Half my tooth broke: do I need a crown or a filling?

The decision depends on three things: how much tooth is left, where the break is, and whether it reached the nerve. If only the tip of a front tooth chipped and the tooth is strong, composite bonding matched to your shade may fix it in one visit, or a veneer if other teeth also need cosmetic work. If half the tooth or more is gone, or it is a back molar that takes chewing forces, a huge filling weakens what remains; a crown wraps around the tooth and protects it from splitting.

If the break is deep and exposes the nerve or causes ongoing pain, root canal treatment usually comes first, followed by a core build-up and a crown. Occasionally the fracture runs below the gum or into the root and the tooth cannot be saved; then a single-tooth implant or a bridge is discussed. That is why the answer cannot be given from a photo alone; an X-ray is essential.

In Duhok, Dr. Khalid Saeed examines the tooth and explains in the written plan why a filling or a crown was chosen and which material: usually E.max at the front and zirconia crowns on molars. The crown can be made at Creative Art Dental Lab in Dubai to match the neighbouring teeth. Until your appointment, avoid chewing on the broken tooth, keep any fragment, and use a sensitivity toothpaste if needed.

If the break is painful or there is swelling, see the nearest dentist straight away. If you are outside Duhok, send a photo and any X-rays on WhatsApp for an initial opinion. Read more about chipped and broken teeth.

• Small edge chip: bonding or a veneer
• Half the tooth or a back molar: usually a crown
• Break into the nerve: root canal, then crown
• Root fracture: an implant may be needed
• Severe pain or swelling: see a dentist immediately