Content medically reviewed by Dr Ali Rifai.

broken teeth
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Help for Teeth Suddenly Breaking

Teeth breaking or crumbling apart is a very stressful situation to find yourself in. Whether it’s happening suddenly or you’ve always experienced an issue with brittle teeth, it’s something that needs to be addressed by a dentist immediately.

Near Surrey? Get help today.

chipped tooth

Why your teeth might be breaking

While your teeth breaking can feel like it’s sudden, they rarely break without an underlying reason, and in many cases, it’s actually a gradual problem that builds up over time before the tooth finally gives way.

Enamel is typically the hardest substance in the human body, but it’s subjected to constant, daily assaults that wear it down like acidic erosion, bacterial plaque, abrasion, and attrition – and it does not regenerate. When this is paired with poor oral hygiene habits, or just getting older, the teeth can begin to deteriorate, break, fracture or crack.

CauseWhat HappensRisk LevelCommon Signs
Teeth GrindingConstant pressure weakens enamelHighJaw pain, worn edges
Tooth DecayStructure becomes hollow and fragileHighSensitivity, dark spots
Large FillingsLess natural tooth leftMedium-HighCracks around filling
Trauma / InjurySudden force causes fracture like biting hard objectsMediumImmediate break
Acid Erosion / Weak EnamelEnamel softens over timeMediumSmooth, shiny teeth
Age & WearLong-term stress weakens teethMediumGeneral wear

broken tooth

What you need to understand

  • Teeth break due to being weakened over time, not one single event
  • Common causes include decay, tooth grinding and large fillings
  • Cracks start small and worsen without symptoms
  • The treatment depends on the severity
  • Early action is required to save the tooth
  • If a tooth has broken, it’s a sign of a bigger underlying issue

Once you notice your teeth breaking, the process will not slow down

When teeth begin to crumble or break, it often triggers a chain reaction that does not slow down or stop on its own. When this type of damage occurs, it’s usually the result of weakened structures due to decay, large fillings, and bruxism, which add further stress and lead to more fractures. So, if you’ve noticed a crack in your teeth, like a molar or premolar, it will likely get worse and not stop unless you address the problem.

straight teeth

Treatments to fix broken teeth

While a broken tooth can be frightening, it’s actually easy, straightforward and affordable to repair, with costs starting from just £250. But the overall cost to repair will depend on the type of treatment and the severity of the damage. For example, if the tooth has completely broken apart, you’ll typically require a dental crown instead, which can cost up to £850 or £20 per month using dental finance (60 months, 11.9% APR).

Broken teeth treatment guide:

Bonding | Crowns | Root Canal | Implant

TreatmentDamage LevelCostLongevity
Composite BondingMinorFrom £2503-7 yrs
Inlay / OnlayModerateFrom £4005-10 yrs
CrownSevereFrom £85010-15 yrs
Root CanalDeep/infectedFrom £95010-15 yrs
Extraction + ImplantUnsalvageable£205 + £2,15015-25 yrs

Dental finance is available for 12-60 months to spread the cost of your broken-teeth treatment, with the first 12 months interest-free.

Near Surrey? Get help today.

Want to find out more? Live locally to Weybridge KT13?

Libby Wheeler Smith is an accomplished dental copywriter at Vanilla Circus Ltd. She has been creating medically accurate content since completing her English degree at the University of Westminster and brings more than ten years of experience writing for dental websites.

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