Cracked or Chipped Tooth? What to Do Before Your Dentist Visit
Written/reviewed by Arezoo Sotoodeh, DMD
One bite of a hard pretzel, a popcorn kernel or a fall on the playground, and suddenly part of your tooth is gone. Cracked and chipped teeth are some of the most common dental emergencies we see in Littleton. The good news is that most can be repaired, and often in just one visit.
Chipped vs. Cracked: What's the Difference?
- Chipped tooth: a small piece of enamel breaks off. It may feel sharp but often isn’t painful.
- Cracked tooth: a crack runs into the tooth. It may hurt when you bite down or release, or feel sensitive to hot and cold.
- Broken or split tooth: a large piece breaks off or the tooth splits. This is more likely to involve the nerve and usually needs prompt care.
Cracks aren’t always visible. If a tooth hurts sharply when you chew or let go of a bite, it may be cracked even if it looks fine.
What to Do Right Away
- Rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Apply a cold compress to your cheek if there’s swelling or pain.
- Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax (found at most pharmacies) to protect your tongue and cheek.
- Chew on the other side and stick to soft foods.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as directed on the label, if needed.
- Call us to schedule an emergency visit.
Why You Shouldn't Wait
Even if it doesn’t hurt much, a cracked tooth can get worse every time you bite. A small crack can grow into a split that reaches below the gum line, and at that point the tooth may not be savable. Cracks also let bacteria in, which can lead to an infection.
How We Repair Cracked and Chipped Teeth
Treatment depends on the size and loca on of the damage:
- Bonding or a filling for small chips.
- A crown for larger breaks or cracks, to hold the tooth together and protect it.
- A root canal if the crack has reached the nerve.
- An extraction if the tooth is split too deep to save, followed by replacement options like an implant.
Same-Day Crowns With CEREC
Traditionally, a crown meant two visits and a temporary crown in between. At Southwest Family Dentistry, we use CEREC technology to design, mill and place a custom crown in a single visit. For many patients with a cracked or broken tooth, that means walking in with a problem and leaving with it fixed.
Southwest Family Dentistry 9200 W Cross Drive, Suite 300, Littleton, CO 80123
Call (303) 973-5859 or book online. New patients are welcome for emergency visits.
Frequently asked questions
A small chip without pain can usually wait a few days, but call us to have it checked. A large break, a crack that hurts or a tooth with exposed nerve should be seen the same day.
No. Unlike bones, teeth can't repair cracks. Treatment protects the tooth from getting worse.
Common signs are sharp pain when biting or releasing a bite, sensitivity to hot or cold, or pain that comes and goes. An exam and X-rays help us find cracks you can't see.
Often, yes. With our in-office CEREC system, many patients receive a permanent crown the same day.
That's okay. We don't need the piece to repair the tooth, so come in anyway.
Whatever Cleaning You Need, We’ve Got You
Anxious about a deep cleaning? Our No-Judgment Guarantee means gentle numbing, a clear explanation of every step, and zero lectures about how you got here.
Worried about cost without insurance? Our In-Office Dental Plan gives uninsured patients an affordable path to the periodontal care they need.
Ready to protect your smile? Schedule online or call our Littleton, CO office today.
Sources – Cleveland Clinic. (2023, April 20). Bleeding gums: Causes & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. clevelandclinic.org
Cleveland Clinic. (2023, April 20). Gingivitis: Symptoms & how to treat it. Cleveland Clinic. clevelandclinic.org
Mayo Clinic. (2023, February 24). Gingivitis – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. mayoclinic.org
Mayo Clinic. (2023, February 24). Periodontitis – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. mayoclinic.org
