Chipped or broken teeth

Our teeth are incredibly strong, but they can be chipped, cracked or broken through biting something hard, a fall or being hit in the face, cavities that weaken your tooth or the loss of a filling that leaves the tooth weakened. However it happens, a chipped or broken tooth needs to be seen as soon as possible.

FIRST AID

If you or your child has broken a tooth, contact us immediately. In the meantime, rinse your mouth with warm water and apply a clean piece of gauze to any bleeding for about 10 minutes or until bleeding stops. A cold pack (or a pack of frozen peas) is useful to help stop any swelling and reduce the pain. If you have found the fragment of broken tooth, bring this with you.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The treatment of your chipped or broken tooth will depend on how severely it is damaged. A small or minor chip can often be quickly repaired at the time you visit. A badly damaged tooth may require more than one visit. We’ll go through the best options for your tooth, including costs, at your consultation. And if your treatment will involve more than one visit, we’ll take care of any pain and advise you on caring for your tooth between visits. Some common repair options include:

• Fillings: These are often a very good option for repairing minor cracks, chips or breaks. White fillings are a good option as they are less noticeable and don’t contain mercury. Find out more about fillings here.
• Crowns: If a large piece of tooth breaks off or there is decay involved, it may be worth repairing it with a crown. A porcelain crown covers the entire tooth and helps provide structural support. Find out more about crowns here.
• Veneers: If a front tooth is broken or chipped, we may use a veneer to give a natural-looking, long-lasting result. Porcelain veneers are very strong and can last between 10 and 15 years. Find out more about veneers here.