Treatment for a broken tooth depends on how severe the break is: minor chips can often be smoothed or bonded in a single visit, moderate breaks may need a crown, and breaks that reach the nerve usually require a root canal and crown, or extraction if the tooth can't be saved.

A root canal removes infected or damaged tissue from inside a tooth to save it, while an extraction removes the tooth entirely. We'll always try to save the natural tooth with a root canal first, extraction becomes the option when the damage or infection is too severe.

A toothache is an emergency when the pain is severe, doesn't let up, wakes you up at night, or comes with swelling, fever, or a bad taste from drainage. Mild, occasional sensitivity usually isn't urgent, but should still be checked soon.