Chipped or broken tooth? What to do and how it's fixed

It can happen biting into a popcorn kernel, a fall, or even for no clear reason. A chipped or broken tooth is upsetting, but most can be repaired, often in a single visit. Here's what to do right away and what your options are.

What to do right away

1. Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
2. Save any pieces of the tooth in a clean container and bring them with you.
3. Stop any bleeding by pressing gently on the area with clean gauze for about 10 minutes.
4. Use a cold compress on your cheek to reduce swelling.
5. Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax from the pharmacy so it doesn't cut your tongue or cheek.
6. Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold or hard foods until you're seen.
7. For pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever exactly as the label directs.

How serious is it?

• A small chip with no pain is usually not urgent, but it's worth having checked within a week or two before it gets bigger.
• A larger break or a sharp, jagged edge should be seen within a day or two.
• Pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or a pink or red spot in the broken area can mean the inner nerve is exposed. Call us the same day.
• A cracked tooth that hurts when you bite should be checked soon. Cracks can spread if they're left alone.

How it's fixed

After an exam and an X-ray, we'll explain your options and the cost before we start. Depending on the size and location of the break, the fix might be:

• Bonding: tooth-colored material shaped and polished to rebuild a small chip, often in one short visit. Learn about bonding.
• A filling: for a break on a back tooth or one with a cavity. Fillings and crowns.
• A crown: a custom cap that covers and protects a tooth with a large break or crack.
• A veneer: a thin shell on the front of the tooth, for a chipped front tooth where appearance matters.
• A root canal if the nerve is damaged, usually followed by a crown. About root canals.
• An extraction only if the tooth can't be saved, with replacement options like an implant or bridge.

Will insurance cover it?

Most dental plans help with fillings, crowns and root canals, though coverage varies. We'll check your benefits for you. If you don't have insurance, monthly payment plans are available through Cherry.