Broken tooth replacement becomes necessary the moment a tooth cracks, chips, or breaks unexpectedly. Whether it happens during dinner or when biting down on something hard, a broken tooth can cause pain, anxiety, and urgent questions about how it can be fixed.
Breaking a tooth is more common than you think. About 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and many of those losses start with a crack or break. The good news? Modern dentistry offers several broken tooth replacement options that restore both function and appearance. Moreover, acting quickly prevents further damage and saves you from more extensive treatment later.
Quick Answer:
Broken tooth replacement options include dental implants (permanent artificial roots), dental bridges (fixed prosthetics anchored to adjacent teeth), partial dentures (removable appliances), and dental crowns (when enough healthy tooth remains). The best choice depends on how much tooth structure remains, your budget, and your long-term oral health goals.
In short, Broken tooth replacement is needed when a tooth cannot be repaired with bonding or a crown. Dentists typically recommend implants, bridges, or partial dentures based on damage severity and oral health.
What Happens When a Tooth Breaks?
Not all broken teeth are the same. Understanding the severity helps determine which treatment option works best for your situation.
For a detailed breakdown of available treatments, read our guide on the 5 best dental procedures to fix a cracked or broken tooth in San Antonio.
Minor chips or cracks: Small breaks affecting only the enamel can often be repaired with dental bonding or veneers. These aren’t technically replacements but rather restorations that save your natural tooth.
Large breaks exposing the nerve: When a break reaches the tooth’s inner pulp, you’ll likely need root canal therapy followed by a crown. Root canal therapy achieves a 97% success rate when properly performed, with 85% of treated teeth lasting a lifetime.
Breaks at or below the gumline: When a tooth breaks off at the gumline, or the damage extends below it, the tooth typically cannot be saved. Consequently, extraction becomes necessary, followed by replacement.
Your Broken Tooth Replacement Options
Once extraction becomes unavoidable, you have three primary replacement choices. Each offers different benefits depending on your needs and budget.
Dental Implants: The Gold Standard
Dental implants have revolutionized tooth replacement. About 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, all of whom could be candidates for implants, and the technology keeps improving.
How it works: A titanium post is surgically placed into your jawbone, acting as an artificial tooth root. After the bone heals around the implant (typically 3-6 months), a crown is attached to the post. Furthermore, the implant stimulates your jawbone just like a natural root, preventing the bone loss that occurs with missing teeth.
Benefits:
- Looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth
- Prevents jawbone deterioration
- Doesn’t require altering adjacent healthy teeth
- Can last 25+ years with proper care
- Success rates range from 90% to 98%
Considerations: Dental implants represent the highest initial investment, with costs ranging from $1,500 to $6,000 per tooth in most areas. Additionally, the process takes several months from start to finish. However, a person who lost a tooth in 2025 had a better chance of getting a high-quality replacement than someone who lost a tooth in 2005, thanks to technological advances.
Living here in San Antonio, you’ll find numerous experienced implant dentists who use the latest 3D imaging and computer-guided surgery techniques, making the process more predictable and comfortable than ever before.
Dental Bridges: Fast and Fixed
A dental bridge literally bridges the gap left by a missing tooth. This option provides a permanent solution without surgery.
How it works: The teeth on either side of the gap are prepared by removing some enamel. Then, a three-unit prosthetic is created: two crowns for the adjacent teeth with a false tooth (pontic) in the middle. The entire bridge is cemented permanently in place.
Benefits:
- Completed in just 2-3 weeks
- No surgery required
- Costs less than implants (typically $2,000-$5,000 for a three-unit bridge)
- Restores chewing function immediately
- Looks natural
Considerations: Your adjacent teeth must be healthy enough to support the bridge. Moreover, those teeth need to be permanently altered to accommodate the crowns. The bridge itself typically lasts 10-15 years before needing replacement. Additionally, bone loss still occurs beneath the false tooth since there’s no root stimulating the jaw.
Partial Dentures: The Budget-Friendly Option
Partial dentures offer an affordable way to replace one or more missing teeth without surgery or altering adjacent teeth.
How it works: A removable appliance with one or more false teeth attaches to your natural teeth using metal clasps. You remove it daily for cleaning and wear it during the day.
Benefits:
- Most affordable option (typically $800-$2,500)
- No surgery needed
- Adjacent teeth remain untouched
- Can be made quickly (usually within 2-4 weeks)
- Can replace multiple teeth at once
Considerations: Partials are less stable than implants or bridges. They can slip while eating or speaking, which some people find embarrassing. Furthermore, the metal clasps may show when you smile. Most importantly, they don’t prevent bone loss in the area of the missing tooth. Nevertheless, for patients on a tight budget or those who aren’t surgical candidates, partials provide functional tooth replacement.
What Should You Do Immediately After Breaking a Tooth?
Taking the right steps immediately after breaking a tooth can make a significant difference in your treatment options.
Save the pieces: If possible, collect any broken tooth fragments and store them in milk or saliva. In some cases, your dentist might be able to reattach them.
Rinse gently: Use warm salt water to clean your mouth and reduce bacteria. Avoid aggressive rinsing that could disturb any remaining tooth structure.
Manage pain and swelling: Take over-the-counter pain medication as directed. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your cheek if swelling occurs.
Call your dentist immediately: Contact your San Antonio dentist right away, even if the break doesn’t hurt. Many dental emergencies cause no pain initially but can become serious infections if left untreated.
Protect the area: If sharp edges are cutting your tongue or cheek, cover them with dental wax or sugar-free gum temporarily.
Making the Right Choice for Your Situation
Choosing the best broken tooth replacement depends on several personal factors. Consider your budget, timeline, and long-term goals when deciding.
Choose implants if: You want the most natural, long-lasting solution, have healthy jawbone density, can afford the investment, and don’t mind a multi-month process.
Choose a bridge if: You want a fixed solution quickly, have healthy adjacent teeth, prefer to avoid surgery, and work with a moderate budget.
Choose a partial if: Budget is your primary concern, you need to replace multiple teeth, you’re not a surgical candidate, or you prefer a reversible option.
Your dentist will evaluate your specific situation, including the condition of your remaining teeth, jawbone health, budget constraints, and personal preferences, to recommend the option that serves you best.
Why You Shouldn’t Wait
When you lose or break a tooth, the clock starts ticking. After tooth loss, 30% of the alveolar ridge is lost in the first year alone. This bone loss makes future implant placement more difficult and expensive, potentially requiring bone grafting.
Additionally, the surrounding teeth begin shifting into the space within weeks. This movement can create bite problems, make neighboring teeth harder to clean, increase cavity risk, and cause TMJ issues from misalignment. Therefore, addressing tooth replacement sooner rather than later prevents these cascade effects and preserves your remaining teeth.
Your Next Step Toward a Complete Smile
Breaking a tooth feels devastating in the moment. However, with today’s advanced replacement options, you can restore your smile to look and function just like before. Whether you choose the permanence of an implant, the speed of a bridge, or the affordability of a partial, modern dentistry provides solutions that work.
The key is acting promptly. The sooner you address a broken tooth, the more options remain available and the better your long-term outcome. Don’t let a broken tooth steal your confidence or compromise your oral health.
If you’re dealing with a broken tooth in San Antonio and need expert guidance on replacement options, schedule a comprehensive evaluation at Hernandez Dental & Implant Center. We’ll examine your situation, explain all available solutions, and help you choose the path that fits your needs and budget. Call (210) 533-8191 today to take the first step toward restoring your smile.