Cracked, Chipped or Broken Tooth: What Repair Fits Each Break?

What is the difference between a chipped tooth and a cracked tooth?

A chip is a small piece of enamel that has broken off. A crack is a break that runs through the tooth. Cleveland Clinic defines a chipped tooth as a fragment of tooth enamel that has broken off, and says a cracked or fractured tooth involves a break that runs through your tooth.

Either one can be harmless or serious. Cleveland Clinic says you need a dental visit to know which. A chipped tooth may only look rough. A crack can lead to infection if it reaches the inside of the tooth.

Dentists also use the term cracked tooth syndrome for pain that comes from a crack, and the word fractured tooth for any break. The labels matter less than the depth and the symptoms.

What types of cracks are there?

Dentists sort cracks into groups by where and how deep they run. Cleveland Clinic names five. The table shows what each means in plain words.

Cleveland Clinic says cracked teeth do not always cause symptoms. That is one reason to mention any crack you notice, even if the tooth feels fine.

What are the signs of a cracked or chipped tooth?

Signs include a rough edge you can feel with your tongue, a missing fragment, pain when you bite, and sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods. Cleveland Clinic says losing a fragment large enough to expose the nerve can cause tooth pain.

Cleveland Clinic says a cracked tooth may cause pain and swelling, and the tooth may feel sensitive to temperature changes or sweet foods.

Do not try to diagnose yourself. Cleveland Clinic lists how dentists do it: they ask about symptoms, ask you to bite on a stick, look for cracks, check the gums, and take dental X-rays. They may also use a dye or a light to see the crack.

What causes a tooth to crack or chip?

Common causes are biting hard foods, injury and wear. Cleveland Clinic lists biting hard foods such as ice, candy and popcorn kernels, a blow to the mouth, and teeth grinding. It also lists age, since teeth wear down over time, and dental work such as large fillings or a root canal without a crown.

Habits can play a role too. Chewing ice, opening packages with your teeth and biting your nails all put stress on enamel. If you grind your teeth, our guide on teeth grinding explains how a night guard fits in.

What should you do right away?

Rinse, save the pieces, protect the area and call. These steps come from the ADA and Cleveland Clinic.

1. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. The ADA lists this as the first step for a cracked tooth.
2. Save any broken pieces and bring them with you. Cleveland Clinic says to save and rinse them.
3. Place an ice pack on the outside of your mouth to reduce swelling.
4. Rinse with salt water. Cleveland Clinic lists this to clean your teeth.
5. If a sharp edge cuts your tongue or cheek, cover it with orthodontic wax from a pharmacy.
6. Take a pain reliever as the label directs, if you need one.
7. Call your dentist. Cleveland Clinic says you cannot fix a chipped or cracked tooth at home.

When is it an emergency? Cleveland Clinic says a badly cracked tooth may be a dental emergency, and a chip with no pain can wait for your dentist. Severe pain, swelling or a fever needs prompt care. Our dental emergency guide covers when to use an emergency room.

What repair options fit each break?

Treatment depends on the damage. Cleveland Clinic says options range from no treatment for small chips to major dental work. The table below puts the choices side by side. Your dentist decides which fits after an exam.

After removal, your dentist can talk with you about replacing the tooth with a bridge or implant. Cleveland Clinic says replacing a tooth with an implant can take months.

How do bonding and crowns compare for a chipped tooth?

Bonding uses a tooth-colored material that is shaped onto the tooth. A crown covers the whole tooth. Cleveland Clinic says bonding fills in chips and can improve the look of minor ones, and that a crown may be used if you lose a large fragment.

Bonding often fits smaller breaks, and a crown often fits bigger ones. Your dentist will look at how much healthy tooth is left, where the tooth sits in your bite, and how much force it takes. Back teeth bite harder than front teeth.

The practice describes these treatments on its dental bonding page and dental crown page. Our guide on crown, filling or onlay explains how dentists choose between them.

What happens at the dental visit?

The visit starts with questions and a close look. Cleveland Clinic says a dentist will ask about your symptoms and possible causes, check the tooth for signs of cracks and damage, and examine your gums for inflammation. Vertical cracks can irritate the gums.

Tests may follow. Cleveland Clinic lists a bite test with a stick to see whether biting causes pain, a stain dye to show the crack, a light passed through the tooth, and dental X-rays. A periodontal probe can also help find a crack by measuring bone loss around the tooth.

You can help the team by noting when the tooth hurts: when you bite, when you let go, with cold, with heat, or on its own. Say when the break happened and what you were doing. Then the dentist will talk with you about what the findings mean and which repair options fit.

What about a chipped front tooth you want to look better?

A small chip in a front tooth is often a looks issue before it is a health issue. Cleveland Clinic says slightly chipped teeth do not usually cause major problems, but they can make you self-conscious about how your teeth look.

Options for looks include polishing for tiny chips, bonding with matching resin, and veneers that cover the front of the tooth. Cleveland Clinic says veneers may be needed for a minor chip that needs more covering than bonding gives. A crown may be used for a larger loss.

Ask your dentist how each option would look and how long it may last in your mouth. Shade, shape and bite all matter. The practice also lists cosmetic services such as veneers and bonding on its dental bonding page.

What if a filling, crown or bridge breaks?

A broken restoration is a related problem. Cleveland Clinic says that if you have a broken dental crown or bridge, you should make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible and bring the restoration with you.

For a lost filling, Cleveland Clinic suggests sugarless gum in the cavity or an over-the-counter dental cement until you are seen. Do not use super glue. Our dental emergency guide has more on these cases.

What should you ask your dentist?

Bring a short list. It helps you leave with a plan you understand.

1. Is this a chip, a crack or a split? How deep does it go?
2. Is the nerve involved? What did the X-ray show?
3. What are my options, and what does each one involve?
4. How many visits will each option take?
5. What will protect the tooth between visits?
6. What happens if I wait?
7. How will fees and insurance work? The practice gives each patient their own estimate.

Write down the answers. If your tooth needs more than one visit, ask what to avoid chewing on until it is done.

How long does repair take?

It varies. Cleveland Clinic says repair can take weeks or months, depending on treatment. A crown can sometimes be fitted in a day but often takes several appointments. Making a veneer usually takes three to four weeks before it can be fitted. Replacing a removed tooth with an implant can take months.

Ask your dentist for a schedule at the first visit. Ask what temporary protection you will have between visits.

Do you always need treatment?

No, but you should always have it checked. Cleveland Clinic says you may not need treatment for a crack that does not cause infection, does not cause pain, and does not run deep, such as a hairline crack. It also says you should always talk to a dentist if you have symptoms or notice a crack.

Do not wait if the tooth hurts, if the gum is swollen, or if you see a dark spot. A chip or crack that exposes the inside of the tooth can let bacteria in and cause an infection, per Cleveland Clinic.

How can you prevent chipped and cracked teeth?

Cleveland Clinic says you cannot always keep from chipping a tooth, but you can lower the odds. Wear a mouth guard during contact sports. Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. Avoid hard foods if your teeth are weak, and use your teeth only for biting and chewing.

Regular exams matter, since a dentist can spot a weak filling or a worn tooth before it breaks. If you play sports, ask your dentist about a mouth guard.

Next step

If a tooth is chipped, cracked or broken, call Town Center Dental at (636) 273-5866 during office hours, Monday to Thursday. You can also request an appointment. Read about the practice’s dental bonding service. If you have severe pain, swelling, a fever, or trouble breathing or swallowing, use an emergency room.