Chipped and Broken Tooth Repair in Liverpool
Broken a tooth? The repair may be simpler than you think.
A broken front tooth can feel like a disaster. The cosmetic dentists at Smileworks repair chipped and broken teeth every day, and it’s way easier than you think. We’ll explain what’s possible, what it costs and how we can make your smile whole again.
“repaired a chip on my front tooth”
“They fit me in the same day”
“fixed me right up in no time.”
Can my broken tooth be repaired?
Often, yes. A small chip may need just smoothing or a tooth-coloured composite repair. A larger break may need a filling, onlay or crown.
The size of the gap you can feel with your tongue doesn’t tell you how complicated the repair will be. What matters is where the tooth has broken, how much healthy tooth remains and whether the inside of the tooth is affected.
We’ll examine it, take an X-ray if needed and explain your options. You don’t need to work out which treatment to book before speaking to us.
“What feels like an enormous hole to your tongue can turn out to be a much more straightforward repair than you expected.”
Dan, dental hygiene therapist, Smileworks
Will my front tooth look the same again?
That’s the aim: the shape and colour of your tooth back, with a repair that is impossible to see.
For a chipped front tooth, we can often build up the missing corner or edge with composite bonding. We match the material to your tooth, shape it and polish it so the join blends in.
Teeth aren’t one flat colour. Matching a tooth with patches, staining or a translucent edge needs attention to those details. A tooth that has turned grey may need a different approach. We’ll explain what we can achieve with yours. You need a good dentist here and someone who’s going to use their decades of experience and thousands of cases to make the right decision, fast.
You don’t automatically need a veneer or a crown because you’ve chipped a front tooth. A small repair may be enough.
“We’re matching your tooth, including its colour and shape. The aim is for the repair to blend in so well that you struggle to see where it starts.”
Emma, dental hygiene therapist, Smileworks
“I felt completely listened to”
“fair and honest advice.”
My tooth broke around a filling. Can you fix it?
Often we can. Sometimes the filling itself has chipped or fallen out. Sometimes a piece of tooth breaks away around a filling that is still in place.
We need to check both the filling and the remaining tooth. There may be decay underneath, or a weakened section that needs more support than another filling can provide.
A replacement white filling may be suitable. If too much tooth has broken away, an onlay or crown may offer better protection when you bite and chew.
A broken tooth with a large filling does not automatically need removing. We’ll explain whether a repair is likely to last and what the alternatives involve.
Read about white fillings.
How much does broken tooth repair cost?
The cost depends on what has broken and the repair it needs. These are our published fees:
| Appointment or treatment | Published fee |
|---|---|
| New-patient dental examination | £90 |
| Emergency dental assessment | £195 |
| Composite bonding with a dental therapist, per tooth | £200 |
| Composite bonding with a restorative dentist, per tooth | £300 |
| White filling, one tooth surface | £212.75 |
| White filling, two tooth surfaces | £235.75 |
| White filling, three tooth surfaces | £287.50 |
| Dental crown | £977.50 |
These are individual fees, not an all-inclusive broken-tooth package. We’ll confirm the appointment fee, treatment cost and what is included before you agree to proceed. There may be other things we need to do so the price may be different. But you need a consultation to know.
For a small chipped edge, bonding or smoothing may be suitable. Ask us for the appropriate appointment and price rather than assuming you need a large filling or crown.
See our dental fees.
My chipped tooth doesn’t hurt. Do I still need an appointment?
Yes. Arrange to have it checked, even if it feels fine. A painless chip may be minor, but pain alone doesn’t tell us how much tooth has broken or whether there is decay.
Enamel is the hard outer layer. Underneath is softer dentine, with the pulp containing nerves and blood vessels further inside. A break can expose areas that need protecting.
Tell us if the edge is cutting your tongue, food is getting trapped or the tooth is sensitive. Checking it early can help prevent a manageable problem becoming more complicated.
When is a broken tooth urgent?
Contact a dentist promptly if you have persistent or severe pain, swelling, a loose tooth or an injury to your teeth. Tell us if the tooth has broken near the gum or it hurts to bite.
A whole adult tooth knocked out needs immediate emergency dental care. If you cannot get urgent dental help, call NHS 111.
Go to A&E or call 999 for serious facial injuries, heavy bleeding that will not stop, or severe swelling affecting breathing or your eyes.
What should I do before my appointment?
- Keep any broken piece in a container of milk or saliva and bring it. Sometimes it can be reattached.
- Avoid biting on the damaged tooth. Choose softer foods while you wait.
- Avoid very hot or cold food and drink if they trigger sensitivity.
- Don’t file the tooth down or try to glue it yourself.
- Ask a pharmacist about suitable pain relief if you need it.
Don’t worry if you cannot find the fragment. There are other ways to rebuild a broken tooth.
Which repair will I need?
What happens at my appointment?
We’ll ask what happened, whether the tooth hurts and what concerns you most. Then we’ll examine the damage and take any X-rays needed.
You’ll hear what can be repaired, how we would do it and the cost. A straightforward composite repair can often be completed in one visit. More extensive damage may need a temporary repair and further appointments.
If you’re nervous, tell us. We can explain each step, agree breaks and discuss what you feel ready for. Where clinically suitable, treatment can be planned over more than one visit.
