Broken tooth: immediate actions & treatment

Before you continue reading: If a tooth has completely broken out—meaning the entire tooth including the root—please read the section below directly. This is a genuine dental emergency where every minute counts.

For a chipped piece, a crack, or a splintered corner, you have a little more time – but even then, the sooner the better.

Four immediate measures that apply almost always:

Pick up the broken piece.
Look for it if possible. A dentist can re-bond a chipped piece in certain cases - it doesn't always work, but often enough that it's worth saving the fragment.

2. Store it correctly.
Not in water, not wrapped in a handkerchief, and don't leave it to dry out. The best options are: in milk, in saliva (keep it in your mouth if it's large enough), or in a special tooth preservation box - these are available at pharmacies for around 15 Euros and are especially worthwhile for families with children.

3. Rinse mouth gently.
With lukewarm water - no disinfectant, no alcohol mouthwash. Just rinse to remove gross impurities.

4. Call us.
Even outside of regular office hours: 0431 5568 2326. We'll briefly clarify by phone how urgent it is and what needs to be done next.

Not every chipped tooth needs to be treated within the next hour. But there are situations where you should act really fast:

Immediately – within 30 to 60 minutes:
- The tooth has completely fallen out (avulsed). The survival rate of the tooth root drops drastically after one hour outside the mouth.
- It's bleeding heavily and won't stop.
- You have severe pain that does not subside.
- The tooth is loose and threatens to break further or fall out.

Today still - within a few hours:
The fracture is close to the tooth root or close to the gum line.
- The fracture line is sharp and can injure the tongue or oral mucosa.
- You feel the pulp (the "insides" of the tooth) - noticeable by intense pain sensitivity to cold or heat directly at the fracture site.

Within the next few days:
A corner or small piece has broken off, no pain, no sharp edge.
An old dental restoration (crown, bridge, veneer) is damaged.

This is a situation where speed really counts. In many cases, a knocked-out tooth can be reimplanted and saved long-term – but only if it's treated quickly and correctly.

What you are doing:
Touch tooth: only on the crown (the visible part), never at the root The root surface is covered with cells that are crucial for healing - mechanical pressure can destroy them.

Clean tooth: rinse briefly under lukewarm water if necessary, but do not rub, do not wipe with a cloth, do not disinfect.

Storing a tooth: Ideally, use a tooth rescue box from the pharmacy, or alternatively, keep it in milk (real cow's milk, not soy milk), or hold it in your mouth between your cheek and gums.

Then: come to us immediately.

If you are with us within 30 minutes, the success rate is significantly higher. After 60 minutes, it drops considerably – but it's not zero. So, even if an hour has already passed, come in anyway. We'll take a look.

What exactly is done depends on how much of the tooth is left, where the fracture is, and whether the nerve is affected. Here's an overview:

Glue the broken piece back on

If the fragment is present and large enough, it can be reattached directly with composite (a tooth-colored plastic). This is the fastest and most inconspicuous solution – and it often lasts surprisingly long.

Composite or filling restoration

If the fragment is lost or too small, the missing substance can be built up with composite. This is done in one appointment, looks natural, and is the most common solution for minor chips in our practice.

Crown

For larger fractures where there isn't enough remaining tooth structure to build it up directly, a crown is an option. It protects the rest of the tooth, restores full chewing function, and is durable.

Root canal treatment + buildup or crown

If the pulp—the nerve and tissue inside the tooth—is affected, root canal treatment is needed first before the tooth can be restored or crowned. This may sound complex, but a treated tooth remains your own tooth. That's always better than a replacement.

Extraction and implant

If the fracture is so deep in the root that it cannot be meaningfully preserved, the tooth must be extracted. Then the question of replacement arises—usually an implant. However, that is the last step, not the first thought. We try everything before it comes to that.

For children, an important question is: Is it a baby tooth or an adult tooth?

Milk tooth broken: Usually not an emergency. Pick up the fragment, calm the child, contact the practice. Primary teeth are generally not reinserted because this can interfere with the development of the permanent tooth. But we will look at it.

Permanent tooth knocked out (school-aged children, adolescents): Real emergency situation. Just like with adults: tooth in milk or a tooth rescue box, come immediately. Especially with young people, the chances of successful re-implantation are very good.

Not sure how urgent it is? Give us a call – it’ll only take you two minutes, and after a brief description, we can assess how quickly you should come in. Sometimes a photo via WhatsApp is enough for us to get an initial picture. We know dental emergencies always happen at the worst possible times. That's why we try to see you as soon as possible.

Telephone: 0431 5568 2326
Online Appointment Book now
Address: Niemannsweg 46, 24105 Kiel

Would you like to make an appointment, receive advice, or have questions about our services? We are always available for you – by phone, online, or in person. Your dental health is important to us, and we ensure that you feel completely comfortable with us.

Our services for you:
• Individual and comprehensive advice
Modern treatment methods
A dedicated and friendly team

We warmly welcome you and look forward to soon welcoming you to our dental practice in Kiel. Your smile is in the best hands with us!