Half My Tooth Broke Off
A tooth can break for a number of reasons, often without warning. Sometimes it’s the result of biting something unexpectedly hard, like an olive pit or popcorn kernel. In other cases, an untreated cavity weakens the structure from within until it gives way under pressure. Old fillings, grinding at night, and large restorations can all make a tooth more vulnerable to breaking.
Even healthy teeth can suffer sudden fractures from trauma, such as a fall or impact to the mouth. In these cases, the break may expose the inner layers, including the dentin or pulp. When that happens, the tooth becomes extremely sensitive to temperature and pressure, and bacteria gain an easy route into the inner tissue.
What Happens Inside a Broken Tooth
When half a tooth is gone, more than appearance is at stake. The inner pulp chamber, which contains nerves and blood vessels, can become irritated or infected. This often leads to persistent pain, swelling, or even abscess formation if left untreated. Once infection takes hold, it can spread to nearby tissue or bone, complicating future repair efforts.
Even if there is no pain at first, the exposed tooth remains vulnerable. Enamel cannot regenerate, so the structure will not repair itself. Over time, the rough, uneven edge can also wear against your tongue or cheek, causing additional irritation.
What to Do Right Away
If you find yourself in this situation, there are a few steps you can take before reaching the dentist. Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water to clean the area. If bleeding occurs, apply light pressure with clean gauze until it stops. Avoid chewing on the affected side, and try to stick to soft foods. If a sharp edge is irritating your mouth, cover it temporarily with dental wax or sugar-free gum.
If you can find the broken piece, save it in milk or saline and bring it to your appointment. Occasionally, a dentist can reattach it, depending on how clean the break is.
How Dentists Repair a Severely Broken Tooth
The treatment depends on how deep the fracture extends. If the break is above the gumline and enough tooth structure remains, your dentist may restore it with a crown. This approach restores both function and appearance while sealing out bacteria. For breaks that reach the pulp, a root canal may be required before placing the crown.
When the fracture runs below the gumline or the root is split, the tooth may not be salvageable. In that case, extraction is often the safest option. After removal, your dentist may recommend an implant, bridge, or partial denture to restore your bite and prevent surrounding teeth from shifting.
The Big Picture
Losing half a tooth doesn’t automatically mean losing the tooth entirely, but it does call for immediate care. The longer you wait, the greater the chance of infection or further structural loss. With modern restorative dentistry, most broken teeth can be rebuilt to look and function like new. The key is to act fast, protect what’s left, and let a professional determine the best path to recovery.