A broken tooth is more than just a cosmetic issue it can be painful affect your ability to eat or speak properly and if left untreated lead to more serious dental problems. Whether it’s a small chip or a major crack understanding the causes signs and treatment options for broken teeth can help you act quickly and preserve your oral health.
Causes of broken teeth:
- Trauma or accidents: One of the most common causes of chipped or broken teeth often result from sports injuries falls or car accidents.
- Biting hard objects: Chewing on hard foods, ice or using teeth to open packages can lead to cracks and breaks.
- Teeth grinding (bruxism): Long-term grinding especially during sleep wears down enamel and can cause multiple chips and fractures.
- Tooth decay: Untreated cavities weaken the tooth from the inside out, making it brittle and more prone to breaking.
- Old or large fillings: Teeth with large, old fillings may not have enough natural structure to withstand normal chewing pressure leading to breaks.
- Sudden temperature changes: Consuming hot and then cold beverages can stress the enamel and cause it to crack.
- Aging: Natural wear and tear over time makes teeth more vulnerable to damage, especially in people over the age of 50.
Symptoms of a Broken Tooth: In many cases, a broken tooth may not be immediately visible, especially if the fracture is small or located below the gum line. However, certain symptoms can indicate the presence of a fracture or break. Common signs include:
- Sharp pain when biting or chewing often triggered by pressure on the affected tooth.
- Sensitivity to temperature or sweetness particularly when consuming hot cold or sugary foods and beverages.
- Noticeable roughness or sharp edges on the tooth surface, which may be detectable by the tongue.
- Swelling or tenderness in the gums surrounding the affected tooth.
- Intermittent pain or discomfort, which may come and go without an obvious cause.
What to Do If You Break, Crack, or Chip a Tooth:
Immediate Steps and When to See a Dentist” Breaking, cracking or chipping a tooth can be a distressing experience and while the damage may not always be immediately visible or painful it’s important to take prompt action. The American Dental Association recommends rinsing your mouth with warm water right away to clean the affected area. If there is bleeding apply pressure with clean gauze. If the tooth or apiece of it comes out, try to preserve it—put it in milk saline, or even water. A cold compress applied to the face helps reduce swelling and ease pain. For pain relief, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be effective. These medications not only help manage discomfort but also reduce inflammation in the affected area. Be sure to follow the recommended dosage instructions carefully. Most importantly, see a dentist as soon as possible, so they can assess the damage and choose a treatment that restores both your tooth’s health and appearance.
Dental treatments for a broken tooth: There are several ways a dentist can choose to treat a broken or chipped tooth, depending on how severe the damage is. Here are some of the options your dental professional may consider: –
Contouring (Enamel Shaping / Tooth Reshaping) Contouring, also known as enameloplasty or enamel shaping is a cosmetic dental procedure to correct small cosmetic flaws—such as minor chips or uneven edges—by gently reshaping the enamel. The jagged or rough edges are smoothed using fine dental tools—such as a sanding drill diamond burs, or in some cases a laser. Once the uneven portion is removed, the tooth is polished to give it a smooth, natural-looking finish. Because this treatment only modifies the enamel (which has no nerves), it is usually painless. The results are immediate and contouring is often done in a single short visit.
Dental Bonding (Composite Bonding): Composite bonding is a quick minimally invasive procedure used to repair chipped, cracked, discoloured, decayed, or uneven teeth. After selecting a resin colour that matches your natural tooth the surface is gently roughened and treated with a bonding agent. The composite material is then applied moulded to restore shape, and hardened using special light. Once cured, the bonded area is trimmed and polished to blend seamlessly with the rest of the tooth. Usually, no anaesthesia is needed unless the bond covers a cavity or reaches deep near the nerve. With proper care, bonding typically lasts 3-10 years. Limitations of Dental Bonding include the bonding materials are not as durable or stain resistant when compared to alternatives like porcelain veneers or crowns.
Veneers: Veneers are thin shells—usually made of porcelain or composite resin—used to restore front teeth affected by chips, minor cracks or discoloration. On the first visit, the dentist shapes the tooth and takes an impression so the veneer can be custom made. On the second visit, the front surface is prepared, and the veneer is bonded securely in place using special adhesives. Veneers cover the damage, improve shape/colour, and provide a long-lasting, natural appearance Porcelain veneers typically last 10-15 years, depending on care and habits. Patients with teeth grinding habit are not ideal candidates for veneers. When veneers are the preferred treatment of choice patient selection is extremely important as veneers being thin could chip off and the procedure is irreversible.
Onlay An onlay is a conservative restoration used to repair molars or premolars when one or more cusps have cracked or broken, but enough healthy tooth structure remains. It offers stronger support than a filling while preserving significantly more natural tooth than a full crown. Onlays are custom-made from tooth-coloured materials like porcelain or ceramic to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Because they only cover the damaged cusps or chewing surface, onlays retain more enamel and dentin, maintain better structural integrity, and often result in less long-term stress on the tooth. In many cases, an onlay can provide durable, natural-looking protection for a number of years.
Crowns: Crowns are one of the most reliable restorative treatments for teeth that are severely broken, cracked, or badly damaged, especially when simple fillings or bonding are no longer enough and the patient feels pain while chewing or drinking. A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers the visible part of the tooth, protecting what remains and restoring its strength, function, and appearance. Often, if the damage has reached the nerve or caused infection, a root canal treatment (RCT) is done first, and then the tooth is shaped to accommodate the crown. At Solitaire Family Dentistry, we use tooth-coloured porcelain crowns that are precisely crafted to blend with your adjacent teeth for a natural, uniform look. With proper care (good oral hygiene, avoiding hard foods, addressing teeth-grinding), crowns can last 5-15 years.
Root canal treatment (RCT): If a crack or break in a tooth extends into the pulp—the soft tissue containing nerves and blood vessels—the tooth often requires a root canal treatment to remove the damaged or infected pulp. Without treatment, infection can spread, causing abscesses, swelling, bone loss, and significant pain. After the root canal, a crown is typically placed to protect the tooth from further damage; until then, atemporary crown may be used. Modern dental techniques make RCT far less painful than often believed. Success rates of root canal treatment are high—generally around 85-95% under good conditions.
Extraction: If the tooth has lost too much structure, if a crack extends below the gum line, or if a root is broken, extraction might be necessary. A dental implant after extraction is often the best treatment for long-term dental health. Implants can prevent shifting in the surrounding teeth, difficulties with eating and speaking, and loss of bone beneath the missing tooth.
Note: A broken or chipped tooth can be more than just uncomfortable—it can lead to serious dental issues if not treated promptly. At Solitaire Family Dentistry in KPHB, Hyderabad we specialize in restoring damaged teeth with gentle, effective, and personalized treatment options. We have all the necessary equipment, advanced technology and expert dental professionals to provide the right treatment. Whether it’s due to an injury, decay, or biting something hard, we’ll assess the damage and recommend the best solution—be it bonding, crowns, or other restorative care.
Call : 6281 497 455 today to book your appointment. We are here to help restore and maintain your smile with the highest standard of care—because your smile matters to us.