Meta title: Chipped Tooth: What to Do and Repair Options | Melrose Advanced Dentistry Meta description: Chipped or broken a tooth? Here’s what to do right away, whether it’s an emergency, and how dentists repair chips with bonding, veneers or crowns. Slug: /chipped-tooth-repair Target keyword: chipped tooth Secondary keywords: broken tooth, chipped front tooth, chipped tooth repair, is a chipped tooth an emergency
If you chip a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water, save any broken pieces, and call your dentist. A small chip with no pain is not usually an emergency but should be seen within a few days. A large break, bleeding from the tooth or severe pain needs same-day care, as the nerve may be exposed.
What to do right after you chip a tooth
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water.
- Save the fragment in milk or a clean container. It can sometimes be bonded back on.
- Control bleeding by pressing gauze on the area for 10 minutes.
- Reduce swelling with a cold compress on your cheek.
- Cover sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax to protect your tongue and cheek.
- Take an over-the-counter painkiller if needed, as directed on the label.
- Call your dentist.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
| Situation | How urgent |
|---|---|
| Small chip, no pain | See a dentist within a few days |
| Sharp edge cutting your tongue | See a dentist soon; cover the edge meanwhile |
| Large break or visible pink or red centre | Same day, the nerve may be exposed |
| Severe pain or swelling | Same day |
| Injury to the jaw or face | Emergency room |
How chipped teeth are repaired
- Polishing smooths a very small chip.
- Bonding uses tooth-coloured composite to rebuild the missing part, usually in one visit.
- Reattaching the fragment may be possible if you kept it.
- A veneer covers the front of a chipped front tooth for a seamless finish.
- A crown protects a tooth with a large break.
- Root canal treatment is needed if the nerve has been damaged.
How to prevent chipped teeth
Wear a mouthguard for contact sports, a night guard if you grind, and avoid biting ice, hard sweets, bottle tops and pens.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chipped tooth heal on its own? No. Enamel cannot regrow, so a chip needs a dentist to repair it.
Does fixing a chipped tooth hurt? Bonding often needs no anaesthetic at all. Larger repairs are done with the area numbed.
What if I leave a small chip? It can trap plaque, crack further or irritate your tongue, so it’s best to have it checked.
Chipped a tooth? Call Melrose Advanced Dentistry in Melrose, Johannesburg on 072 200 1774 for a prompt appointment, or book at advanced-dentistry.co.za.