Smoothing and bonding
Small chips can be smoothed or rebuilt with tooth-colored resin, often in one visit.
Broken or chipped tooth: what to do and how it is repaired
A broken tooth can feel sharp, sensitive or painful, and even a small chip can weaken a tooth. Getting it checked soon helps your dentist protect the tooth and choose the simplest repair that will last.
About Broken or Chipped Tooth
Broken tooth repair restores a tooth after a chip, crack or fracture. Small chips may be smoothed or repaired with tooth-colored bonding. Larger breaks may need a crown, and a break that reaches the nerve may need root canal therapy first. A tooth that is split below the gumline may not be savable.
Common ways teeth break
- Biting on ice, hard candy, bones or other hard foods
- Falls, accidents or sports injuries
- Large old fillings that weaken the tooth
- Clenching or grinding the teeth
- Decay that has weakened the tooth structure
Treatment options
Crown
A crown covers and protects a tooth with a larger break or crack.
Root canal therapy
If the break exposes or damages the nerve, the inside of the tooth is treated before it is restored.
Extraction and replacement
A tooth that cannot be saved may be removed and later replaced with an implant, bridge or partial denture.
What to expect
- 1
Call right away
Tell the team what happened. They will tell you the next available time and how to protect the tooth until then.
- 2
Check the damage
Your dentist examines the tooth and takes X-rays when needed to see how deep the break goes.
- 3
Protect the tooth
Sharp edges are smoothed and the tooth is protected while the repair is planned.
- 4
Restore the tooth
The tooth is repaired with the option that fits the damage.
Benefits
- Smooths sharp edges that cut the tongue or cheek
- Helps keep a crack from spreading
- Restores how the tooth looks and works
- Lowers the chance of infection
Risks and limitations
- Cracks are not always visible and can be hard to find, even with X-rays.
- Bonding can chip or stain over time and may need touch-ups.
- A crown requires reshaping the tooth, which cannot be undone.
- Some cracked teeth develop nerve problems later and may need root canal therapy.
Recovery and aftercare
- Avoid chewing hard foods or ice on the repaired tooth.
- Wear a mouthguard for contact sports and a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Call the office if the tooth becomes painful or sensitive after repair.
Offices offering Broken or Chipped Tooth
Call the office you plan to visit to confirm scheduling and availability.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do right after breaking a tooth?
Rinse your mouth with warm water, save any pieces, use a cold compress on the outside of your face and cover a sharp edge with sugarless gum or dental wax. Then call the office.
What if an adult tooth is knocked out completely?
Hold it by the crown, not the root, rinse it gently and place it back in the socket if you can, or keep it in milk. Get dental care immediately, because time matters for saving the tooth.
Does a small chip need treatment?
Even a small chip can hide a crack or weaken the tooth. Having it checked lets your dentist repair it before it gets bigger.
Can a broken tooth be fixed in one visit?
Small chips can often be repaired with bonding in one visit. Larger breaks that need a crown or root canal therapy usually take more than one visit.
Related services
Emergency Dentist
Urgent dental care for severe pain, broken or knocked-out teeth, swelling and infections.
Dental Bonding
Tooth-colored resin that repairs chips, small gaps and uneven edges, often in a single visit.
Dental Crowns
A crown covers and protects a tooth that is too damaged or weak for a filling alone.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy removes infection from inside a tooth so you can keep your natural tooth.
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¡Hablamos Español! Spanish-speaking front desk and dental assistants at every office.
¡Hablamos Español!Spanish-speaking front desk & dental assistants