How to Fix a Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth can usually be repaired in a single visit. Treatment depends on size: bonding for small chips, veneers or crowns for larger damage.
Small Chips
Composite bonding (from £127.50) is applied directly to rebuild the missing piece. Completed in 30-60 minutes. No drilling. Colour-matched to your natural tooth.
Larger Chips
Porcelain veneers (from £590.75) cover the entire front surface, ideal when the chip affects appearance significantly. Crowns (from £590.75) are used when structural integrity is compromised.
A Note from Dr Sarah Metias, Principal Dentist
In our emergency and same-day appointments at Station House, chipped teeth are among the most common presentations. The right fix depends entirely on how much tooth structure is involved. A small cosmetic chip is almost always resolved in a single appointment with composite bonding from £127.50. A chip that exposes dentine or causes sensitivity needs assessment first to rule out pulp involvement. If you're not sure how bad it is, call us — we'd rather assess it the same day than have you wait and develop worsening sensitivity.
Key Statistics
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chipped or cracked teeth as proportion of dental emergency presentations | 31% | UK emergency dental audit |
| Cases resolved with single-appointment composite bonding | 74% | of cosmetic chips |
| Cases requiring crown due to structural compromise | 18% | of chip presentations |
| Average appointment length for composite chip repair | 45–60 minutes | including shade matching |
| Patient satisfaction with composite chip repair at 6 months | 93% | practice audit data |
Clinical Evidence & References
- NHS UK — Chipped, broken or cracked tooth (nhs.uk/conditions/chipped-broken-cracked-tooth)
- British Dental Association — Dental trauma guidance
- Tyas MJ et al. (2000). "Minimal intervention dentistry." Int Dental Journal, 50(1), 1-12.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book your £40 Smile Consultation at Station House Dental Care