Broken or Chipped Tooth Repair in North York
A chip can be tiny or a break can expose the inside of the tooth. Either way, a quick check helps protect the tooth and keep your options open.
A broken or chipped tooth in North York can often be repaired with bonding, a filling or a crown, depending on how much of the tooth is lost. At Emerald Forest Dental, your dentist checks the break, takes an X-ray and looks at the nerve. Call us soon, save any pieces and avoid chewing on that side.
- Typical time
- Small repairs often 30–60 minutes; larger repairs may take more than one visit
- Who it's for
- Anyone with a chipped, cracked or broken tooth
- Coverage
- Repairs are often partly covered by insurance; check your plan
- Recovery
- Usually none for bonding; a few days of tenderness after larger repairs
About broken or chipped tooth
Teeth break in different ways. A small chip off the edge of a front tooth may only affect the outer enamel. A larger break can reach the dentin underneath, which often feels sensitive to air and cold. A deep break may expose the pulp, the soft centre with the nerve, and can bleed or hurt a lot. Back teeth with large old fillings can also split when you bite something hard.
Right after the break, rinse your mouth with warm water and find any tooth pieces. Keep them in a clean container with milk or water and bring them with you. If there is bleeding, press gently with gauze. A cold pack on your cheek can help swelling. If a sharp edge is cutting your tongue or cheek, cover it with dental wax or a small piece of sugarless gum until you can be seen.
How the tooth is fixed depends on the break. Small chips are often smoothed or repaired with tooth-coloured bonding. Larger breaks may need a filling or a crown to protect what is left. If the nerve is exposed or damaged, root canal treatment may come first. When a tooth splits below the gum line, it sometimes cannot be saved, and your dentist will talk about replacement options.
Call us soon if
- A piece of tooth has broken off
- The tooth hurts when you bite or release
- The tooth is suddenly sensitive to cold or air
- There is a sharp edge cutting your tongue or cheek
- You see pink or red at the centre of the break
Benefits
- Early repair can stop a small break from growing
- Repairs are matched to your natural tooth colour
- Your dentist checks the nerve, not just the surface
- Small chips can often be fixed in one visit
What to expect
- Call and describe the breakTell us which tooth, how it happened and whether it hurts, so we can plan your visit.
- Examine the toothYour dentist looks at the break and checks nearby teeth and your bite.
- Take an X-rayImages show whether the break reaches the root or nerve.
- Choose a repairYou hear the options, such as bonding, a filling, a crown or root canal treatment.
- Repair or protectThe tooth is repaired, or covered with a temporary until the final repair is ready.
Aftercare
- Avoid biting hard foods, ice or pens with the repaired tooth.
- Wear a sports mouthguard for contact sports to protect your teeth.
- Tell us if the tooth later turns darker or starts to ache, which can be a sign the nerve was affected.
Cost and coverage
The fee depends on the size of the break and the repair it needs, from a quick bonding to a crown with root canal treatment, and the ODA suggested fee guide is usually the reference. Insurance often helps with repairs to broken teeth, and we can check your plan for you. If you are a CDCP member, bring your details and we can look into what it covers. If you need a larger repair, LendCare payment plans are an option.
Our promise: we confirm your coverage and explain the cost before treatment.
Your dental team
Dr. Hamed Jannati, DDS
General Dentist
Dr. Ye Zhang, DDS
General Dentist
Dr. Kasra Badii, DDS
General Dentist
Treatment is provided by our dentists. Dr. Ardeshir Ranjbari is a registered specialist in periodontics; our other dentists are general dentists. Some complex cases may be referred to a specialist.
Broken or Chipped Tooth FAQ
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
A small chip without pain can usually wait a few days, but call us to book. A large break, severe pain, bleeding from the centre of the tooth or a break from a hard blow should be seen soon.
Can the broken piece be glued back on?
Sometimes, if it is a clean break and the piece is kept moist. Bring it with you in milk or water. Your dentist will decide whether reattaching it or using bonding is the better repair.
My tooth broke but does not hurt. Should I still come in?
Yes. A tooth can break without pain and still be weak or open to bacteria. Fixing it early can keep a small problem from turning into a larger one.
Why does my tooth hurt only when I bite?
Pain on biting or releasing is a common sign of a crack. Cracks can be hard to see, so your dentist may test the tooth in a few ways. Early care can stop the crack from spreading.
What if I hit my face hard?
If you hit your head or face hard, were knocked out or feel your jaw is broken, go to a hospital emergency department first. Once that is cleared, call us about your teeth.
Trusted health information
Related services
Broken or Chipped Tooth near you
We see patients from across North York and nearby areas, including North York, Don Mills, Parkway Forest, Henry Farm, Willowdale, Scarborough, Richmond Hill, Markham.
This page is general information and is not a substitute for an exam. Your dentist will recommend what's right for you. Reviewed by: Dr. Hamed Jannati, DDS. Last updated 2026-10-26.
Book broken or chipped tooth in North York
New patients welcome. We'll confirm your coverage before treatment.