Chipped or Broken Front Tooth: A chipped or broken front tooth, repaired to suit the size of the break
Most chips can be repaired. The right repair depends on how much tooth is missing and whether the nerve is involved.
- Checked under magnification
- Options explained
- Downtown Edmonton
Quick answer
How is a chipped or broken front tooth repaired?
A small chip is often repaired with tooth-coloured composite using the Bioclear Method. A larger break may need a veneer or a crown made by a dental lab, and a break that reaches the nerve may need root canal therapy first. Traditional hand-shaped bonding is another option you may hear about, which we can discuss and refer for if it suits you better. At Signature Dental in downtown Edmonton, Dr. Rafael Bustamante, a general dentist, examines the tooth and explains each option before treatment.
When to book
Call us during office hours if
- Part of a front tooth has chipped or broken off
- The edge feels sharp or rough against your tongue or lip
- The tooth is sensitive to cold, or hurts when you bite
- An old filling or bonding on the tooth has broken
Before and after
A chipped edge case, completed by Dr. Bustamante
Before 
After Chipped edges repaired
Individual results vary. Your repair depends on your tooth and bite.
Options
Three ways we repair a chip
| Bioclear | Lab-made veneer | Crown | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suits | Small to medium chips, or several teeth | Larger chips, or a change in colour and shape | A large break, or a tooth already heavily filled |
| How it works | Warmed composite shaped in a clear form | A thin porcelain shell made by a dental lab | A cap made by a dental lab that covers the whole tooth |
| Tooth reduction | Little or none in many cases, decided case by case | Usually some enamel is removed | More tooth is reshaped |
| Things to know | Composite can wear, stain or chip | Porcelain can chip or crack | Usually two visits |
Results vary. Traditional hand-shaped bonding is another option you may hear about, which we can discuss and refer for if it suits you better. Dr. Rafael Bustamante is a general dentist whose practice focuses on restorative and aesthetic dentistry, including the Bioclear Method and root canal therapy, with an emphasis on preserving natural tooth structure.
How it works
What happens at your visit
- Step 1
Look closely
Exam under magnification, with an x-ray if the break is deep.
- Step 2
Check the nerve
Cold and bite tests show whether the nerve is affected.
- Step 3
Talk it through
Options, limits and an estimate before you decide.
- Step 4
Repair
Matched to your tooth colour and shaped to your bite.
FAQ
Quick answers
What should I do right after I chip a tooth?
Rinse with warm water and avoid biting on that tooth. Call us during office hours. If the tooth was knocked out, you are bleeding heavily or your face is swollen, get urgent care right away. We are not a 24 hour clinic.
Can the broken piece be bonded back on?
Keep the broken piece in water or milk and bring it in. Sometimes it can be bonded back on, depending on the break.
Can a chipped tooth be fixed in one visit?
A small chip can often be repaired with Bioclear in one visit. Veneers and crowns are made by a dental lab and usually take two visits.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
A small chip without pain is usually not urgent, but have it checked soon so the edge does not break further. Pain, a large break or a pink or red spot in the tooth needs attention sooner.
How long does a chipped tooth repair last?
We cannot promise a time. Composite can wear, stain or chip, and porcelain can chip or crack. Your bite, grinding and habits such as nail biting all play a part.
What if my tooth is cracked rather than chipped?
A crack can cause pain when biting and is assessed differently. See our page on cracked teeth and toothache.
Have your chipped tooth checked
We look at the tooth, explain the options and give you an estimate before any repair.