Do this right now
Rinse and check
Rinse your mouth with warm water. Look for a sharp edge, bleeding, or a pink spot in the middle of the break — that is the nerve and means call now.
Keep the piece
If a chunk came off, put it in a small container with a little milk or saliva. Sometimes it can be bonded back on.
Cover a sharp edge
A piece of sugar-free gum or dental wax (pharmacy) over the edge stops it cutting your tongue or cheek.
Cold compress if the lip or cheek is swollen
Twenty minutes on, twenty off.
Call (530) 406-1730
Say it is a broken tooth and whether it hurts. We hold same-day slots Monday to Friday.
Do not
- Chewing on that side
- Very hot or cold drinks if the tooth is sensitive
- Super glue or home “repair kits” — they trap bacteria and make a proper repair harder
- Ignoring a crack that only hurts when you bite: it spreads
Go to the ER instead of us if
- A broken tooth after a blow to the head with dizziness, vomiting or loss of consciousness — head injury first.
- A cut through the lip or cheek that will not stop bleeding after 15 minutes of firm pressure.
- You have trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Swelling is spreading to the eye, under the jaw or down the neck.
- Fever over 101°F (38.3°C) with facial swelling.
We are open Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 2 PM and are not a 24-hour clinic. The nearest ER is Woodland Memorial Hospital, 2000 Sutter Place — or call 911.
What we do at the visit
Exam and X-ray
We check how deep the break goes and whether the root is cracked. That decides everything.
Small chip: bonding, same visit
Tooth-coloured composite rebuilds the edge in one appointment, usually without numbing.
Bigger break: crown or onlay
When too much tooth is gone, a crown protects what is left. A temporary goes on the same day.
Cracked root: extraction and a plan
A tooth split below the gum cannot be saved. We remove it gently and talk about an implant or bridge, with a written quote.
What it costs
The emergency exam and X-ray fee is quoted when you call. Any treatment is priced in writing before it starts, and nothing is done without your OK. Most PPO plans cover emergency exams; monthly plans through CareCredit and Cherry. We do not accept HMO plans or Medi-Cal.
Request a same-day call
Three details and we call you. If it hurts badly, calling is faster: (530) 406-1730
Questions people ask
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
Only if it hurts, has a sharp edge, or you can see a pink or red spot in the centre. A small, painless chip can be booked within the week, but do not leave it for months — chips grow.
Can a broken tooth be fixed the same day?
Most can. Bonding is done in one visit; a crown gets a temporary the same day and the final crown at a second visit. Cracks that reach the root need extraction, which is also done the same day.
How much does it cost to fix a broken tooth?
It depends on the repair — bonding, a crown, or an extraction. The fee is quoted in writing after the X-ray and before any work starts. Most PPO plans cover part of it; CareCredit and Cherry are available.
My tooth cracked but does not hurt. Do I still need to come in?
Yes, soon. A crack lets bacteria into the tooth. Sealing or crowning it early usually avoids a root canal later.
Other dental emergencies
Emergency dentist near: Davis · West Sacramento · Dixon · Winters · Esparto · Knights Landing