“Tell us if you’re nervous or worried about the cost. We can talk through the options and plan the treatment around what you feel able to manage.”
Paula, dental hygiene therapist, Smileworks
“The results are brilliant”
“Very reassuring”
“So unbelievably caring”
What our patients say
“I cannot stop smiling and looking at my teeth.”
Steph★★★★★“Can’t stop smiling”
Lisa★★★★★“I'm finally confident with my smile.”
Lucie★★★★★“In just two hours I had my perfect smile”
Roma★★★★★“Oh my, I’m literally obsessed with my teeth.”
Suzie★★★★★“My only regret, I didn’t do it sooner.”
Sian★★★★★“Ecstatic!”
Eleanor★★★★★“Worth every penny”
Fay★★★★★“I now have the smile I have always wanted.”
Jill★★★★★“naturally beautiful”
Faye★★★★★so natural
Paula★★★★★JK explained everything to me step by step.
Faye★★★★★excellent service
Kirsty★★★★★I was reassured throughout.
Frankie★★★★★wow
AB★★★★★I am so happy with the results.
Natalia★★★★★incredibly skilled
Carl★★★★★My appointment was informative and I love my new smile.
Summer★★★★★life changing
Steph★★★★★Zarmina was very professional and friendly.
Ellie★★★★★incredible work!!
Emily★★★★★I'm finally confident with my smile.
Lucie★★★★★all round amazing
Mavis★★★★★I couldn't be happier with them.
Daniel★★★★★a perfectionist
Alex★★★★★I am ecstatic with how natural my results are.
Eleanor★★★★★my perfect smile
Roma★★★★★I actually fell asleep at one point.
Szymon★★★★★lovely & welcoming
Jessica★★★★★Paula’s work is fantastic.
Marie★★★★★top quality care
Nicky★★★★★Very good price and very helpful with appointments.
Elliot★★★★★Outstanding Experience
Lisa★★★★★My only regret, I didn’t do it sooner.
Sian★★★★★skilled and talented
Amy★★★★★Oh my, I’m literally obsessed with my teeth.
Suzie★★★★★stress-free
Alfie★★★★★I've got a new found confidence.
Chloe★★★★★Worth every penny
Fay★★★★★I now have the smile I have always wanted.
Jill★★★★★naturally beautiful
Faye★★★★★I honestly couldn’t recommend JK and Sav enough 🥰
Paula★★★★★massive thanks
Frankie★★★★★I’m really happy with the result.
Kirsty★★★★★so comfortable
Natalia★★★★★I would recommend Jimmy for composite bonding for sure.
AB★★★★★love my new smile
Summer★★★★★I could not be happier with the results.
Carl★★★★★Super happy
Ellie★★★★★I cannot stop smiling and looking at my teeth.
Steph★★★★★absolutely amazing
Lucie★★★★★I’m so impressed with the results!
Emily★★★★★amazing 😁
Daniel★★★★★I couldn’t recommend the SmileWorks team to enough people.
Mavis★★★★★ecstatic
Eleanor★★★★★I would strongly recommend Emma if you're looking for a dentist.
Alex★★★★★exceptional experience
Szymon★★★★★In just two hours, I had my perfect smile.
Roma★★★★★Wonderful experience.
Marie★★★★★I got exactly what I asked for.
Jessica★★★★★absolutely thrilled
Elliot★★★★★I definitely smile a lot more now thanks to Smileworks.
Nicky★★★★★a magician!
Sian★★★★★I honestly can’t stop smiling.
Lisa★★★★★literally obsessed
Suzie★★★★★Emma is very skilled and talented.
Amy★★★★★new found confidence
Chloe★★★★★I couldn’t be happier with the outcome!
Alfie★★★★★amazing work!
Sophie★★★★★Zarmina has made my teeth exactly how I wanted them.
Fay★★★★★
Will the repair hurt?
We use local anaesthetic when needed and check that the tooth is numb before starting. Tell us if anything feels uncomfortable so we can pause and address it.
How long will the repair last?
It depends on the size and position of the repair, your bite, the remaining tooth and how it is looked after. No repair lasts forever.
Our composite bonding comes with a six-month warranty, which we extend when you keep attending your hygiene appointments. Read about our composite bonding guarantee and annual composite review.
We’ll check how your teeth meet and discuss anything that could put the repair under extra strain. Grinding, biting hard objects and further knocks can cause another break.
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth and attend the check-ups recommended for you. Repairs need checking along with the rest of your teeth. Wear a suitable mouthguard for contact sports, and ask about protection if you grind your teeth.
Why does the same tooth keep chipping?
Repeated repairs need a closer look at the cause. Your bite, grinding, decay or the amount of tooth supporting the repair may be involved.
The way your teeth meet is called occlusion. If the position of your teeth is putting extra pressure on that tooth, we may discuss whether braces could improve your bite as part of a longer-term solution.
We’ll assess why it keeps happening before recommending another repair or a different restoration.
Let’s find out what your tooth needs
You don’t need to know whether it needs bonding, a filling or something more. You also don’t need to be brave, just come as you are. No judgements and no problems.
Tell us what has happened and we’ll help you take the next step.