Fixing a Broken Tooth

A broken tooth or fractured tooth can feel distressing and anxiety-inducing. But the good news is that a fractured tooth is still salvageable.

A quick dental treatment can effectively repair a broken tooth and prevent costly complications. Let's walk through how dentists classify tooth fractures, immediate relief steps you can take at home, and which professional treatments offer lasting solutions.

How Do Dentists Classify a Broken Tooth?

Understanding the type of cracked tooth you have determines how urgently it needs repair and how much you’ll likely pay.

Dentists identify fractures in five main categories:

• Enamel chip — A minor break involving only the tooth's outer layer. Often cosmetic and least expensive to fix.
• Cracked cusp — A moderate fracture affecting the pointed part (cusp) of a tooth, typically from biting something hard.
• Cracked tooth — A deeper crack extending toward the tooth pulp (nerve center), potentially causing pain or sensitivity.
• Split tooth — A severe fracture splitting the tooth into distinct segments, usually needing extraction.
• Vertical root fracture — A break starting from the root, often unseen without x-rays, frequently requiring tooth removal.

Dentists use visual exams, dental x-rays, and special lights (transillumination) to diagnose the severity and depth of the fracture accurately.

How Do Dentists Treat a Broken Tooth?

Treatment for a broken tooth will depend on the size and location of the crack or break.

Here are the seven most common dental procedures used to repair a broken tooth:

1. Broken Tooth Extraction and Dental Implant

If the tooth’s crack extends below the gum line, the tooth cannot be saved and will need to be extracted (removed).

Extraction is usually the only option when the crack is vertical, below the gum line, involves the roots, and when pieces are mobile.

After the tooth is extracted, a dental implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone. After the site heals, a crown, bridge, or denture is attached.

2. Dental Bonding or Filling

A dentist can repair the damage with a dental filling if only a small piece of enamel has chipped off. Dental fillings can be made of a white composite resin or silver amalgam (mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc, and copper).

Fillings close the hole and restore tooth function. If a tooth is missing a large portion, a dental inlay can replace the missing part of the tooth. 

This restoration is often stronger and more durable than a dental filling. If the chip is on the front tooth or visible when smiling, the dentist will likely use a blue LED curing light to bond a tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth's surface.

3. Reshaping

If the tooth's damage is only a small chip, a dentist can correct the issue by reshaping the tooth or smoothing and polishing the affected area.

Tooth reshaping removes small amounts of enamel from the tooth's surface. When done correctly, the procedure can improve the tooth's appearance and make it more symmetrical.

4. Dental Veneers

Dental veneers may be recommended if the chip is small and only causes cosmetic damage. It’s a layer of porcelain or composite resin covering a natural tooth. 

Veneers can make a broken front tooth appear whole and healthy when placed over it. To apply a veneer, the dentist will first remove enamel from the tooth's surface. 

Then they will make impressions and send them to a dental laboratory. After the veneer is made, the dentist will place it over the tooth at a later appointment.

5. Root Canal and Dental Crown

A large fracture involving multiple tooth cusps may require a crown. A crown is a cover or "cap" that fits over the damaged tooth's remainder. 

If the fracture exposes the dentin or the pulp, bacteria in the mouth could infect the pulp. A root canal may be necessary if the pulp is irreversibly damaged and dying.

A root canal involves removing the pulp and replacing it with a rubber‑like material called gutta‑percha. After the root canal procedure, a dentist will place a crown to protect the tooth.

6. Onlay

A dentist may use a dental onlay on molars that have lost a significant portion of their substance or have a large crack.

Dental onlays, like crowns or veneers, are typically made of porcelain or zirconia ceramics. These are created in a lab.

7. Tooth Splint

A tooth splint may be a possible solution for a cracked tooth if there is damage to the surrounding bones and gums. 

It can bond a damaged tooth to an adjacent healthy tooth. This procedure allows the bones and gums around the teeth to recover from trauma.

Is A Broken Tooth an Emergency?

If there is no pain or bleeding and the tooth has only sustained a small amount of damage to the enamel, you can wait a day or so as long as you practice proper oral hygiene.

However, you should immediately go to an emergency dentist if these symptoms are present:

• Pain or bleeding
• A significant break extending into the dentin or pulp
• A tooth that was completely knocked out
• Difficulty breathing or eating
• Problems bringing your teeth together when closing your mouth

What Can You Do While Waiting for the Dentist?

When facing a tooth fracture, take these practical steps right away to minimize discomfort and reduce risks:

• Rinse with warm salt water — This reduces bacteria and cleans debris around the break.
• Apply pressure — Putting pressure on bleeding gums or soft tissues around the fractured tooth can help stop bleeding.
• Take NSAIDs (ibuprofen) or acetaminophen — This helps control inflammation and pain. Avoid placing aspirin directly on your tooth, as this can damage sensitive tissue.
• Use temporary dental wax or an over-the-counter tooth repair kit — Smooth sharp tooth edges that irritate your cheek or tongue.
• Avoid hard, hot, cold, or sticky foods — Extreme temperatures or tough foods can worsen discomfort or further damage the broken tooth.
• Watch for swelling or fever — Facial swelling, fever, or severe pain signals a dental emergency. Contact your dentist or visit an emergency dental center immediately.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Broken Tooth?

Below is a table comparing the costs of different methods to fix a broken tooth.

Insurance and Financing Tips

Depending on your plan, insurance will cover the cost of medically necessary treatments. Most plans usually cover 50% to 80% of the procedure's costs. 

Listen In Q&A Format

Fixing a Broken Tooth

NewMouth Podcast

Remember to ask your insurance provider about coverage before scheduling an appointment. If you don’t have insurance, you can use alternative payment methods such as:

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) 
• In-office financing
• Dental discount plans
• Dental school clinics

How to Prevent A Broken Tooth?

Protecting your teeth after repair prevents costly repeat treatments. Try these dentist-approved tips:

• Night-guard ⁠— Wearing a night‑guard helps protect teeth from the force of grinding (bruxism).
• Avoid chewing hard objects ⁠— Ice cubes, popcorn kernels, olive pits, and pens can all cause unexpected fractures.
• Regular dental checkups ⁠— Routine exams and fluoride treatments strengthen tooth enamel, reducing the risk of damage.
• Sports mouthguard ⁠— Always wear one during contact sports or activities with injury risks to safeguard teeth from trauma.