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Emergency Care
Rinse your mouth with warm water. If bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze. Save any broken pieces and bring them with you.
This may be a dental emergency. Call us now at (972) 641-2900 for same-day care.
← All Symptoms
Dental injury
I Broke a Tooth
A chipped, cracked, or broken tooth can happen suddenly — biting something hard, a fall, or a sports injury. What you do in the next few hours matters.
What is this condition?
A broken tooth refers to any situation where part of the tooth structure has fractured, chipped, or cracked. Breaks range from minor enamel chips (cosmetic only) to deep cracks that extend into the root (dental emergency). The severity determines the treatment needed.
Why might I have this?
- Biting down on hard foods (ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels)
- A fall, sports injury, or blow to the face
- Teeth grinding (bruxism) weakening enamel over time
- Large old fillings that weaken the surrounding tooth structure
- Tooth decay that hollows out the tooth from the inside
- Sudden temperature changes (e.g., hot food followed by cold water)
What symptoms should I watch for?
- Sharp pain when biting or chewing
- A jagged or rough edge you can feel with your tongue
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet
- Pain that comes and goes but is hard to pinpoint
- Swelling or bleeding around the broken tooth
- A piece of tooth that has come out completely
What happens during treatment?
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Examination & X-Rays
We assess the extent of the break, check for nerve involvement, and take X-rays to see what's happening below the gumline.
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Diagnosis
We determine whether the tooth can be saved and which restoration is most appropriate for your situation.
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Restoration
Treatment may include bonding, a crown, root canal therapy, or extraction depending on the severity of the break.
Will it hurt?
Minor chips may cause no pain at all. Deeper breaks that expose the nerve can be very painful. We will numb the area completely before any treatment so you are comfortable throughout.
How long does it take?
A simple chip repaired with bonding takes about 30–60 minutes. A crown requires two visits. If a root canal is needed, plan for 60–90 minutes per visit.
What happens after treatment?
- Avoid chewing on the broken tooth until it is treated
- Rinse gently with warm salt water to keep the area clean
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed
- Cover sharp edges with dental wax (available at pharmacies) if they irritate your cheek or tongue
What happens if I don't treat it?
A broken tooth that isn't treated will continue to break. Bacteria enter through the crack, leading to decay and infection. A tooth that could have been saved with a crown may eventually require extraction.
Possible treatments
Dental Bonding
Composite resin repairs minor chips and cracks in a single visit.
Learn moreDental Crowns
A crown protects and restores a tooth with a significant break.
Learn moreRoot Canal Treatment
Required when a break exposes or infects the tooth's nerve.
Learn moreTooth Extraction
For teeth broken beyond repair, extraction removes the tooth safely.
Learn moreDo you perform this at Essential Dental Care?
Yes. We treat broken teeth at Essential Dental Care with bonding, crowns, and root canal therapy. For complex fractures extending into the root, we may refer you to a specialist.
Schedule an Evaluation
Don't wait — early treatment is almost always simpler, less expensive, and more comfortable. We're here to help.