Real cases from our clinic
Patients of Dr Haim Aseriel, photographed at the clinic and shared with their consent. Drag the line across the photo to compare.
Broken tooth repaired
- Real patients of the clinic
- Published with patient consent
- Every result is individual
Broken tooth repair: restoring broken and chipped teeth
A broken tooth, from a small chip to a large fracture, is one of the most common reasons patients call the clinic. Under the direction of Dr Haim Aseriel, the clinic favors conservative techniques that restore the natural tooth and give it back its appearance and function. In the clinic's video (in Hebrew), Dr Aseriel presents the two main options for a broken front tooth: composite bonding or a porcelain veneer.
Restorations are made from quality, metal-free materials such as zirconia and E-MAX for crowns and veneers, and nano-composite resin for bonding, matched to the shape and shade of your natural teeth. Everything is explained in English, with a written plan before treatment starts.
Why teeth break, and the symptoms of a broken or cracked tooth
The causes of a broken tooth range from direct trauma to gradual wear. A blow to the face, a fall or a sports accident can cause an immediate fracture. Habits such as chewing hard objects (pens, ice), teeth grinding (bruxism) or eating very hard foods can cause cracks that turn into fractures over time.
Large decay and previous dental work
Extensive decay that has weakened the tooth, or earlier treatment such as large fillings, also makes fractures more likely. Teeth that have had a root canal tend to be more brittle and can break if they are not protected by a crown.
Symptoms of a crack or fracture
Symptoms of a cracked tooth or a fracture include sudden pain when chewing or when the tooth is exposed to hot or cold, increased sensitivity, swelling of the gum around the tooth and, of course, a visible change in the tooth. Some people feel discomfort when they release their bite. See a dentist soon if these symptoms appear, to prevent further damage.
What to do with a broken tooth until you see the dentist
A broken tooth needs professional treatment, but a few steps help until your appointment.
1. Rinse your mouth and keep the broken piece
Rinse your mouth with lukewarm water to clear away food particles and debris. If there is a broken piece, keep it moist in a clean container with milk, saline or saliva: it can sometimes be bonded back, and it helps the dentist assess the damage.
If a whole permanent tooth was knocked out: hold it by the crown only (not the root), rinse it briefly with water if it is dirty, and try to put it back in place right away. If you cannot, keep it in milk or in the mouth against the cheek (not in water) and see a dentist immediately, ideally within 30 minutes. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back, but the child should still see a dentist.
2. Temporary pain relief
Ask your dentist or pharmacist which pain reliever and which dose suit you. Avoid exposing the tooth to extreme temperatures and chewing hard food on that side. For an injured lip or tongue, cool the area with ice wrapped in a clean towel. A significant injury inside the mouth, bleeding that does not stop, a head injury, or fever, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or difficulty swallowing or breathing require a hospital emergency room immediately.
3. Dental wax for sharp edges
If sharp edges of the broken tooth irritate your tongue or cheek, orthodontic or dental wax from a pharmacy can cover them temporarily. These are temporary measures only; professional treatment is needed to prevent complications.
4. Call the clinic as soon as possible
Call 03-912-1879 to book an urgent appointment. Urgent cases, such as a significant fracture, are seen the same day during clinic hours, because quick treatment can be critical to saving the tooth. The clinic does not see patients on Saturday or at night: fever, swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, or difficulty swallowing or breathing require a hospital emergency room immediately. More first-aid advice is on the emergency dentist page.
How a broken tooth is repaired
The repair process, and its price, depend on the type of damage, the position of the tooth and the solution chosen. At the first visit the dentist assesses the damage with a clinical examination and, when needed, X-rays, then proposes a personal plan that keeps as much natural tooth as possible.
A minor fracture is usually repaired with composite bonding, and larger fractures call for a crown, a veneer or an inlay/onlay (see below). When the fracture reaches or comes close to the pulp, a root canal may be needed before the final restoration. In many cases the repair is completed in one or two visits.
Can a broken tooth be saved?
In most cases a broken tooth can be saved, depending on how severe the fracture is, where it is and the general condition of the tooth.
Whether a broken tooth can be restored depends on the damage to its layers, and especially to the pulp (the nerve) and the root.
Time matters with dental fractures: prompt treatment improves the chances of a successful repair and prevents complications such as infection or further damage. Small chips in the enamel are relatively easy to repair with dental restoration. Even with deeper fractures, techniques such as pulp capping and root canal treatment often make it possible to keep the natural tooth rather than extract it.
Broken tooth repair options: from filling to crown
The right method depends on the position of the tooth, the extent of the damage, the condition of neighboring teeth and your aesthetic expectations. The aim is a solution that combines clinical reliability with a natural look.
| Method | When it fits | Number of visits |
|---|---|---|
| Composite (bonding) | Minor to moderate break; quick and conservative | Usually one visit |
| Laminate veneer | Front tooth, when high aesthetics are needed | One or two; depending on the case, sometimes the same day (clinic's lab) |
| Inlay / onlay | Break in part of a back tooth; custom partial restoration | One or two; depending on the case, sometimes the same day |
| Crown | Extensive break that weakens the tooth | One or two; a temporary crown when more time is needed |
| Root canal, then crown | Deep break that reaches or exposes the pulp | Several: the root canal, then the restoration |
| Extraction and implant | Tooth that cannot be saved | A process in several stages |
Repairing a broken tooth with composite (bonding)
For a minor to moderate break, bonding is usually used: a tooth-colored nano-composite is shaped directly on the tooth and hardened with a curing light, usually in one visit and without lab work. The result blends with the natural teeth.
