A broken or chipped tooth is more than a cosmetic concern, it can affect your bite, comfort, and long-term oral health. At Eastern Dental Group in Wantirna South, we assess the extent of the damage and recommend the most conservative treatment that restores function and appearance.
Call (03) 9887 0822Treatment depends on the size and location of the fracture and how much healthy tooth structure remains.
A tooth-coloured composite resin applied directly to repair minor chips and small cracks.
Custom-made porcelain shells that cover and protect the front surface of a damaged tooth.
A durable cap that restores a tooth's shape, size, and strength for larger fractures.
When the damage reaches the pulp, root canal treatment can save the tooth and prevent further infection.
For teeth too damaged to save, an implant offers a long-term replacement option.
Prompt assessment and treatment for sudden breaks, chips, or fractures.
Fractures vary a lot in severity, from something that just needs monitoring to a break that changes the treatment plan entirely.
Craze line. A superficial crack in the outer enamel that's usually painless and needs only monitoring.
Chipped tooth. A small piece of enamel breaking away, often from the biting edge.
Fractured cusp. A larger piece breaking off, often around an existing filling.
Cracked tooth. A crack extending from the biting surface toward the root, which can cause sharp pain when biting.
Split tooth. A more advanced fracture that has divided the tooth into distinct segments.
Vertical root fracture. A crack running from the root upward, the most difficult type to treat.
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water and apply a cold compress to the outside of your face if there's any swelling. If a sharp edge is cutting your tongue or cheek, temporary dental wax from a pharmacy can help protect the area. Keep any larger broken fragments and bring them with you. Call us as soon as possible, don't leave a broken tooth untreated, as the exposed area is vulnerable to infection and further damage. Our emergency dental team can help.
No. Unlike bone, teeth can't repair themselves. Once a tooth has chipped, cracked, or broken, the damage is permanent and won't heal without treatment. Left untreated, a broken tooth is likely to get worse over time, the fracture can deepen under normal biting forces, bacteria can enter through the exposed area, and sharp edges can keep irritating your tongue or cheek.
Fractures range from a craze line, a superficial crack in the enamel needing only monitoring, through to chips, fractured cusps, cracked teeth, split teeth, and vertical root fractures, which are the most difficult to treat. The type and extent of the fracture guides the treatment.
Not always. Some cracks, particularly fine craze lines or vertical cracks, aren't visible to the eye and may not even show up on a standard X-ray. A cracked tooth is often noticed through its symptom instead, a sharp, brief pain when biting down in a particular spot, which eases as soon as pressure is released.
Trauma is a common sudden cause, sporting injuries, falls, or biting into something unexpectedly hard like ice or a popcorn kernel. Teeth already weakened by large fillings, decay, or root canal treatment are more prone to fracture under normal biting forces, and teeth grinding places ongoing, excessive force on teeth over time.
Minor chips and small cracks can often be repaired with bonding or a veneer. Larger fractures are typically restored with a crown. If the fracture has reached the pulp, root canal treatment is needed first. Teeth that can't be saved may need to be extracted and replaced with an implant or bridge.
Not always. Small chips on the biting edge can sometimes be repaired with bonding or smoothed down. A fracture involving the cusp of a back tooth or extending toward the gumline will usually need a crown to protect it from further breakage.
Yes. A fracture creates an opening for bacteria to reach the inner layers of the tooth. Signs to watch for include persistent throbbing pain, swelling near the tooth, lingering sensitivity to heat, or a pimple-like bump on the gum. Contact us promptly if you notice any of these.
Wearing a custom-fitted mouthguard during contact sports, avoiding biting on very hard foods, not using your teeth as tools, addressing teeth grinding with a night guard, replacing old fillings before they weaken the tooth further, and keeping up with six-monthly check-ups all help reduce the risk.
Book online, or call us directly on (03) 9887 0822.
Call our friendly team or book online, we'd love to help you find a time that works.
