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Dental Trauma

Chipped or Broken Tooth

A chipped or broken tooth ranges from a small rough edge to a painful break. Here's how to handle it, when it's urgent, and how we'll make the tooth whole again.

All Dental Emergencies

First Steps After a Break

Take these simple steps, then give us a call.

1

Rinse gently

Warm water clears the area so you can see what happened.

2

Save the pieces

Keep any fragments in milk or water and bring them with you.

3

Cold compress

On the outside of the cheek for swelling, plus children's pain reliever if needed.

4

Call us

Phone (801) 676-3700 and we'll tell you how soon your child needs to be seen.

Almost always fixable

From smoothing an edge to a full crown, we can restore the tooth.

Same-day when it's urgent

Painful or deep breaks are seen right away.

Comfort comes first

We ease the pain, then repair the damage gently.

When Is It Urgent?

Call us right away if the tooth is painful, bleeding, very loose, or broken deep enough to show a pink or red center. A large break can expose the nerve and may need prompt treatment.

Even a painless chip is worth a visit

A chipped edge can be sharp, weak, or hiding a deeper crack. A quick look lets us smooth and protect the tooth before it worsens.

How We Repair It

Depending on the break, we may smooth a rough edge, bond it with a tooth-colored filling, place a crown, or treat the nerve if it's affected. Whatever the fix, we'll get your child comfortable first and restore the tooth so it looks and feels natural.

Why Quick Repair Matters

A broken tooth is weaker than it looks. Left alone, a crack can spread, the exposed inside can become sensitive or infected, and a simple bonded repair can turn into a bigger one. Seeing us promptly keeps the fix small, and your child out of pain.

Broken teeth look scarier than they are. Save the pieces, give us a call, and we'll make the smile whole again.

Common questions

My child chipped a tooth but it doesn't hurt. Do we still come in?

Yes. Even a painless chip can leave a rough or weakened edge. A quick visit lets us smooth and protect the tooth before it worsens.

Should I save the broken piece?

If you can find it, save it in milk or water and bring it in. In some cases we can use it, and it helps us assess the break.

What if the break is deep and painful?

Call right away. A deep break can expose the nerve, and prompt treatment relieves the pain and saves the tooth.

Where to go next

Knocked-Out Tooth A true time-sensitive emergency.
Emergency Crowns Restore a badly broken tooth.
Same-Day Appointments Urgent care today.
Dental Injuries & Prevention Prevent the next one.

Need to be seen?

Call your office first — most dental emergencies are seen the same day.

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All Dental Emergencies · Dentistry & Orthodontics

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