For an overview of filling materials (composite, amalgam, ceramic inlays), see types of dental fillings. The advantages and drawbacks of each option are explained before treatment.
Repairing a broken front tooth with a porcelain veneer
Restoring broken front teeth demands great aesthetic precision. Porcelain laminate veneers are well suited to broken front teeth when a high level of aesthetics is needed, because they reproduce the translucency, shade and texture of a natural tooth.
The procedure removes only a thin layer of enamel from the front surface. The veneer is made in the clinic's dental lab and bonded with dedicated adhesives. Veneers are not suitable for everyone: patients who grind their teeth or have a deep bite may need another solution or a night guard to protect the veneers. See also front teeth restoration.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Repairing a broken tooth with a crown
For extensive fractures, or when the tooth has had a root canal, a full crown protects the tooth on all sides and restores full function and appearance. The type of crown is chosen according to the position of the tooth, the forces on it and your aesthetic wishes.
Preparing for a crown involves shaping the tooth to make room for it while keeping as much healthy structure as possible. A digital scan of the prepared tooth is taken and the crown is made in the clinic's lab, often the same day; when more time is needed, a temporary crown protects the tooth in the meantime.
92%
of zirconia crowns survived 5 years (systematic review)
Zirconia and E-MAX crowns combine strength and aesthetics. They contain no metal, so there is no gray line at the gumline, which can appear with traditional crowns.
According to a systematic review, the 5-year survival rate is about 92% for zirconia crowns and about 95% for metal-ceramic crowns (Sailer I et al., 2015). Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups help a crown last.
Broken tooth repair cost: what affects it?
The extent and severity of the damage are the main factors: minor chips need minimal treatment, while extensive fractures may require more complex work. The technique chosen (bonding, crown, veneer or another restoration) directly affects the final price, as does the material: nano-composite for bonding, zirconia or E-MAX for crowns and veneers. Front teeth often require more aesthetic precision, which affects time and materials.
The clinic does not publish a price list: after the examination, and X-rays when needed, you receive a written quote with a detailed breakdown, and itemized receipts after treatment that you can submit to your insurer (coverage depends on your policy).
Can broken teeth be prevented?
Prevention starts with understanding what breaks teeth: physical trauma, teeth grinding, biting hard objects, and teeth weakened by root canals or extensive decay. Identifying these risk factors early allows preventive treatment.
The main measures are a night guard for people with bruxism, which protects the teeth from clenching forces during sleep, avoiding biting pens or ice or cracking nuts, and wearing a mouthguard for sports.
When weakened or cracked teeth are found, a crown or an onlay can reinforce them before they break. Careful oral hygiene and regular check-ups prevent the decay that weakens teeth.
Broken tooth repair in Jerusalem: consultation in English
Treating a broken tooth quickly is a health matter, not only an aesthetic one. Left untreated, a broken tooth can lead to infection and sensitivity. At the clinic, at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem, Dr Haim Aseriel, a US-trained dentist (DDS, NYU College of Dentistry), assesses the fracture and explains the options in English, from bonding for minor breaks to crowns and combined treatments with a root canal. You receive a clear plan with timing and a written quote. Opening hours: Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00.
Broken tooth repair: frequently asked questions
Sometimes. When a piece of a front tooth breaks off in one piece, it can often be bonded back with a dental adhesive. Keep the fragment moist (in milk, saline or saliva) and get to the dentist quickly. When the piece is lost or unsuitable, a broken front tooth is usually repaired with composite bonding, and a larger fracture with a porcelain veneer or a crown. A fracture that exposes the nerve needs a prompt examination.
Broken tooth repair is done under local anesthesia when needed, so most patients feel only mild discomfort during treatment. Mild sensitivity and discomfort may follow for a short time. For pain relief, ask your dentist or pharmacist which medication and dose are right for you.
Composite bonding has no fixed expiry date. According to a review, composite restorations fail at a rate of about 1% to 3% a year on back teeth and about 1% to 5% on front teeth, depending mainly on the risk of decay and the size of the restoration. Grinding your teeth and biting hard objects increase the risk of another fracture.
Rinse the mouth with water, keep the broken piece moist (in milk, saline or saliva) and see a dentist soon, even for a baby tooth. A permanent tooth that is knocked out completely should be put back in place right away, or kept in milk while you get to a dentist immediately, ideally within 30 minutes. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back, but the child still needs a dental check. A head injury requires a visit to the emergency room.
Sources
- American Association of Endodontists, Knocked Out Teeth – View the page
- Fouad AF et al., Dental Traumatology, 2020 – View the study
- Sailer I et al., Dental Materials, 2015 – View the study
- Carrasco-Labra A et al., Journal of the American Dental Association, 2024 – View the study
- Demarco FF et al., Brazilian Oral Research, 2017 – View the study
