appreciation for the amazing work done by you on my root canal. The hour that you spent working on my tooth, and the professionalism that you showed impressed me immensely it also made me very comfortable. Thank you once again for the job well done. Best regards, Alex R
- Alex R
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
Dr. Amburle was very good at communicating what he was doing, why he was doing it, and what I should expect throughout the whole root canal procedure. I appreciated knowing how things were progressing and what he found along the way. I really like the rubber dam he used to keep most of the "stuff" out of my mouth throughout the procedure.
- Cory E
Our Latest Patient Testimonial
I HAD VISITED TWO DENTISTS BEFORE BEING REFERRED TO MEA AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSIS MY ISSUE. BEING A RETIRED VETERAN, MY V.A. DENTIST REFERRED ME TO MEA. I HAD SEEN HIM LAST THURSDAY AT THE MADISON V.A. AND I WAS ABLE TO GET SEEN TODAY FOR INITIAL VISIT. DR. AMBURLE AND HIS ASSISTANT GOT ME IN RIGHT AWAY WITH MINIMAL WAITING. SORRY, I CANNOT REMEMBER HIS DENTAL ASSISTANT BUT SHE WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND MADE ME FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE. WHEN DR. AMBURLE CAME IN HE WAS VERY REASSURING AND ABLE TO DIAGNOSIS MY PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY. HE OFFERED TO DO THE PROCEDURE RIGHT AWAY, AND EXPLAINED EXACTLY WHAT WOULD TAKE PLACE. I FELT VERY COMFORTABLE AND SUPPORTED DURING THE ENTIRE TIME. THIS WAS THE FIRST ROOT CANAL I HAD EVER HAD AND WAS KINDA NERVEOUS BUT THEY BOTH MADE THE ENTIRE EXPERIENCE NON-EVENTFUL. THE PROCEDURE WAS DONE AROUND 11:00 A.M. THIS MORNING AND NOW THAT I AM HOME I STILL DO NOT FEEL DISCOMFORT. I WOULD RECOMMEND YOUR CLINIC TO ANYONE THAT NEEDED SPECIAL DENTAL NEEDS. I PHONE MY WIFE ON THE WAY BACK TO ROCKFORD AND TOLD HER THAT THIS WAS THE MOST PLEASANT EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD IN ANY MEDICAL FACILILTY. I PLAN TO FOLLOW UP WITH MY LOCAL DENTIST TO GET MY PERMANENT FILLING WITHIN A WEEK. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT " YOU KIDS ROCK!!!!" I HOPE I NEVER NEED ANOTHER ROOT CANAL BUT IF I DO, YOU CAN BET IT IS WORTH DRIVING TO MADISON. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO THE ENTIRE STAFF. CHARLES DUDLEY
- CHARLES D