It depends on how much tooth is left and whether the nerve is involved. A small chip with no nerve exposure is usually a filling or bonding repair. A larger break that compromises the structural wall of the tooth typically needs a crown. A vertical root fracture or a break extending deep below the gumline may mean the tooth cannot be saved.
The sooner you are assessed, the more options are usually available. Ivy Dental's Everton Park and Nundah clinics are open 7 days, and emergency appointments can be booked online at any time. Timing depends on clinical urgency and clinic capacity.
When a filling may be enough
A filling or composite bonding may be appropriate when:
- The chip or fracture is small and limited to enamel
- No nerve tissue is exposed
- The remaining tooth structure is strong and intact
- The break does not affect how the tooth bites against opposing teeth
These repairs are typically quick, conservative, and cost-effective. A composite filling starts from $200 at Ivy Dental. They restore the shape and function of the tooth without removing significant additional structure.
Indicative pricing. Your quote may differ based on clinical assessment.
When a crown may be more predictable
A crown may be recommended when:
- More than roughly a third of the visible tooth structure is gone
- The tooth already has a large existing filling that has now fractured alongside it
- The fracture compromises a wall of the tooth, making it structurally unreliable with a filling alone
- The nerve is involved but the tooth can be saved with root canal treatment first
A crown wraps around the remaining tooth and holds it together. It redistributes biting force across the full structure rather than relying on a patch repair on a weakened tooth.
A single dental crown starts from $1,600. The decision between a large filling and a crown is not always clear-cut. In borderline cases, your dentist will explain the trade-offs: a filling preserves more structure but may not last as long on a heavily compromised tooth, while a crown requires more preparation but provides more predictable long-term strength. For more on that decision, see our guide on crown vs filling.
Indicative pricing. Your quote may differ based on clinical assessment.
When extraction may be necessary
Extraction may be the most appropriate option when:
- The tooth is fractured vertically through the root (a root fracture)
- The break extends significantly below the gumline or bone level
- There is extensive decay underneath the fracture with insufficient healthy tooth structure remaining
- The tooth has failed previous treatment and further repair is not predictable
Extraction is not failure. In some cases, it is the most honest recommendation because attempting to save a tooth that will inevitably fail again creates more cost, more discomfort, and worse long-term outcomes than removing it and planning a proper replacement.
If a tooth is extracted, replacement options include implants, bridges, or in some cases a removable prosthesis. Your dentist will discuss these based on the location of the tooth and your overall treatment goals.
Book an emergency assessment at Ivy Dental
Red flags that make it urgent
Contact us urgently if a broken tooth is accompanied by:
- Severe, uncontrolled pain
- Visible pink or red tissue inside the break (exposed nerve)
- Swelling in the face, jaw, or gum near the tooth
- Bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
- A piece of tooth that is loose or displaced but still attached
- The break was caused by trauma to the face or jaw
These signs suggest the break may be more serious than it appears and benefit from same-day assessment.
What to do before your appointment
If you have broken a tooth and your appointment is not immediate:
- Rinse gently with warm salt water
- If you have the broken piece, store it in milk or saliva (not water)
- Avoid chewing on that side
- Over-the-counter pain relief as directed if needed
- Cover any sharp edges with temporary dental cement or sugar-free gum to protect your tongue and cheek
Do not attempt to glue the tooth back together.
Why early assessment preserves options
A broken tooth can look minor from the outside while the crack travels deeper under the gum. It can also feel dramatic because the edge is sharp, even when the repair is straightforward. Assessment separates those two situations.
The dentist is checking how far the fracture extends, whether the nerve is exposed, whether the tooth moves when you bite, and whether an X-ray shows a deeper crack or infection. That information determines whether a conservative filling is reasonable, whether a crown is more predictable, or whether the tooth has a poor long-term outlook.
How north Brisbane residents can reach us quickly
Our Everton Park clinic serves Mitchelton, Stafford, Keperra, and The Gap. Our Nundah clinic is convenient for Clayfield, Wavell Heights, and Chermside. Everton Park and Nundah are open 7 days. Emergency appointment timing depends on urgency and clinic capacity. Payment plans may be available to approved applicants for larger treatments like crowns.
Next step
Book online at any time for an urgent assessment, or call during opening hours for phone triage and booking help. The sooner a broken tooth is assessed, the more options may be available to save it.
Book an emergency assessment at Ivy Dental | Call (07) 3266 7120
