A broken tooth tends to happen without warning. A bite on something hard, a fall, or a collision during sport can leave you dealing with sharp edges, sudden pain, and a great deal of uncertainty about what to do next.
If you’ve broken a tooth near Woking, help is close at hand. Our emergency dental team at Coniston Dental Practice in West Byfleet sees patients with fractured and broken teeth regularly, and we aim to offer same-day appointments for urgent cases. The extent of the break and the degree of pain will guide how quickly you need to be seen, but as a rule, it’s always better to call and let us advise you.
Types of Tooth Fractures
Not all tooth fractures are the same, and the type of break has a significant influence on the treatment that’s needed and how urgently it’s required.
| Fracture Type | Description | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| Craze lines | Superficial cracks in enamel only; no pain | Routine appointment |
| Fractured cusp | Part of the biting surface breaks off | Soon, sharp edge may irritate soft tissue |
| Cracked tooth | Crack extends from crown toward root | Urgent, can worsen rapidly with biting force |
| Split tooth | Tooth separated into distinct segments | Emergency, often requires extraction or root treatment |
| Vertical root fracture | Fracture begins at root and extends upward | Urgent, often requires extraction |
Most patients we see with broken teeth have a fractured cusp or cracked tooth, both of which can often be treated conservatively if caught early enough.
Immediate Steps to Take
If you’ve broken a tooth, there are a few things to do straight away while you arrange to come and see us.
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area
- If there is bleeding from the gum, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze
- If a piece of the tooth has broken off, save it in milk or saline if possible and bring it with you
- Cover any sharp edges with dental wax or sugar-free chewing gum to protect your tongue and cheeks
- Avoid biting on the affected side until you’ve been seen
And if the tooth is causing significant pain, ibuprofen or paracetamol taken as directed can help manage discomfort while you wait for your appointment.
When Is a Broken Tooth an Emergency?
A fracture that has exposed the nerve tissue or caused significant pain should be treated as an emergency. Signs that the nerve may be affected include:
- Intense sensitivity to temperature, particularly to cold
- Continuous or throbbing pain in the affected tooth
- Pain that lingers well after removing the triggering stimulus
- Swelling or tenderness in the gum near the broken tooth
In our experience, the level of pain doesn’t always correlate precisely with the severity of the fracture. Some quite significant breaks cause surprisingly little immediate discomfort, while hairline cracks in certain positions can be intensely painful. This is why a clinical examination and X-ray are important. They give us a picture that pain levels alone can’t provide.
How We Treat a Broken Tooth
Treatment depends on the type and extent of the fracture, the vitality of the tooth, and its position in the mouth. We’ll always discuss your options before proceeding.
- A small chip to the enamel may be smoothed and polished or restored with composite bonding
- A more substantial fracture involving the dentine layer may need a filling or onlay
- If the nerve is affected, root canal treatment may be required before a crown is placed
- A tooth that is split through to the root may need to be extracted
Where extraction is the only viable option, we’ll talk through tooth replacement options at the same appointment or at a follow-up, including dental implants and bridgework.
What the Research Says About Cracked Teeth
Cracked tooth syndrome is increasingly recognised as a significant dental issue, particularly as people keep their teeth longer and as older restorations age. According to information from the British Dental Association, early diagnosis and treatment of cracked teeth gives the best chance of preserving the tooth long-term. Delaying treatment often means the crack extends further, making more complex intervention or extraction unavoidable.
But even teeth that look badly broken can sometimes be saved with the right treatment approach, particularly if the fracture has not extended below the gumline.
Serving Woking and the Surrounding Area
Coniston Dental Practice is based in West Byfleet, which is just a short drive from Woking and the surrounding villages. We’re a private practice, and our emergency appointments are available to both existing patients and new patients who need urgent care.
If you’ve broken a tooth near Woking and need to be seen quickly, call Coniston Dental Practice on 01932 343 675. Our team will assess your situation over the phone and get you an appointment as soon as possible. We’ll take care of both the immediate problem and plan any longer-term treatment you might need.
