Broken Tooth Repair with Emergency Dentistry in Pearland, TX

When a Broken Tooth Becomes a Dental Emergency

A broken tooth can happen when you least expect it—biting into something hard, getting hit in the mouth, or even grinding your teeth at night. But no matter how it happens, it’s never something to ignore.

 

At Pearland Dental Group, our emergency dentists, Dr. Rushi Dave and Dr. Mili Shah, provide same-day emergency dental care to repair chipped, cracked, or broken teeth and prevent long-term complications. Whether it’s a minor chip or a serious fracture, our team restores your oral health and smile with precision, comfort, and care.

 

Call (281) 993-9900 right away if your tooth breaks or you’re experiencing severe pain, swelling, or bleeding. Our Pearland dental office offers urgent care for patients throughout Pearland, Friendswood, and Alvin, TX.

What Happens When a Tooth Breaks

A broken tooth doesn’t just affect your appearance—it can expose the delicate inner layers of your tooth, including the dental pulp, nerves, and blood vessels. Once exposed, bacteria can enter the tooth’s center, leading to infection, inflammation, or even tooth loss if left untreated.

 

Common causes of broken or chipped teeth include:

  • Biting on hard candy, ice, or nuts
  • Sudden trauma from sports or accidents
  • Weakened tooth enamel from cavities or decay
  • Untreated gum disease weakening surrounding bone
  • Teeth grinding (bruxism) that wears down enamel
  • Previous large dental fillings or root canals that compromise strength

 

Even a small crack can worsen over time, turning into a vertical root fracture that requires tooth extraction—so it’s crucial to see a dentist immediately.

Signs You Need Emergency Dental Care

Not every broken tooth feels painful at first—but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to ignore. Some symptoms may appear hours or days later as inflammation builds beneath the gum line.

 

You should call Pearland Dental Group right away if you notice:

  • Sudden or severe tooth pain
  • Sharp edges cutting your tongue or cheek
  • Swelling or bleeding near the tooth
  • Sensitivity to temperature or pressure
  • Visible chips, cracks, or missing pieces
  • Discoloration or a dark line running through the tooth

 

If you’ve suffered trauma and your tooth is knocked out, keep it moist in milk or saliva and bring it to your appointment—sometimes it can be reinserted.

What to Do Right After Breaking a Tooth

If you’ve just broken or chipped your tooth, staying calm and taking the right steps can make a big difference in saving it.

1. Rinse Your Mouth

Gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water to keep the area clean and remove debris. Avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol—it can sting and irritate tissue.

2. Stop Any Bleeding

If bleeding occurs, apply gentle pressure with a gauze pad until it stops.

3. Save Any Pieces

If a piece of the tooth broke off, place it in a small container of milk or saliva and bring it to your emergency appointment. Dr. Dave or Dr. Shah may be able to bond it back.

4. Protect Sharp Edges

Cover any jagged edges with dental wax or sugar-free gum to prevent cutting your mouth.

5. Reduce Swelling

Apply a cold compress or ice pack on the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling and manage pain.

6. Eat Soft Foods

Until you can see a dentist, eat soft foods like yogurt, soup, or mashed potatoes. Avoid hard or sticky foods that can make the break worse.

How Dentists Fix a Broken Tooth

At Pearland Dental Group, we use digital X-rays to determine how deep the crack or break extends. Depending on the damage, Dr. Dave or Dr. Shah may recommend one of several treatment options to restore your tooth’s strength and appearance.

 

1. Dental Bonding (Composite Repair)

For minor chips or cracks, dental bonding offers a quick, affordable solution. Dr. Dave applies a tooth-colored composite resin to the damaged area, shapes it to match your natural tooth, and hardens it with a special curing light.

 

Why patients love bonding:

  • Fast and painless
  • Matches your natural enamel
  • Ideal for front teeth and small chips
  • Protects against further cracking

 

It’s a simple fix that can last years with proper care and regular dental checkups.

 

2. Dental Filling or Cosmetic Contouring

If the chip is small and doesn’t expose the tooth’s root, a dental filling or cosmetic contouring may be all that’s needed. Contouring smooths sharp edges and reshapes minor damage for comfort and symmetry.

 

Best for:

  • Craze lines or tiny cracks
  • Minor chips on front teeth
  • Smoothing jagged edges

 

3. Dental Crowns

When a large portion of a tooth breaks off or the crack extends deep into the structure, a dental crown offers full protection. Crowns are custom-made caps that fit over your remaining tooth, restoring function and appearance.

 

Crowns help:

  • Prevent further breakage
  • Protect against infection
  • Restore chewing strength
  • Improve your smile’s appearance

 

Crowns can be made from porcelain, ceramic, or tooth-colored materials that blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth.

 

4. Root Canal Therapy

If the crack reaches the pulp or your tooth hurts when chewing, you may have an infected pulp or damaged nerve. In this case, a root canal is necessary to save the tooth.

 

During root canal treatment, Dr. Shah or Dr. Dave removes the infected tissue, disinfects the canal, and seals it with a durable filling. The tooth is then covered with a temporary crown or permanent restoration for long-term stability.

 

Root canals prevent:

  • Painful abscesses
  • Spread of infection
  • Need for tooth extraction

 

5. Tooth Extraction and Dental Implants

In cases of deep cracks or split teeth, the damage may be too severe to repair. If a tooth extraction is necessary, our emergency dentists in Pearland can replace the missing tooth with a dental implant—a permanent, natural-looking solution that restores both form and function.

 

Implants protect your jawbone, prevent tooth loss complications, and look just like a natural tooth.

When to Call for Emergency Dental Care

If your tooth breaks, even without pain, it’s important to see a dental professional as soon as possible. Waiting can lead to infection, nerve damage, or tooth loss.

 

Call Pearland Dental Group if you experience:

  • Pain that worsens over time
  • Swelling or bleeding at the gum line
  • A cracked tooth that feels loose
  • Sharp edges cutting your mouth
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold

 

Our team offers same-day emergency appointments to evaluate your condition and provide appropriate treatment to restore your smile quickly.

 

Contact (281) 993-9900 to reach our emergency dentist in Pearland, TX.

Frequently Asked Questions

Emergency dentists prioritize dental emergencies and aim to see patients as soon as possible, often on the same day. In case of a dental emergency, contact your dentist immediately for guidance and scheduling.

Most emergency dentists welcome both existing and new patients seeking emergency dental care. Regardless of your patient status, in case of a dental emergency, contact your local dentist and ask them if they can see you as soon as possible.

Carry a dental emergency kit with essentials like pain relievers, dental cement, floss, and your dentist’s contact information. For off-hour emergencies, follow the provided instructions for reaching an on-call dentist.

Many dental insurance plans cover emergency dental services. It’s highly recommended that you contact your insurance provider to understand your coverage. Your dental team can also assist with insurance-related inquiries.

Compassionate Emergency Dentistry in Pearland, TX

At Pearland Dental Group, your comfort comes first. Whether you’ve chipped a tooth on your morning coffee mug or suffered a more serious injury, Dr. Dave and Dr. Shah provide fast, gentle care designed to restore your natural tooth whenever possible.

 

From dental bonding and crowns to root canal therapy and dental implants, our emergency team has every solution to bring your smile back to health.

 

Call our emergency dentists in Pearland at (281) 993-9900 now to schedule an emergency appointment or walk in for urgent broken tooth repair in Pearland, TX.

woman with dental pain
a dentist shaking hands with a patient
model of wooden teeth
braces on teeth
a woman with her mouth open and hands on her face from TMJ pain