Broken Tooth? We Can Help — Today.
A broken tooth needs prompt professional assessment. From minor chips to significant fractures, our team in South Kensington provides same-day care to stabilise, protect, and restore your tooth.
Emergency Assessment
Includes X-Ray & Treatment Plan
“They saved my tooth the same day I called.”
What Is a Broken Tooth?
A broken tooth refers to any structural damage where part of the tooth’s hard outer layers — enamel or dentine — has fractured, chipped, or cracked. The severity can range from a tiny cosmetic chip to a deep fracture that exposes the nerve inside the tooth.
Minor Chip
A small piece of enamel has broken away. Often causes little to no discomfort. Can typically be repaired with composite bonding in a single visit.
Moderate Fracture
A larger section of tooth has broken, possibly reaching the dentine layer. May cause sensitivity. Often restored with a filling or crown.
Severe Break
The fracture extends into the pulp (nerve) of the tooth. Likely painful. May require root canal treatment followed by a crown to save the tooth.
Regardless of the type, all broken teeth benefit from prompt assessment. Even a small chip can develop sharp edges that irritate the tongue or cheek, and untreated fractures may worsen over time. A thorough is the first step toward the right solution.
Common Causes of a Broken Tooth
Teeth are remarkably strong, but they are not indestructible. A number of everyday situations can lead to a fracture.
1Biting on Hard Objects
Ice, hard sweets, olive stones, popcorn kernels, and even pen caps are common culprits. A sudden concentrated force can exceed what enamel can withstand.
2Trauma or Accident
Falls, sports injuries, and impacts to the face are frequent causes — particularly for front teeth. A mouthguard can help prevent sports-related fractures.
3Untreated Decay
Cavities weaken the internal structure of a tooth over time. Eventually, the remaining enamel shell may collapse under normal chewing forces.
4Large Existing Fillings
Teeth with large old fillings — especially amalgam — have less natural tooth structure remaining. The tooth can crack around the filling, much like a weakened wall.
5Grinding and Clenching (Bruxism)
Chronic grinding places enormous repetitive stress on teeth, particularly molars. Over months or years, hairline cracks can develop and eventually propagate.
6Temperature Shock
Rapidly alternating between very hot and very cold foods or drinks can cause micro-fractures in enamel due to thermal expansion and contraction.
Emergency Stabilisation
When you arrive at our South Kensington practice with a broken tooth, our priority is to relieve any pain and protect the tooth from further damage. This is what an appointment typically involves:
Pain Assessment
We assess your level of discomfort and provide appropriate pain relief, including local anaesthetic if needed.
Digital X-Ray
A periapical X-ray reveals the full extent of the fracture, including any damage below the gum line or near the nerve.
Temporary Restoration
If a permanent fix cannot be completed the same day, we place a temporary filling or crown to seal the tooth and prevent sensitivity or infection.
Treatment Plan
We explain the restoration options available, the expected costs, and the timeline — so you can make an informed decision with no pressure.
While You Wait: First Aid Tips
Rinse gently with warm (not hot) water.
If bleeding, apply clean gauze with gentle pressure for 10 minutes.
Save any broken fragments in milk or saliva.
Avoid chewing on the affected side.
Use over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen if needed.
Cover any sharp edges with sugar-free gum or dental wax to protect your tongue.
Avoid very hot, cold, or sugary food and drinks.
These measures are temporary. They help manage discomfort until you can see a dentist, but do not replace professional assessment and treatment.
Restoration Options for a Broken Tooth
The right restoration depends on the location of the tooth, the extent of the fracture, and how much healthy tooth structure remains. Here are the approaches we use most frequently.
Composite Bonding & White Fillings
For minor chips and small fractures, tooth-coloured composite resin can be sculpted directly onto the tooth in a single appointment. The material is bonded to the existing enamel, restoring the shape and colour of the tooth with no laboratory work required.
This is often the most conservative and cost-effective option. It preserves the maximum amount of natural tooth structure while delivering an excellent cosmetic result.
Starting From
£195
£97.50 Members
Single visit • No drilling for bonding
Dental Crowns (Zirconia or E-Max)
When a significant portion of the tooth has been lost, a crown provides full coverage and structural reinforcement. Think of it as a protective helmet for your tooth. The damaged structure is reshaped, and a custom-made Zirconia or E-Max crown is cemented over the top.
Crowns are widely regarded as one of the most reliable long-term restorations for moderate to severe fractures. They aim to restore chewing function and may help protect against further cracking, and are colour-matched to blend with surrounding teeth.
