Broken, chipped or cracked tooth
What to do right now, how urgent it is, and how a broken tooth is fixed at our Woodland Hills office.
At a glance
- Emergencies
- Same-day care for dental emergencies
- Dentist
- Dr. Nader Ahdout, DDS, USC School of Dentistry 1993
- Imaging
- Digital X-rays and a 3D CT scanner in the office
- Comfort
- Nitrous oxide or oral sedation, more than 23 years of experience
- Insurance and payment
- Most PPO and HMO plans and Medi-Cal; CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit
- Call
- (818) 340-3062
Can a broken tooth be fixed?
Most broken, chipped and cracked teeth can be fixed, and the sooner a dentist sees it, the more options you have. A small chip may only need smoothing or a filling. A bigger break usually needs a dental crown to hold the tooth together, and a crack that reaches the nerve may need a root canal first.
Unlike a broken bone, a cracked tooth doesn't heal on its own, so it's worth having it checked even if it doesn't hurt. Dr. Nader Ahdout looks at the tooth on digital X-rays, or on the office's 3D CT scanner when a crack needs a closer look, and tells you plainly what it needs.
See emergency dental careWhat to do right now if you break a tooth
- 1
Rinse gently
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
- 2
Bring the swelling down
Hold a cold compress against your cheek, 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
- 3
Save the piece
If a piece came off, keep it in a small container of milk and bring it with you.
- 4
Protect the tooth
Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold or hard foods until it's checked.
- 5
Call us
Call (818) 340-3062. We see dental emergencies the same day whenever we can.
Go to the ER, or call a dentist?
Most broken teeth are a dentist's job, not the emergency room's. Call us the same day if you have:
- A sharp edge or a piece of tooth missing
- Pain when you bite or release, or with hot and cold
- A tooth that feels loose or moved
- A knocked-out adult tooth (keep it moist and call right away)
- Go to the ER for a broken jaw, heavy bleeding that won't stop, or swelling that affects breathing or swallowing
Chipped, cracked or broken: how each is fixed
Your exam shows which one you have. These are the usual fixes.
Chipped tooth
- What it is
- A small piece of enamel is missing
- Common signs
- A rough or sharp edge
- Usual fix
- Smoothing or a filling
- If it can't be saved
- Rare
Cracked tooth
- What it is
- A line runs into the tooth, sometimes toward the root
- Common signs
- Pain on biting or with hot and cold that comes and goes
- Usual fix
- A crown; a root canal if the crack reaches the nerve
- If it can't be saved
- Removal and a dental implant if the crack goes below the gum
Broken tooth
- What it is
- A large part of the tooth has come off
- Common signs
- A visible gap, often with sensitivity
- Usual fix
- A crown, or a root canal and crown
- If it can't be saved
- Removal and a dental implant or bridge
In a patient’s words
“I've been going to this practice for my dental needs for a long time, and I fully intend to keep coming back. The care and consistency here have always been excellent.”
Anne J., Google review
What fixing a broken tooth costs
The cost depends on how the tooth broke and what it needs: smoothing, a filling, a crown, or a root canal and crown. You'll get a written estimate before anything starts. We accept most PPO and HMO plans and Medi-Cal, and offer payment plans through CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Call (818) 340-3062Broken Tooth FAQs
Yes, most broken teeth can be fixed. A small chip may need smoothing or a filling, a bigger break usually needs a crown, and a break that reaches the nerve may need a root canal first. A tooth that can't be saved can be replaced with a dental implant.
You can't fix a broken tooth at home, but you can protect it until you see a dentist. Rinse with warm water, use a cold compress for swelling, save any piece in milk, and chew on the other side. Then call a dentist the same day.
A broken tooth that hurts, bleeds, has a sharp edge or feels loose should be seen the same day. MedlinePlus advises having any broken or chipped tooth examined right away. Go to the ER only for a broken jaw, heavy bleeding or swelling that affects breathing.
No, a cracked tooth doesn't heal on its own, according to the American Association of Endodontists. Treatment such as a crown protects the tooth and helps stop the crack from spreading.
To ease a toothache from a broken tooth, rinse with warm water, hold a cold compress to your cheek and avoid chewing on that side. Pain that keeps coming back can mean the break has reached the nerve, so call a dentist the same day.
A dentist fixes a broken front tooth based on how much is missing: a small chip can be smoothed or filled with tooth-colored material, and a larger break is usually covered with a crown or a porcelain veneer that matches your other teeth.
The cost to fix a broken tooth depends on what it needs, from smoothing or a filling to a crown or a root canal. You'll get a written estimate first, insurance often covers part of it, and payment plans are available.
Smiles created here
Read more on Google“I had a very positive experience with Dr. Nader. The office was clean and well organized, and the staff were courteous and helpful from the moment I walked in.”
“I had a great experience with Dr. Ahdout and his team. From the initial appointment to X-rays, deep cleaning, and my follow-up visit, everything was handled professionally and with care.”
“I recently had a root canal followed by a filling done by Dr. Ahdout, and I can honestly say he is one of the best dentists I have ever been to…”
“Dr. Ahdout and his team are truly excellent at what they do. From start to finish, their communication is clear, timely, and professional…”
Book a visit with Dr. Ahdout
Call or book online, and we'll find a time that works for you.
Visit our dental office on Ventura Boulevard
Our office is at 22116 Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills, close to Calabasas, Tarzana and West Hills.
Hours
- Monday: 9am–6pm
- Tuesday: 9am–6pm
- Wednesday: 9am–6pm
- Thursday: 9am–6pm
- Friday: 9am–1:30pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed