A chipped tooth is a common dental concern we treat in our office. It happens during accidents and sports every day. It is not necessarily a dental emergency unless you are in great pain. However, we recommend contacting your local Owens Cross Roads, AL, dentist to treat your chipped tooth immediately.
Your dentist will need to repair your chipped or broken tooth. If you do not seek treatment, your tooth is susceptible to further damage and infection. Bacteria can enter the inside of the tooth and cause a painful infection. Or a small chip can weaken a tooth and leave it vulnerable to more severe damage.
Dr. Elizabeth Duling is an Owens Cross Roads, AL dentist who provides many treatment options for chipped teeth. She will examine your tooth to determine the extent of the damage and then suggest the proper treatment.
When is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?
You can schedule a dental appointment to fix a small chip in your tooth. It’s safe to wait a day or two to treat small chips or breaks in your tooth. We can fix small areas of tooth damage and watch for changes in your teeth at regular visits.
However, a large tooth chip or break is a dental emergency. Large tooth breaks can create severe pain and increase the risk of damage to your teeth and gums. A broken tooth can create pain when biting and chewing. A jagged, broken tooth can also cut the soft tissue in your mouth.
If you have just broken your tooth, rinse your mouth with cool water. Then, use a clean cloth to apply gentle pressure to your tooth. Bring any pieces that break off of your tooth. You can place the broken piece in a cup of saliva to keep it moist for transport to our office. Additionally, you can take pain medication as needed before you reach our office.
If you have a large break in your tooth, it is essential to contact our office. If tooth damage exposes the inner layer, your tooth is prone to infection. Harmful bacteria can enter your tooth and affect the nerves, cells, and blood vessels that keep your tooth alive. Emergency dental treatment for a broken tooth can save your tooth and prevent further dental problems.
Treatment for a Chipped Tooth in Owens Cross Roads, AL
There are multiple dental treatments we provide in our office if you have a chipped tooth:
Dental Bonding
Your dentist will suggest dental bonding for a simple, small chip in your tooth. This versatile treatment is commonly used for less complicated chips. It is affordable, and your dentist can complete the treatment in one office visit.
Your dentist will apply the composite resin directly to the tooth and sculpt it into the desired shape by hand. However, the bonding material is not permanent. Your dentist will need to replace it every three to ten years.
Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneer is a great choice to repair a chipped tooth if you are worried about aesthetics. This is a permanent solution that can treat moderate to major tooth damage. A tooth veneer is a thin shell that a dentist will bond the front of a tooth. This cosmetic dental restoration can hide any blemish, including a chipped tooth. We can custom-make it to blend in with the rest of your natural, remaining teeth.
Dental Crown
A dental crown is also used to treat a significantly chipped tooth. However, unlike a dental veneer, a dental crown will cover the entire tooth like a cap. This permanent solution will protect the tooth from further damage and restore its strength and function. Dr. Duling offers CEREC custom dental crowns. She can make and place your new crown in a single visit.
Root Canals
Most patients will not need root canal therapy for a chipped tooth. However, if the chip is severe and extends into the tooth’s root canal, it could damage the tissue. Also, if you do not seek treatment as soon as possible after you chip your tooth, you will increase your risk of infection.
In both instances, root canal therapy is necessary. To begin a root canal, we numb the tooth. Then, we remove the damaged or infected tissue inside the tooth. After removing infected tissue, we clean the tooth chamber or the inside of the tooth. Finally, we seal the tooth. We often cover the treated tooth with a crown, especially if damaged.
How to Prevent a Chipped Tooth
It is difficult to prevent this dental accident. However, simple steps can lower your risk of chipping a tooth. You can start by cutting out bad habits, including chewing on hard objects. This would include ice, hard candies, pens, pencils, etc.
Avoid biting your nails, as this increases the risk of chipping or cracking a tooth. Additionally, don’t use your teeth to open objects. Opt for scissors instead.
Also, we offer custom mouthguards for patients who play sports. These are superior to the over-the-counter boil-and-bite mouthguards. Our custom mouthguards are made of stronger and thicker materials than store-bought options. They will cushion a hard blow to the face, better protecting your teeth while you are playing the game.
You can receive a night guard if you clench or grind your teeth. Similar to sports mouthguards, a night guard covers the teeth. A nightguard can cover the upper or lower teeth with a hard plastic. Custom-made night guards prevent further tooth wear, jaw pain, and headaches. If you have damage from teeth grinding, we can provide treatment to fix your teeth.
Chipped Tooth FAQs
A chipped tooth is one of the most common dental concerns. Chips can vary from tiny cosmetic chips to severe ones that break off a large portion of your tooth. Read the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more.
Why did my tooth chip?
Many different things can cause a tooth to chip. One of the most common is trauma. You may have a hit that knocks your teeth together or accidentally bite down hard on a fork while eating. Older teeth or teeth weakened by decay are more likely to chip than others. Grinding your teeth can also cause a tooth to chip.
How urgent is a chipped tooth?
It depends on how bad the chip is. If it’s small and you aren’t experiencing any pain or discomfort, it’s something that can wait. A large and jagged chip can endanger all of the soft tissues in your mouth and needs to be seen immediately. This is especially true if you experience pain or bleeding with it.
How long can I go without treating my chipped tooth?
If it’s a severe chip, you must see a dentist immediately. When a chip exposes the dental pulp, you risk infection and the nerve dying. The nerve takes around two weeks to die, after which we can’t salvage the tooth. A deep infection can get into the tooth, causing more pain and requiring intensive dental care in the future.
Can a chipped tooth smooth out on its own?
If you have a very tiny chip, it may smooth out over time. The enamel doesn’t grow back when you lose a part of your tooth. But, over time, a small chip can smooth out due to your saliva. Saliva helps shape your teeth and keep bacteria away from them.
Will a chipped tooth stop hurting on its own?
If a chip is bad enough to be painful, it won’t just go away. This likely means that the dental pulp and nerves are exposed. Touching them with food and beverages can cause debilitating pain. The soft tissue that makes up your dental pulp is especially vulnerable to infection. This increases the pain and can lead to other complications.
How do I fix a chipped tooth?
Never try to fix a chipped tooth on your own. If you attempt over-the-counter fixes, you can cause more harm to your tooth. At our office, we have various ways to fix your tooth, depending on how bad it is. For mild chips, dental bonding is usually the best option. More severe teeth may require a dental crown or further restoration to protect them properly.
Fix Tooth Damage Today
Have you just damaged a tooth? Prevent more tooth damage with prompt dental care. Call 256.202.4186 to fix your chipped tooth in Owens Cross Roads, AL. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Duling online.
If you have any questions about how to treat a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, let us know. We’re here to help you find the right treatment.