By Dr. Harsh Patel, Next Care Dental
A chipped tooth can happen in a second: biting into something hard, a fall, a sports hit, or an old filling that finally gives way. The good news is that most chips can be repaired, and many repairs take just one visit.
Here’s what to do right away, how to tell if it’s an emergency, and the repair options we use at our Westheimer office.
What to Do Right After You Chip a Tooth
- Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
- Save any pieces you can find in a clean container and bring them with you. Sometimes a piece can be bonded back on.
- Stop bleeding by pressing a piece of clean gauze on the area for about 10 minutes.
- Use a cold pack on the outside of your cheek if your lip or face is swelling.
- Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax so they don’t cut your tongue or cheek.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if you need one, following the directions on the label.
- Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold or hard foods until the tooth is checked.
Is a Chipped Tooth an Emergency?
A small chip with no pain can usually wait a few days for a regular visit. Call us the same day if you have:
- Strong or throbbing pain, or pain when you bite
- Sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers
- A large piece of the tooth missing
- A pink or red spot in the middle of the break (this can mean the nerve is exposed)
- Swelling in your gum or face
- A tooth that feels loose or has been pushed out of place
If a whole tooth has been knocked out, call us right away. The sooner you’re seen, the better the chance of saving it. See our emergency dentist page for what to do.
Go to the emergency room instead if you have a jaw injury, a head injury, heavy bleeding that won’t stop, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
Chipped Tooth Repair Options
The right repair depends on how big the chip is, where it is, and whether the nerve is involved. After an exam and X-rays, we’ll explain your options and the cost before we start.
Smoothing and Polishing
For a tiny chip on the edge of a tooth, we can often smooth and reshape the rough spot. Tooth contouring is quick and usually doesn’t need numbing.
Dental Bonding
For small to medium chips, especially on front teeth, we use dental bonding: tooth-colored material shaped right onto your tooth and hardened with a light. It’s matched to your tooth color and is usually done in one visit.
Tooth-Colored Filling
If the chip is on a back tooth or happened where there was already a cavity or an old filling, a tooth-colored filling can rebuild the missing part.
Dental Crown
When a large part of the tooth breaks off, or the tooth is cracked, a crown covers and protects the whole tooth so it doesn’t break further. Back teeth that take a lot of chewing force often need one.
Root Canal and Crown
If the break reaches the nerve, the tooth may need a root canal to remove the injured nerve, followed by a crown. Dr. Patel does root canals here in our office, including on molars.
When a Tooth Can’t Be Saved
If the crack goes too far below the gum line, the tooth may need to come out. If that happens, we’ll talk you through ways to fill the gap, such as a bridge or a partial denture.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait Too Long
Tooth enamel doesn’t grow back, so a chip won’t heal on its own. A chipped edge can crack further, trap food, or let bacteria reach the inside of the tooth. Fixing a small chip early is usually simpler and costs less than repairing a bigger break later.
Chipped Tooth Questions
Does a small chip need to be fixed?
Not always. If it’s tiny, smooth and doesn’t hurt, it may only need polishing or nothing at all. It’s still worth having it checked to make sure there’s no crack underneath.
Will insurance cover a chipped tooth repair?
Most PPO plans cover part of repairs like fillings and crowns. We accept most PPO plans and many Medicare Advantage plans, and we check your benefits before treatment. Financing is available through CareCredit, Sunbit and Cherry.
How much does it cost to have it checked?
Our self-pay emergency exam is $59 and includes a panoramic X-ray and a single-tooth X-ray. This price can’t be combined with insurance.
Can I come in today?
Yes. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday, and we offer same-day emergency visits. We’re at 9650 Westheimer Rd, Suite 100, next to Randall’s, open Monday–Thursday 8 AM–5 PM and Friday 8 AM–3 PM. Call or text (713) 952-0522. Hablamos español.