1
Assess the depth
A quick exam and X-ray show whether the chip is enamel only, into dentin, or into the nerve, and whether the root is intact.
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Chipped Tooth: Is It Urgent, and How Is It Repaired?
A chip breaks a piece off a tooth without loosening what remains. Small enamel chips are cosmetic, but a chip that reaches the inner dentin or nerve becomes painful and needs prompt repair.
1-855-219-4656 Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
It depends on how deep it goes. Call 1-855-219-4656 if the tooth hurts, is sensitive to air or cold, shows a pink or red spot at the break, or has a sharp edge cutting your tongue. Those need same-day care. A tiny, painless chip on the edge of a front tooth can wait a few days, but it still needs sealing so the exposed surface does not decay.
Chips happen to careful people too: an olive pit, a frozen candy bar, a stray elbow. The fix is usually simple and fast, and the earlier it is done, the more of your natural tooth the dentist has to work with.
Signs of a chipped tooth
- A rough or sharp edge your tongue keeps finding
- A visible missing corner or a tooth that looks shorter than its neighbor
- Sensitivity to cold air, drinks or sweets if the chip goes past the enamel
- Pain on biting when the chip is on a back tooth
- A pink or red dot in the center of the break, meaning the nerve is exposed
Three layers matter. A chip confined to enamel does not hurt. One that reaches dentin is sensitive and needs covering soon. One that exposes the pulp bleeds or shows pink and needs treatment the same day to save the nerve.
What to do tonight, before you are seen
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Save the fragment in milk or water. Sometimes it can be bonded back on | Do not throw the piece away before the dentist has seen it |
| Cover a sharp edge with dental wax, sugar-free gum or a small piece of paraffin | Do not file the edge down with a nail file or sandpaper |
| Rinse with warm water and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen if it aches | Do not chew on the chipped tooth or bite into anything hard |
| Keep cold and sweet foods away from the tooth if it is sensitive | Do not use superglue or a store-bought kit on a chip that hurts |
How the dentist repairs a chip
2
Rebuild the tooth
Small and medium chips are rebuilt with tooth-colored composite in about 30 to 60 minutes with no drilling into healthy tooth. Larger chips on back teeth may need an onlay or crown.
3
Protect the nerve
If the pulp is exposed, the dentist places a protective liner or starts a root canal, then covers the tooth. A follow-up checks that the nerve has settled.
Chipped tooth repair costs
| Treatment | Without insurance |
|---|---|
| Emergency exam + X-ray | $100–$250 |
| Composite bonding | $150–$500 |
| Temporary crown | $90–$300 |
| Permanent crown (large chip on a back tooth) | $800–$2,000 |
| Root canal (nerve exposed) | $700–$1,500 |
Estimates from partner clinic fee schedules. Your dentist quotes the exact fee before treatment. See the emergency dental cost guide and the no-insurance guide.
Treatments and related guides
Treatments a dentist may use: Broken tooth repair, Lost crown and filling replacement, Pediatric emergency dentist.
Chipped Tooth FAQ
Need help right now? Call 1-855-219-4656, free, 24 hours a day.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
Only when it hurts, is sensitive, shows a pink spot, or has an edge sharp enough to cut your tongue or cheek. Those need same-day attention. A painless enamel chip should be sealed within a week or so.
Can a chipped tooth be fixed the same day?
Usually. Bonding takes well under an hour and you leave with a finished tooth. A crown takes two visits, but a temporary crown protects the tooth in the meantime.
Can the dentist reattach the broken piece?
Sometimes, if the fragment is clean and fits well. Keep it in milk and bring it. If it cannot be reattached, composite matched to your tooth shade gives a similar result.
How long does bonding last on a chipped tooth?
Several years on average, longer if you avoid biting nails, ice and pens. Bonding on a front edge takes the most stress and may need touching up over time.
What happens if I ignore a small chip?
The rough surface traps plaque and can decay. A sharp edge irritates soft tissue. And a crack sometimes hides beneath a chip and spreads under chewing load. Sealing it early is quick and inexpensive.
Medically reviewed by Dr. FULL NAME, DDS. Last reviewed . Sources: Mayo Clinic, Broken or knocked-out tooth, ADA MouthHealthy, Dental Emergencies. Editorial policy.
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