Not every broken tooth is the same emergency — a shallow chip and a deep crack reaching the nerve need very different responses, and telling them apart starts with how the tooth actually looks and feels.
At PlanDental in Mahim West, broken teeth are assessed by Dr. Hrishikesh Naik and Dr. Nisha Naik, both MDS in Prosthodontics and Implantology. Read more about the clinic before you book.
People search this for: a chipped front tooth a cracked back tooth pain when biting on one spot a broken filling or old crown a tooth broken from an injury
A broken tooth at PlanDental in Mahim, Mumbai is assessed by how deep and where the break is — a shallow chip in the enamel is very different from a crack reaching the nerve or splitting the tooth. The American Association of Endodontists recognises five categories of tooth breakage, from harmless craze lines to a vertical root fracture, each needing a different response. What matters most is getting it looked at rather than guessing which category applies.
"Broken tooth" covers a wide range — from a tiny chip you can barely feel with your tongue, to a deep crack that causes sharp pain every time you bite. The depth and direction of the break determine both the symptoms and the treatment: a break confined to enamel is a cosmetic and comfort issue, while a break reaching the nerve is a pain and infection risk that needs more involved treatment.
Tiny, shallow cracks in the enamel surface only — no pain, cosmetic at most.
A piece of the chewing surface breaks off, often around an old filling — rarely reaches the nerve.
An incomplete crack extending from the chewing surface downward — often causes sharp pain on biting.
A cracked tooth that has progressed into distinct, separable segments — usually can't be saved intact.
A crack starting in the root itself — often has few symptoms until infection develops around it.
Many cracks are too fine to see clearly on a visual exam and don't always show up plainly on an X-ray, especially early on. This is part of why a bite test — checking exactly which tooth and cusp hurts when you bite on something firm — is often more revealing than looking at the tooth alone. Left unaddressed, a crack tends to propagate deeper over time under the ongoing forces of chewing, which is why cracked teeth caught early have more treatment options than those caught late.
For a split tooth or vertical root fracture that can't be restored.
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clear any debris.
Keep it in milk or saliva if possible — it can sometimes be useful for treatment.
Dental wax or sugar-free gum can temporarily cover a sharp edge irritating your cheek or tongue.
Chew on the other side and avoid very hot, cold, or hard foods until you're seen.
Cost depends entirely on the type of break — bonding a chip is priced very differently from a root canal or an extraction. PlanDental doesn't publish a fixed figure here — call or WhatsApp and the clinic will talk you through it after the exam.
This section describes what affects cost, not a quotation. Actual cost is confirmed only after an exam.
Many chips and shallow cracks are resolved with straightforward bonding. Send a photo or exam notes on WhatsApp for a straight opinion.
Sharp, ongoing pain when biting down, especially on release, points to a crack that needs prompt evaluation.
A visible pink or reddish area in the break may mean the nerve is exposed — this needs same-day attention.
Facial swelling or fever alongside a broken tooth suggests infection and needs urgent care.
A break from significant trauma, especially with a loose or displaced tooth, should be seen the same day.
Cracks that don't show on X-ray are checked for with a proper bite test.
Urgent breaks are accommodated where the day's schedule allows.
Step-free walk-in access, Guru Nanak Road, Mahim West — no stairs.
Same Guru Nanak Road address, next to Citylight Cinema, for over a decade.
No — craze lines and some fractured cusps cause little to no pain, while a cracked tooth reaching the nerve often causes sharp pain specifically when biting.
No — a crack doesn't heal and tends to slowly worsen under normal chewing forces, which is why early evaluation matters.
Many cracks run in a direction that doesn't show clearly on a standard X-ray, especially early on — a bite test is often more revealing.
Not always — a split tooth or a vertical root fracture usually can't be restored and typically needs extraction.
Rinse gently, save any broken piece if possible, cover sharp edges with dental wax, and avoid chewing on that side until you're seen.
Usually not, unless there's significant pain, visible nerve exposure, or the break resulted from major trauma — those situations do need urgent care.
1. American Association of Endodontists — "Cracked Teeth," patient and clinical guidance on cracked tooth classification. aae.org
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Disclaimer: Information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a dental or medical emergency, seek immediate care.