How to Fix a Chipped Tooth: Restoring Your Smile
Teeth are remarkably strong, but accidents happen and sometimes you find yourself with a chipped tooth. Regardless of the severity, a chipped tooth can cause a good deal of stress concerning your dental health and even your appearance.
Luckily, there are a myriad of ways to solve this issue. With the help of modern cosmetic procedures, our dental team can provide a solution to restore the function and aesthetics of your smile.
Understanding Chipped Teeth
While it can be highly stressful, it is fairly common for people to experience a tooth chip, crack, or even break at some point in their life. This can be a minor issue – leaving just a slight, jagged edge – or it can be more severe, leading to sensitivity and pain.
There are numerous reasons for a chipped tooth, but some of the most common are: a fall/accident, teeth grinding, biting hard objects, and contact sports.
What should you do when you chip a tooth?
Give us a call. Even a minor chip should be assessed and checked for underlying issues. A chipped tooth can, in some cases, lead to more serious issues including infections.
If you have to wait a day or two, give the tooth a little TLC in the interim by sticking to soft foods and being gentle on the affected area when brushing your teeth.
Solutions for Chipped Teeth
Even if you’ve cracked your tooth in half, rest assured that a dentist will be able to fix it. There are also options for every level of severity.
- Dental Bonding (mild chip): a tooth-colored resin is applied to the chipped area, shaped, and hardened with an LED light.
- Dental Crown (moderate chip): a dental crown, or “cap,” is placed over the tooth. This is not only durable, but has a natural look.
- Porcelain Veneer (moderate chip): a dentist will take an impression of your chipped tooth and create a veneer to match your surrounding teeth. The thin and durable ceramic shell will then be bonded to the tooth’s surface. This applies when the chip affects the front surface of a tooth.
- Root Canal (severe fracture/chip): a procedure to remove infected or damaged pulp, clean, and seal a damaged tooth. A crown will then be placed for added protection. When a chip is extensive enough to damage the tooth’s nerve, a root canal may be necessary.
Preventing Chipped Teeth
You may not be able to prevent an accident, but there are ways to minimize your risk of chipping a tooth.
First and foremost, you should be practicing proper dental hygiene. Keep your teeth strong and healthy by brushing at least twice a day, flossing daily, and rinsing with mouthwash – and don’t forget your dental visits (every 6 months).
In addition, avoid chewing on hard objects, such as ice or hard candy. Make sure you use a mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night or play any contact sports (football, soccer, baseball, etc.).
Addressing a Chipped Tooth
Our highly-trained staff at Restoration Dental is ready to help. We’ll consult with you and provide the best treatment plan for your chipped tooth – whether it’s an emergency or not.
Give us a call or book an appointment online.
