Broken Tooth or Lost Crown: What to Do Next
Explore your options and plan your next step with our Palm Beach Gardens dental team.
One moment you are eating normally; the next, you notice a rough edge on a tooth or a crown in your hand. It is an unsettling surprise, especially when you are unsure whether the tooth can be repaired. Even without much pain, a broken tooth or lost crown deserves a call to the dentist.
The next step depends on what happened and the condition of the remaining tooth. You do not need to figure that out yourself. Describe the change to our team so we can discuss an evaluation.
Protect the Area While Arranging Your Visit
For a cracked tooth, gently rinse with warm water. A cold compress on the outside of your face may help with swelling. Avoid chewing on the affected side, save a crown that has come out, and bring it to the appointment. Do not use household glue to put it back.
Let us know whether there was a blow to your face, whether you are bleeding, and whether the tooth hurts when you bite. These details help explain the situation. Do not repeatedly test the tooth by biting down to see if it still hurts.
Why a Small Looking Crack May Need a Closer Look
A crack is not always easy to see. Discomfort may come and go, happen during chewing, or appear with hot or cold drinks. How a tooth looks in a mirror does not show how far a crack extends.
The location and extent of the damage help determine whether a filling, bonding, or crown may be appropriate. If the soft tissue inside the tooth is affected, root canal treatment may be needed. Some teeth cannot be restored and require extraction. An examination is necessary before recommending an option.
Could a One Day Crown Be an Option?
Rudnick Dentistry offers fastmill.io one day crowns. For a suitable tooth, this may be part of the repair plan. Whether it fits your situation depends on the examination, the care needed, and available appointment time. Some cases require additional visits or specialist care.
A useful question to ask is, “What needs to happen before this tooth can have its final restoration?” That keeps the conversation focused on your tooth and the full treatment plan. We will discuss the recommended steps and costs before you choose care.
Know When to Seek Medical Help
A serious facial injury, bleeding that will not stop, or trouble breathing or swallowing needs emergency medical care. Call 911 or go to an emergency department rather than waiting for a dental appointment.
Arrange an Evaluation in Palm Beach Gardens
When you call, tell us whether a piece of tooth broke or an existing crown came off, when it happened, and whether you have pain or swelling. Have your medication list and allergy information ready. If you saved the crown, bring it with you so it can be evaluated.
Our office is at 4274 Northlake Blvd. Explore our emergency dentistry guide for office hours, directions, and emergency visit information. Outside office hours, our number connects you to the after hours emergency line. Leave your contact details and concern; response times vary.
For local visit details, see our emergency dentistry pages for Jupiter, Westlake, Palm Beach.
Patient education sources: AAE: Cracked Teeth and ADA: Dental Emergencies.
What Our Patients Say
Read patient reviews of Rudnick Dentistry on Google.
Ask About Saving and Restoring the Tooth
Depending on the examination, a broken tooth may need bonding, a crown, root canal treatment, or extraction. Selected crowns can be made with fastmill in one day; other cases need a laboratory or additional visits. Call before coming in so the team can discuss availability.
