Breaking a tooth can be a painful and stressful experience—but knowing what to do in the moment (and who to call) can make all the difference. Whether it happens during a weekend hike, a meal out, or while playing sports, a broken tooth is a dental emergency that requires professional attention.

At Wasatch Periodontics in Salt Lake City, we’re here to help patients through these urgent situations. With expert care in periodontics, oral surgery, and dental implants, we can assess the damage and get your smile back on track.

First Things First: Assess the Damage

Not all broken teeth are the same. Some may involve just a small chip, while others expose the nerve or root of the tooth. Here are the common types of tooth fractures:

• Chipped tooth – Often cosmetic, but still needs evaluation
• Cracked tooth – May extend below the gum line and cause pain
• Broken cusp – A piece of the chewing surface is missing
• Split tooth – A more severe crack that divides the tooth
• Vertical root fracture – Starts at the root and moves upward, often painful

If you're unsure how bad it is, don’t wait. Our Salt Lake City periodontist team offers same day dental care for emergencies and can evaluate the extent of the damage quickly.

What to Do Immediately After Breaking a Tooth

Follow these steps before you reach our office:

1. Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area.
2. Control bleeding (if any) with gauze or a damp cloth.
3. Apply a cold compress to the cheek if there’s swelling.
4. Recover any broken pieces, if possible.
5. Avoid chewing on the injured side and stick to soft foods.

If the tooth is painful or sensitive, over-the-counter pain relief can help until you're seen by one of our Salt Lake City emergency dentistry providers.

When to Seek Immediate Help

You should contact our office right away if:

• The tooth is loose, bleeding, or extremely painful
• A large portion of the tooth is missing
• The nerve is exposed (you’ll feel sharp pain when eating or breathing through your mouth)
• You have swelling or signs of infection

Our dental team is trained in both restorative and surgical treatments, including oral surgery in Salt Lake City, to handle serious dental injuries and prevent further complications.

How We Treat a Broken Tooth at Wasatch Periodontics

Treatment depends on the severity and location of the break. Some options include:

1. Bonding or Filling

For small chips or cracks, we may use a tooth-colored composite to restore shape and function.

2. Crown Placement

A crown is often needed for moderate-to-severe damage. We offer custom dental crowns in Salt Lake City to restore your tooth and protect it long-term.

3. Root Canal Therapy

If the pulp is exposed or infected, root canal therapy may be needed before placing a crown.

4. Tooth Extraction and Implant

In cases where the tooth is unsalvageable, we can perform a tooth extraction and replace the tooth with a long-lasting dental implant. Our practice specializes in dental implants in Salt Lake City and can guide you through this process.

Specialized Cases: When Periodontics Comes In

If the break involves the root or extends beneath the gum line, specialized care is essential. Our practice focuses on complex cases involving bone and gum health. We often work with patients who require:

• Surgical crown lengthening
• Bone grafting
• Guided tissue regeneration
• Implant placement after extraction

We also offer oral sedation in Salt Lake City to keep you comfortable during any procedure.

Avoiding Tooth Breaks in the Future

After restoring your tooth, we want to help you avoid future damage. Preventive steps include:

• Wearing a custom mouthguard during sports or at night (especially if you grind your teeth)
• Avoiding chewing ice, hard candies, or non-food items
• Addressing misalignment with orthodontics in Salt Lake City to reduce bite stress
• Regular cleanings and exams to catch issues early

If the tooth was weakened due to gum disease, our periodontal specialists will recommend follow-up care to ensure your oral health stays stable.

Emergency Care You Can Count On

At Wasatch Periodontics, we know that dental emergencies don’t happen on a convenient schedule. That’s why we provide prompt emergency dentistry in Salt Lake City UT and personalized follow-up care tailored to your needs.

Whether you need a quick repair, a full extraction, or a long-term restoration plan, our team of Utah periodontal specialists will be with you every step of the way.

Restoring Your Smile with Confidence

There’s no reason to live with pain or embarrassment after a broken tooth. Our restorative and surgical expertise allows us to treat even the most complex cases—whether you need advanced periodontics in Salt Lake City, gum surgery, or a sinus lift before an implant.

Looking for a periodontist in Utah 84124 you can trust? Wasatch Periodontics is proud to serve as a leading provider of advanced, compassionate dental care.

Contact Us Today

If you’ve broken a tooth—or want a second opinion on an existing issue—our team is here to help. Call Wasatch Periodontics to schedule an evaluation or visit our perio office near you in 84124.

Your comfort, health, and smile are always our top priorities.