A chipped tooth can be devastating depending on which tooth it involves and how bad it is. At Smile Concepts, we sometimes see patients who have a chipped tooth as a result of an accident or from simply eating something hard and crunchy. Depending on how big the chip is, it can cause discomfort and pain to the patient. Chipped teeth can make it difficult to eat and, in some cases, make it difficult to show your smile.
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Fortunately, we offer several different fixes for chipped teeth. Still, it is very important that you see a dentist as soon as possible after you have chipped your tooth. By putting off this important visit, you risk causing more serious, long-term damage that may result in you losing the tooth for good.
When a Chip First Occurs
We know that there are some situations when it is not possible to get to a dentist right away. You may find yourself waiting overnight or even over a weekend before you can get in. There are a few things you can do to care for the chipped tooth while you are waiting for your appointment:
· If the damage is causing pain, use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve the pain.
· Try rinsing your mouth with warm salt water for relief.
· Use wax paraffin or sugarless chewing gum to cover jagged edges of the tooth. This can help to prevent cuts to the lips and inner cheeks.
· Eat soft foods that do not require too much chewing.
· Avoid biting down on the broken tooth.
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Fillings and Bondings
Once you are able to see your dentist, they will assess the damage and make suggestions on how to best treat the chipped tooth. In many cases, a filling or bonding will be recommended. Fillings are used when the chip is small and has only affected the enamel of the tooth. If the chip occurred on one of the front teeth that is much more visible, dentists will often use a tooth-colored composite resin as a bond to the tooth.
Caps and Crowns
When there is extensive damage to a tooth, a simple filling or bonding may not be enough to fix the problem. A cap or crown may be used to cover the tooth and protect it from further damage. Caps are tooth-shaped and used to improve appearance while crowns are a more permanent solution. Crowns are typically made from materials such as metal, ceramic, resin or a combination of these materials. Different types of broken or chipped teeth require different types of crowns. We will make a recommendation once we are able to see the extent of the damage to your tooth.
I know from working with so many different patients in the past that chipped teeth require the right attention and the right sensitivity. My job is to offer you the best possible solution so you can return to your normal routine as soon as possible. Feel free to give me or my staff a call with more questions about chipped or broken teeth. 480-951-2800
