If you chipped a tooth, rinse with warm water, save any piece you can find, and press gauze on any bleeding. Avoid chewing on that side and call a dentist the same day. A small chip with no pain can usually wait a day or two. Pain, a large break or a visible pink or red spot inside the tooth means you should be seen right away.
Chipped a tooth today? Call Century Dental East in Pine Beach at (732) 341-6010. We offer same-day emergency dental care for patients from Toms River, Bayville, Beachwood and across Ocean County.
The First Hour
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clear any fragments.
- Find the piece. Rinse it and keep it in a small container of milk or water. Sometimes it can be bonded back on.
- Stop any bleeding with clean gauze and light pressure for about 10 minutes.
- Cover a sharp edge with sugar-free gum or dental wax from the drugstore so it doesn't cut your tongue or cheek.
- Use a cold compress on your cheek if your lip or face is swollen.
- Call us. Describe the chip and any pain, and we'll tell you how soon to come in.
Is a Chipped Tooth an Emergency?
It depends on the size of the chip and what's exposed underneath.
Come in the same day if
- You have strong or throbbing pain
- You see a pink or red dot inside the broken area, which can mean the nerve is exposed
- A large piece broke off, or the tooth feels loose
- Your gum, face or jaw is swelling
- The chip came from a hard blow to the face
It can usually wait a day or two if
- The chip is small and only the edge is rough
- There's no pain, or only mild sensitivity to cold
Even a small chip deserves a visit. A crack can run deeper than it looks, and sharp edges collect plaque.
What Not to Do
- Don't chew hard or sticky food on that side.
- Don't use household glue to reattach a piece.
- Don't file the edge down yourself.
- Don't put aspirin directly on the gum. It can burn the tissue.
How a Chipped Tooth Gets Repaired
The repair matches the size of the damage. Dr. Medlenov checks the tooth, usually with a digital X-ray, and explains your options before starting.
Small chips: bonding
Tooth-colored resin is shaped onto the tooth and hardened with a light. It's often done in one visit with no numbing. Read more about dental bonding in Pine Beach.
Medium breaks: a filling or veneer
If the chip reaches into the tooth, a tooth-colored filling restores it. On a front tooth, a veneer can cover the whole surface for an even look.
Large breaks: a crown
When a big part of the tooth is gone, a dental crown covers and protects what's left. A new crown typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the material.
Nerve involvement: root canal
If the break reaches the nerve, a root canal may be needed before the tooth is rebuilt.
What It Costs
Bonding is usually the simplest and least expensive repair. Fillings, veneers and crowns cost more as the repair gets bigger. Many insurance plans cover part of a chipped tooth repair, especially fillings and crowns. You get a clear estimate before any work begins, and our financial options page explains payment choices.
If You Chipped a Crown
A chipped crown is different from a chipped natural tooth. If your crown cracked or came off completely, our guide to what to do when a crown falls off walks you through the next steps.
Get It Checked Today
Call Century Dental East at (732) 341-6010. We keep room for same-day emergency visits at 241 Washington Avenue, Pine Beach, NJ 08741, close to Toms River, Bayville, Beachwood, Berkeley Township and Ocean Gate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chipped tooth wait until Monday?
A small chip with no pain usually can. Cover any sharp edge, avoid chewing on that side, and call first thing. If you have strong pain, swelling, or see pink or red inside the tooth, get help sooner.
Can the broken piece be glued back on?
Sometimes. Keep the piece in milk or water and bring it to your visit. Dr. Medlenov can often bond it back in place if it fits cleanly.
Does a chipped tooth always need a crown?
No. Most small chips are repaired with bonding or a filling. A crown is for larger breaks where much of the tooth is gone.
Why does my chipped tooth hurt with cold drinks?
The chip exposed the inner layer of the tooth, which reacts to temperature. Room-temperature drinks help until it's repaired. Sharp or lasting pain should be checked the same day.
Will insurance cover a chipped tooth repair?
Many plans cover part of it, especially fillings and crowns. Our front desk checks your plan and gives you an estimate before treatment.
