Emergency Care
Broken, Chipped & Cracked Teeth
Prompt Assessment and Treatment
If you experience significant swelling, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain, seek urgent dental or medical attention.
A broken, chipped or cracked tooth can happen unexpectedly after biting something hard, a sporting injury or trauma.
Some teeth cause immediate pain, while others may have little or no discomfort. Even if your symptoms are mild, it's important to have the tooth assessed, as untreated damage can worsen over time.
At Junction Village Dental, we provide prompt assessment and personalised treatment to restore your tooth, relieve discomfort and help prevent further damage.
What Should I Do If I Chip or Crack a Tooth?
If you've broken, chipped or cracked a tooth:
- Contact our practice to arrange an appointment.
- Avoid chewing on the affected side.
- Keep the area as clean as possible.
- If part of a front tooth has broken off, store the fragment in milk or saline (if available) and bring it with you to your appointment.
If you experience significant swelling, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain, seek urgent dental or medical attention.
Types of Tooth Damage
Not all broken teeth are the same. The most appropriate treatment depends on the location and extent of the damage.
Minor Chips
Small chips often affect only the outer enamel and may not cause pain. Depending on the size and location, they can often be carefully smoothed or repaired with tooth-coloured composite bonding.
Cracked Teeth
Cracks may extend deeper into the tooth and can cause pain when biting or sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods. Early assessment is important, as some cracks can progress over time if left untreated.
Broken or Fractured Teeth
A broken or fractured tooth may occur following trauma, a sporting injury or biting on something hard. Teeth with large fillings or previous restorations are sometimes more susceptible to fracture.
More significant fractures may involve the deeper layers of the tooth and require restorative treatment. The most appropriate treatment depends on the extent of the damage, how much healthy tooth structure remains and whether the nerve has been affected.
What Happens at Your Appointment?
During your visit, we will:
- Carefully examine the affected tooth
- Assess your symptoms
- Take digital dental x-rays if clinically indicated
- Explain our findings
- Discuss the treatment options available
Our goal is to relieve discomfort where possible, stabilise the tooth and clearly explain the next steps.
Treatment Options
Management depends on the severity and location of the damage.
Treatment may include:
- Smoothing sharp or rough edges
- Composite bonding
- Tooth-coloured fillings
- A temporary restoration followed by treatment planning for a longer-term restoration, such as a crown or veneer
- Root canal treatment if the dental pulp (nerve) has been affected
- Tooth removal where the tooth cannot be predictably restored
We'll explain all suitable treatment options and answer any questions before proceeding.
Preventing Further Damage
Following treatment, we may recommend strategies to help protect your teeth from future damage, including:
- Avoiding hard foods
- Replacing large failing fillings
- Wearing a custom-made occlusal splint if you clench or grind your teeth
- Wearing a custom sports mouthguard during contact sports
Regular dental examinations can also help identify weakened teeth before they fracture.
Book an Appointment
If you've broken, chipped or cracked a tooth, contact our team as soon as possible for an assessment. We aim to accommodate urgent dental concerns promptly and will work with you to restore your tooth as quickly and comfortably as possible.
