Minor chip — Dental bonding
For small chips that haven't reached the dentin or pulp, tooth-colored composite resin can restore shape and function in a single visit. The result looks and feels natural. Learn more about dental bonding.
A broken tooth needs prompt attention — even if it's not painful yet. The sooner we see you, the better the outcome. Call Minty Smiles for same-day care in Duncanville.
These steps can make a real difference in preserving the tooth and minimizing pain before your appointment.
Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to clean the area and reduce the risk of infection. Don't swish vigorously — be gentle around the injured tooth.
If a large piece broke off, place it in a small container of milk or saliva and bring it with you. In some cases we can bond the fragment back to the tooth.
Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze or a damp cloth if the gum or surrounding tissue is bleeding. Maintain pressure for 10–15 minutes without peeking.
Place an ice pack or cold compress against the outside of your cheek — 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. This reduces swelling and numbs the area slightly to manage pain.
Call us at (469) 759-6964. We'll hold a same-day slot and give you specific instructions based on your situation. Don't wait to see if it gets better on its own.
Don't try to pull a loose fragment out yourself. Don't place aspirin directly against the gum — it causes a chemical burn. Don't ignore a broken tooth even if it isn't painful, as exposed enamel invites rapid decay.
The right treatment depends on which part of the tooth broke and how deep the damage goes. Here's what we typically recommend at each severity level.
For small chips that haven't reached the dentin or pulp, tooth-colored composite resin can restore shape and function in a single visit. The result looks and feels natural. Learn more about dental bonding.
When a significant portion of the tooth is gone, a crown caps and protects the remaining structure. It restores full chewing function and prevents the tooth from breaking further. Learn more about dental crowns.
If the break reaches the pulp chamber where the nerve lives, you'll likely feel significant pain. A root canal removes the infected or inflamed nerve tissue; a crown then protects the tooth long-term. Learn more about root canal therapy.
If the tooth has split vertically below the gumline or is too badly damaged to restore, extraction is the last resort. We'll always explore every option to save the tooth first, and discuss replacement options like implants if extraction is necessary.
Not all broken teeth are equal. Use this guide to understand how quickly you need to be seen.
No pain, sharp edge only
Call within 24 hours. No structural damage, but sharp edges can irritate your tongue and cheek, and the exposed area is vulnerable to decay.
Sensitivity, pain when biting
Call the same day. The dentin layer is likely exposed. Left untreated, bacteria reach the nerve and a simple fix becomes a root canal.
Throbbing, constant, unbearable
Call immediately. An exposed nerve causes acute pain and becomes infected rapidly. This is a true dental emergency requiring same-day treatment.
Explore related emergency conditions and treatments that frequently come up alongside a broken tooth.