A chipped, cracked or broken tooth can happen from biting something hard, an accident or sports. Even a small chip can have a sharp edge, and a crack can allow bacteria in and lead to pain or infection, so it is best to be checked.
What to do
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water
- Save any pieces you can find, and bring them with you
- Use a cold pack on the cheek to reduce swelling
- Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax, if needed
- Avoid biting on the tooth, and call us
Treatment options
- Smoothing the edge, for a very small chip
- Bonding, to rebuild the shape with tooth-coloured resin
- A veneer or crown, for a larger break
- A root canal, if the nerve is exposed or damaged
- Extraction, if the tooth cannot be saved, with options to replace it
Which treatment is right depends on how deep the break goes. We will examine the tooth, take x-rays and explain your options. If the tooth is painful or bleeding, or part of it has broken off below the gum line, call us right away.