Chipped or Cracked Tooth? Your Repair Options in Winter Park

Biting into something hard, a fall or an old filling giving way: chipped and cracked teeth are some of the most common reasons people call us. The good news is that most can be repaired, often in a single visit. Here is how to tell what you are dealing with and which repair usually fits.

First: what to do right after it happens

1. Rinse your mouth with warm water.
2. If there is swelling, hold a cold compress on the outside of your cheek.
3. Save any piece of tooth you find and bring it with you.
4. Avoid chewing on that side, and skip very hot, cold or sweet foods.
5. Call us at (407) 629-0002. We set aside time for same-day emergency appointments during office hours.

Go to the ER instead if you have a jaw injury, heavy bleeding that will not stop, or swelling that is spreading or makes it hard to breathe or swallow.

Small chip vs. crack vs. broken tooth

• Small chip on the edge of a front tooth. Usually cosmetic and not painful. Often fixed with bonding.
• Craze lines. Tiny surface lines in the enamel. Usually harmless.
• Cracked tooth. A crack that runs deeper. You may feel a sharp pain when you bite down or let go, or sensitivity to cold. Cracks can get worse, so have them checked soon.
• Broken tooth. A large piece is missing. Usually needs a crown and sometimes more.

Your repair options

Dental bonding

A tooth-colored resin is shaped onto the tooth and hardened with a light. Bonding is usually done in one visit, often without numbing, and is a good fit for small chips and gaps. It can stain or chip over time and may need touch-ups. Learn more about dental bonding in Winter Park.

Porcelain veneers

A thin porcelain shell covers the front of the tooth. Veneers suit chips on front teeth when you also want to change the shape or color, and they resist stains better than bonding. They take more than one visit. See veneers.

Inlays, onlays and crowns

When a back tooth breaks or a crack runs deep, the tooth needs more support. An inlay or onlay repairs part of the tooth, while a crown covers the whole tooth to hold it together.

Root canal treatment

If the crack reaches the nerve, you may need root canal treatment before the crown.

When a tooth cannot be saved

Some cracks run below the gum line. Then we talk about removing the tooth and replacing it, for example with a dental implant.

Which one is right for you?

It depends on where the damage is, how deep it goes and what you want your smile to look like. At your visit we examine the tooth, take an X-ray if needed and explain your options, so you can decide.

Chipped a tooth in Winter Park?

Call Winter Park Dental Arts at (407) 629-0002 or request an appointment. We are at 400 W Morse Blvd, Suite 101, open Monday to Thursday, 9 AM to 4 PM, and Friday, 9 AM to 1 PM.

FAQ section

Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
A small chip without pain is usually not urgent, but call us soon so it does not get worse. Pain, a deep crack or a large break should be seen as soon as possible.

Can a chipped tooth be fixed in one visit?
Small chips are often repaired with bonding in a single visit. Veneers and crowns usually need more than one visit.

Does dental bonding hurt?
Bonding usually does not need numbing because little or no tooth is removed.

Can a cracked tooth heal on its own?
No. Enamel does not grow back, and cracks can spread. Have a cracked tooth checked so it can be protected.