1. Assessing the severity of the fracture
Not all broken teeth are equivalent. We generally distinguish:
- Craze line: a superficial crack in the enamel, often painless but worth monitoring.
- Chip: a small piece of enamel breaks off, without reaching the dentine or the nerve.
- Coronal fracture: the break reaches the dentine, sometimes the pulp (nerve): sensitivity to heat, cold or air.
- Root fracture: the root is affected, the tooth may move. Prognosis is more reserved.
- Avulsion: the tooth is completely out of its socket. Absolute emergency.
2. The right reflexes within the first hour
- Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to assess the extent of the fracture.
- Retrieve the broken fragment and keep it in milk or saline (never tap water).
- If a tooth is fully knocked out, hold it by the crown (never by the root), briefly rinse it and re-implant it immediately in the socket if possible, or keep it in milk.
- Apply cold to the cheek to limit swelling.
- Take a painkiller (paracetamol) following the dosage. Avoid aspirin if there is bleeding.
- Contact the practice without delay to get an emergency appointment.
3. Repair solutions
Depending on the extent of the fracture and the location of the tooth, several treatments are possible:
- Re-bonding the fragment with adhesive if the piece has been kept.
- Composite restoration for small chips: conservative technique performed in a single session.
- Ceramic veneer for visible anterior fractures — cosmetic dentistry.
- Inlay/onlay or crown for significant loss of tooth substance.
- Endodontic treatment (root canal) if the nerve is exposed.
- Extraction then implant if the tooth cannot be saved — dental implant in Boulogne.
4. Preventing dental fractures
- Wear a mouthguard during contact sports.
- Use a nightguard in case of bruxism (teeth grinding).
- Avoid chewing ice, pits or opening packaging with your teeth.
- Treat cavities early to limit weakening of the tooth.
Frequently asked questions
Is a broken tooth a dental emergency?
Yes, especially if the fracture is painful, if the pulp (nerve) is exposed or if the tooth is loose. Contact the practice within 24 hours. If a permanent tooth is fully knocked out, treatment must take place within the hour following the trauma.
What to do while waiting for the appointment?
Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water, keep the broken fragment in milk or saline (never tap water), apply cold to the cheek to limit swelling and avoid chewing on the affected side. A paracetamol-based painkiller can be taken following the recommended dosage.
Can a broken piece of tooth be re-bonded?
Yes, if the fragment is intact, clean and kept in a moist medium (milk, saline or saliva), the dentist can often re-bond it with adhesive. Otherwise, a composite restoration, a ceramic veneer or a crown will be proposed depending on the extent of the fracture.
How much does repairing a broken tooth cost?
The fee depends on the solution: direct composite, inlay/onlay, ceramic veneer, crown or implant. A detailed estimate compliant with the French dental convention is systematically provided before any treatment, including the share reimbursed by Health Insurance and the supplementary health insurance.
Dental emergency in Boulogne-Billancourt
Do you have a broken tooth? Contact Cabinet de la Grand-Place at 01 84 19 48 08 or book an emergency appointment. See also our contact page and our team.