Biting into something a little too hard, a fall, or a stray elbow during a pickup game there are a hundred ordinary ways a tooth ends up chipped or broken. The good news: in most cases, we can repair it beautifully, often in a single visit. Here’s what to do in the meantime.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Assess the Damage
Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clear away any debris. If there’s a broken piece of tooth, save it in a small container — sometimes it can be reattached.
Step 2: Manage Pain and Protect the Area
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling
- Cover any sharp edges with dental wax or, in a pinch, sugar-free gum, to protect your tongue and cheek
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed, following label directions
Step 3: Call Us Right Away
Even if the tooth doesn’t hurt, a crack can extend below the surface where you can’t see it. The sooner we examine it, the more treatment options like bonding, a crown, or a simple smoothing stay on the table.
What Treatment Might Look Like
Dr. Guzha and our team will evaluate the extent of the break with an exam and, if needed, an X-ray. Many patients are surprised at how natural a repaired tooth can look; as one recent patient put it after a same-visit crown, it “looks completely natural.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a chipped tooth always need a filling or crown? Not necessarily. Small chips can sometimes be smoothed or bonded in one visit, while larger breaks may need a crown for full protection.
Can a broken tooth wait until next week? If it’s not painful and there are no sharp edges, it may be able to wait briefly — but we recommend having it checked within a few days to avoid complications.
What if I can’t find the broken piece? That’s okay. We can still restore the tooth using bonding material or a crown, matched to your natural smile.
Get It Fixed the Same Day
Our Lakewood office on Bridgeport Way is just minutes from Lakewood Towne Center and JBLM, open 7 days a week, Mon & Fri, (5–9 PM), Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun (9 AM–9 PM).
Call +1 (253) 921-9506 now to get your chipped or broken tooth looked at today.