You’re enjoying a frozen treat on a hot summer day, when suddenly a sharp pain shoots through your tooth. Sounds familiar?
Whether you bit into something too hard, had an unexpected fall or a sports mishap - a chipped tooth can happen to anyone, anytime. The good news? It’s totally treatable. By spotting the signs early makes all the difference when it comes to maintaining your oral health.
In this quick guide, we’ll walk you through:
Let’s help you stay informed.
Depending on what caused it, tooth damage can appear in different ways. Some are mild while other types need quick dental attention. Here are a few of the most common ones:
These are small surface-level nicks that only affect the outer enamel of the tooth. It’s usually pain-free and doesn’t require immediate medical care. However, if ignored for a long time, these minor chips can turn into major damage.
A crack usually appears vertically or horizontally across the tooth. While they might be painless at first, you may notice sensitivity if the crack appears on the chewing surface. Cracks are not always visible, so it’s important to listen to your teeth. Don’t wait—book a checkup right away.
It affects a small part of the tooth and isn’t painful. However, it may cause further issues if not taken care of. In most cases, it appears around the dental filling areas.
It’s a more severe form of a cracked tooth, when a crack goes deep enough to divide the tooth into two parts. It mostly appears as a result of an untreated fracture and causes slight pain and discomfort.
This one’s tough. When a chip or crack goes deep enough to expose the tooth’s inner nerves. You will feel severe sensitivity and pain, and require immediate attention from your dentist.
These happen below the gumline, making them hard to spot right away. Root fractures can lead to infection or tooth loss and may require a root canal or even extraction, depending on how bad it is.
Chips or cracks might not always be visible, but you will have some signs. Watch for these symptoms:
If you notice any of these symptoms—even if there's little to no pain—get yourself a dental check-up. Waiting it out might turn a small issue into a much bigger one.
We use a white (tooth-colored) composite resin that is applied to the tooth and shaped to restore its natural look. It's quick, comfortable, and usually completed in one visit.
When a large portion of tooth is damaged or missing, a cap is placed around it. It covers the entire tooth and protects it from further damage.
These custom-made thin porcelain shells are bonded to the front surface of the tooth. Apart from fixing chipped teeth, they can also improve your smile.
If a nerve is exposed due to a break, root canal therapy is needed to clean out the damaged tissues to protect the tooth. A crown is placed after the treatment for complete protection.
If the tooth can’t be saved and needs to be extracted, a dental implant is needed to replace it. Made of porcelain, ceramic, or zirconia, are surgically placed and topped with a crown to function like a real one.
In some chipped tooth Calgary cases, if you save the broken piece of the tooth and see your dentist quickly, they may be able to reattach it using bonding material.
If you are not able to get the dentist appointment immediately, do the following in the meantime:
A chipped or broken tooth can catch you off guard but no need to panic. At Northmount Dental Care, we’ve seen it all and fixed it all. From minor chips to major fractures, we’re fully equipped with the latest techniques, tools, and a caring team to restore your tooth—and your confidence.
Whether you need quick bonding, a protective crown, or a full dental implant, we’ll guide you through your options and help you choose what’s best for your smile and budget. Our Calgary NW team is here to make the process smooth, stress-free, and tailored just for you.