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Home Knowledge Center Wellness Library Chipped or Broken Tooth or Dental Appliance

Chipped or Broken Tooth or Dental Appliance

Overview

A chip or break in a tooth may occur suddenly with an injury or develop slowly over time because of wear and tear. A chip, crack, or break in the tooth enamel is less serious than one to a deeper layer of your tooth. A chip may result from grinding the teeth at night. A dentist can recommend a course of treatment for you.

Breaks (fractures), defects, or cracks that go deep into the tooth and involve most of the top (crown) of permanent teeth must be checked by a dentist. Deep fractures or cracks can lead to inflammation, infection, or death of the tooth. The center of the tooth (pulp) must be protected within a few hours of the injury to increase the chances of saving the tooth. Root canal treatment or a restoration may be needed. A restoration, such as a crown, will cover the tooth and hold the tooth together.

Bleeding is serious when it occurs inside a permanent tooth after the tooth has been broken. Prompt dental treatment can often prevent the tooth from dying.

A sharp piece of tooth or dental appliance, such as an orthodontic wire, may irritate your mouth and, if left in a mouth wound, can delay healing and lead to infection or scarring. A broken dental appliance can interfere with your ability to open and close your mouth or can be accidentally swallowed. A dentist can smooth the rough edges of the tooth, replace pieces of the tooth, or fix the broken dental appliance.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

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Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Accidental Injury, Critical Illness, and Hospital Care plans or insurance policies are distributed exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, are administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, and are insured by either (i) Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Bloomfield, CT); (ii) Life Insurance Company of North America (“LINA”) (Philadelphia, PA); or (iii) New York Life Group Insurance Company of NY (“NYLGICNY”) (New York, NY), formerly known as Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. LINA and NYLGICNY are not affiliates of Cigna.

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