Cracked or Broken Tooth in Calgary — What to Do First and Treatment Options

A cracked or broken tooth is one of the most common reasons people call our SW Calgary office for an emergency appointment. Sometimes it happens after biting into something hard. Sometimes it comes out of nowhere — a tooth weakened by decay or an old filling finally gives way. Either way, what you do in the first hour matters.

Here is a practical guide to broken tooth situations: what counts as an emergency, first aid steps, and how Genesis Dental Centre approaches treatment.

Types of tooth damage

Not every chip is an emergency, but knowing what you are dealing with helps:

• Minor chip — small piece of enamel missing from the edge. Usually no pain, no nerve exposure. Can wait a day or two for an appointment.

• Cracked tooth — a visible crack but the tooth is still in one piece. May cause pain when chewing or sensitivity to temperature. Needs evaluation soon to prevent the crack from spreading.

• Broken cusp — part of the chewing surface has broken off. Often does not hurt because it has not reached the nerve, but the tooth is structurally compromised.

• Serious fracture — large piece missing, deep crack, or visible damage near the gum line. Likely involves the nerve or root. This is a true emergency.

• Knocked-out tooth — the entire tooth is out. You have a 30 to 60 minute window to get it back in place with a good chance of saving it.

What to do in the first hour

If a tooth breaks:

• Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area.

• Save any tooth fragments you can find. Place them in milk or in a container with your saliva.

• Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek to reduce swelling.

• If a sharp edge is irritating your tongue, cover it with dental wax (available at pharmacies) or sugar-free gum.

• Take over the counter pain relief if needed — avoid aspirin if there is bleeding.

• Call your dentist to describe what happened. We will tell you whether to come in immediately or schedule the same day.

For a knocked out adult tooth, also: pick it up by the crown (not the root), rinse briefly without scrubbing, and try to put it back into the socket. If that is not possible, store in milk. Get to a dentist within 60 minutes — every additional minute reduces the chance of saving the tooth.

Treatment options

What we do next depends on how much tooth structure is left and whether the nerve is involved:

• Smoothing or bonding — for minor chips. Quick, painless, often done in a single visit.

• Composite filling — when the broken area is small to medium. Tooth-coloured, no metal, finished the same day.

• Dental crown — when too much tooth is missing for a filling to hold. A crown covers and protects the remaining tooth structure.

• Root canal — if the break has exposed the nerve. Removes the infected pulp, then the tooth is restored with a crown.

• Extraction and replacement — when the tooth cannot be saved. Replacement options include a dental implant, bridge or partial denture.

Cost considerations

Approximate cost ranges in Calgary (Alberta Dental Association Fee Guide):

• Composite filling: from $180

• Porcelain or zirconia crown: from $1,100

• Root canal treatment (front tooth): from $700

• Root canal treatment (molar): from $1,300

Genesis Dental Centre accepts CDCP and most major insurance plans, and we offer flexible payment options for larger restorations. We process claims directly.

Why a same-day visit matters

A broken tooth that does not hurt today can still be at risk. Bacteria entering through the crack reach the nerve quickly, and what starts as a simple repair can become a root canal within weeks. Even if the pain is minimal, an evaluation within a few days helps preserve options.

Emergency dentist in SW Calgary

If you have a broken or cracked tooth, call Genesis Dental Centre at (403) 266-4920. We reserve same-day appointments for dental emergencies and we accept new patients including CDCP recipients. After hours? Leave a message and we will respond first thing the next morning, or visit our emergency dentist information page for what to do until we open.