Broken or Chipped Tooth? Most Are More Treatable Than They Feel.
Most breaks are not as serious as they feel in the first hour. The key question — has the break reached the inner pulp? — determines whether you need bonding, a crown, a root canal, or a combination. Come in and we'll tell you clearly.
832-779-5522Describe what happened — we'll prioritize the slot.
What to Do Right Now
- ✓Rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean debris.
- ✓Save any broken pieces in a clean container with a little milk or saline — bring them with you.
- ✓Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek — 15 minutes on, 15 off — to manage swelling.
- ✓Avoid chewing on that side. Skip very hot, cold, or sugary foods.
- ✓Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen (as directed on the label) helps manage discomfort.
- ✓If there's a sharp edge cutting your tongue, dental wax or a piece of sugar-free gum can cover it temporarily.
Sharp pain with cold air or drink usually means the break exposed deeper tooth structure — call us the same day.
Types of Breaks — What Each One Usually Needs
Dr. Maddipati will tell you exactly which category yours falls into during the exam.
Enamel chip
A small piece of the outer white layer. Usually cosmetic — smoothed down or repaired with tooth-colored composite bonding in one visit.
Fractured cusp
A piece of the chewing surface breaks off, often around an old filling. Most need a crown to protect what's left of the tooth.
Cracked tooth
A crack that runs from the chewing surface toward the root. Hurts on biting or release. Usually needs a crown; if the crack reaches the pulp, a root canal first.
Split tooth
The tooth has separated into two pieces through the root. Usually cannot be fully saved — we explore whether one piece can be restored; if not, we plan extraction and replacement.
Vertical root fracture
A crack starting at the root, often painless at first. Frequently diagnosed only on X-ray. Most vertical root fractures require extraction — we'll explain why.
Craze lines
Tiny surface cracks in the enamel — common in adults, usually harmless and cosmetic. Often don't need treatment unless they bother you visually.
How We Diagnose and Fix It
Visual exam and X-ray
Dr. Maddipati looks for obvious fractures, uses a bright light and magnification to spot cracks, and takes an X-ray if the break may involve the root or pulp.
The "bite test"
Biting carefully on a small instrument helps isolate which cusp is cracked. Pain on biting down often means a different thing than pain on release.
A clear explanation, with options
We show you what we see on the X-ray or intraoral camera, explain what's reached the nerve and what hasn't, and give you treatment choices with estimated costs before anything starts.
Treatment
Minor chip → cosmetic bonding, same visit. Larger break without nerve involvement → crown (two visits; temporary first day, final later). Break reaching the nerve → root canal, then a crown to seal and protect.
What Can Go Wrong if You Wait
- The crack deepens. Chewing on a cracked tooth tends to widen the crack. A tooth that needed a crown this week may need a root canal by next month.
- The pulp gets infected. A cracked tooth is a pathway for bacteria. Once the nerve is infected, pain becomes throbbing, an abscess can develop, and root canal becomes necessary.
- The tooth can split. A tooth that splits through the root usually cannot be saved and must be extracted — a more invasive outcome than the crown that would have stabilized it earlier.
- Soft tissue injury. A sharp fractured edge can cut the tongue or cheek repeatedly and create ulcers.
None of this is said to pressure you. It's said so you can make an informed decision about timing.
Prevention
Most cracks in Houston-area adults come from four patterns: biting something unexpectedly hard (popcorn kernels, olive pits, ice), grinding and clenching at night, chewing on ice as a habit, and large old fillings that have weakened the tooth over time. A custom night guard is the single most effective intervention for grinders. For heavy old fillings, a crown replacing the filling can prevent the break entirely.
For athletes, a custom mouthguard protects against the kind of trauma that fractures front teeth. We make both during regular appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
General information only. When in doubt about the severity of your situation, err on the side of caution and call us or go to the ER.
Relief Is a Phone Call Away
Same-day slots are limited. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help.
Call 832-779-5522You're in Experienced, Caring Hands
Every patient sees the same doctor — Dr. Maddipati. No rotating associates.
A dentist who chose public health first
Dr. Maddipati earned her Master of Public Health before her dental degree — an unusual path that shapes how she practices. Accessible, honest, kind. She accepts Medicaid because she means it.
Patients often tell her she's the first dentist who made them feel truly at ease. That's not an accident — it's the whole point.
Insurance, Medicaid & Payment Options
We verify your coverage before your visit. You'll know what to expect before you arrive.
Medicaid, CHIP & Medicare Advantage
We accept Texas Medicaid (STAR) for adults and CHIP for children¹. Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) dental plans are also welcome. Call us with your plan and we'll look it up before you come in.
PPO / Private Dental Insurance
Emergency exams and X-rays are typically covered by PPO plans at the same benefit rate as routine visits, subject to your deductible. Problem-focused visits are usually a separate benefit category from preventive² — using benefits for an emergency visit generally won't affect your remaining preventive allowance. We check your specific plan before every appointment.
Plans accepted: Aetna · Delta Dental · Cigna · MetLife · Guardian · Humana · United Healthcare · Texas Medicaid · CHIP · Medicare Advantage · CareCredit · Sunbit financing³
Coverage varies by plan. We verify your individual benefits before your appointment. CareCredit and Sunbit financing subject to lender approval.
¹ Texas Health and Human Services — Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits: hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chip
² ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs — problem-focused vs. preventive benefit categories: ada.org/resources/practice/dental-insurance
³ CareCredit and Sunbit are third-party financing providers subject to credit approval.
Last reviewed: 2026