Starting From
£995
£497.50 Members
Two visits • 15–20 year lifespan
Root Canal Treatment + Crown
If the fracture has exposed or damaged the nerve (pulp) inside the tooth, root canal treatment may be necessary before a crown can be placed. The procedure removes the damaged nerve tissue, cleans and seals the root canals, and eliminates infection.
A crown is then placed over the treated tooth to restore its strength. This combination is one of the most effective ways to save a severely damaged tooth that might otherwise need extraction.
Root Canal From
£595
£297.50 Members
+ Crown fee • Saves the natural tooth
Extraction & Replacement
In some cases, a tooth may be fractured beyond the point where it can be predictably saved — for example, a vertical root fracture that splits the tooth below the gum line. When extraction is the most appropriate option, we will discuss it honestly with you.
Replacement options include dental implants, bridges, or dentures — each with different timescales, costs, and suitability depending on your individual situation.
Extraction From
£295
£147.50 Members
Last resort • Multiple replacement options
The Role of Dental Crowns in Treating Broken Teeth
Dental crowns are among the most commonly recommended definitive restorations for broken teeth. A crown encases the entire visible portion of the tooth, redistributing chewing forces evenly and helping to prevent the crack from propagating further.
At Smile Dentist, we use 100% Zirconia and E-Max (lithium disilicate) crowns — both metal-free, biocompatible, and colour-matched to your natural teeth. Zirconia is exceptionally strong, making it well suited for back teeth that bear heavy chewing loads. E-Max offers excellent translucency, making it a popular choice for front teeth.
Whether the break is the result of trauma, decay, or a failed old filling, a well-made crown aims to restore the tooth to comfortable function and natural aesthetics, and may last 15–20 years or longer with proper care.
Why Crowns Work So Well
Covers the entire tooth above the gum line, preventing further fracture.
Most patients can chew, bite, and eat normally, with few if any dietary restrictions.
Colour, shape, and translucency matched to your surrounding teeth.
No metal, no grey lines, and very low allergic risk. Generally well-tolerated and comfortable.
With proper care, 15–20 years or longer. A sound long-term investment.
Temporary Measures & What to Expect
Some restorations — such as crowns — require two appointments. Here is what to expect during the interim period while your permanent restoration is being crafted.
Your Temporary Crown
After the tooth is prepared for a permanent crown, a temporary acrylic crown is fitted. This protects the prepared tooth, prevents sensitivity, and maintains your appearance while the final Zirconia or E-Max crown is fabricated by our laboratory.
Avoid sticky or very hard foods on the temporary.
Brush gently around the area — do not skip cleaning.
If the temporary comes loose, contact us promptly.
The permanent crown is typically fitted within 7–14 days.
Immediate Temporary Filling
For emergency same-day visits where a definitive restoration is not yet planned, a temporary filling material is used to seal the tooth. This prevents bacteria from entering, reduces sensitivity, and gives you time to consider your options.
Temporary fillings are not designed to last long-term.
Book your follow-up appointment within 2–4 weeks.
The temporary protects the tooth while you decide on a plan.
Your dentist will explain all permanent options at your visit.
Related Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Broken Tooth? Don’t Wait.
The sooner a broken tooth is assessed, the more options you have. Our South Kensington team provides same-day emergency appointments — no registration needed.
20 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3DL
Registered & Regulated
Our team are fully registered and regulated for practice in the United Kingdom. Our patients should expect nothing less.
Meet The Experts
Our hand-picked team of clinicians is dedicated to the art and science of your smile.
Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi
Principal Dentist & Clinical Director
GDC: 195843
Meticulous preventative care meets world-class cosmetic dentistry. Yasha offers complicated surgical extractions, complex treatments, and smile makeovers.
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Dr. Kamran Yazdi
Dentist
GDC: 197926
Conservative dentistry specialist with postgraduate degrees from UCL Eastman. Believes in preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.
View ProfileDr. Andreia Phipps
Dentist
GDC: 229601
Friendly and enthusiastic dentist passionate about cosmetic and aesthetic restorative dentistry. Patient-centred care is at the heart of everything she does.
View ProfileDr. Reza Davari
Dentist with Special Interest in Prosthodontics
GDC: 302422
Award-winning prosthodontics specialist with the London Gold Medal. Combines advanced clinical skill with a calm, gentle manner.
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Dr. Narges Ameri
Dentist
GDC: 325081
Specialist-trained prosthodontist and implantologist. Former Assistant Professor at Tehran University with expertise in complex restorative cases.
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Jack Button
Dental Hygienist & Dental Therapist
GDC: 244367
Clinical Director and only Dental Hygienist awarded Fellowship to the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.
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Laila Alhussein
Dental Hygienist
GDC: 328882
UCL-trained hygienist dedicated to promoting oral health in a warm, welcoming environment. Passionate about patient comfort and connection.
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