A broken or cracked tooth is a dental emergency. The sooner you get help, the higher the chance of saving the tooth. Actions taken in the first 30–60 minutes directly affect the outcome.
Types of fractures
- Enamel crack — superficial damage, mostly aesthetic
- Enamel-dentin fracture — yellow layer visible, sensitivity begins
- Fracture reaching the pulp — red spot visible, severe pain
- Root fracture — not visible externally, diagnosed by X-ray
- Complete avulsion — tooth knocked out
First 30 minutes — what to do
- Save the fragment — in milk, saliva or saline
- Gently rinse the mouth with warm water
- Bleeding — apply pressure with clean gauze for 10 minutes
- Cold compress on the cheek for swelling
- Painkiller (ibuprofen) as directed
- See a dentist within one hour — especially for complete fractures
If the tooth is fully knocked out (avulsion)
- Hold the tooth only by the crown, not the root
- If dirty, rinse under cold water for 10 seconds (do not scrub)
- If possible, place the tooth back in its socket and hold with gauze
- If not possible — store in milk
- To the dentist within 30 minutes — best chance to save the tooth
Treatment options
- Composite restoration — small cracks
- Zirconia or E-max crown — significant loss
- Root canal + crown — pulp-reaching fracture
- Surgical extraction + implant — root fracture
Read more
Urgent consultation | +994 10 208 01 04
