How To Fix A Slightly Chipped Tooth?

How To Fix A Slightly Chipped Tooth?

A slightly chipped tooth not only creates an obvious aesthetic concern but can also create difficulty in eating and speaking. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry offers various options to fix a chipped tooth. If you also have a chipped tooth affecting your smile, this article is for you. So, continue reading to find out how to restore a chipped or cracked tooth cosmetically. 

How Do I Fix A Chipped Tooth?

A chipped tooth is one of the most common problems dentists treat daily. Whether you have chipped a tooth because of an accident or because of tooth decay, your dentist can restore it using various treatment options. For example, your dentist can place a tooth-coloured filling around the damaged tooth to restore its structure and appearance. Alternatively, they may use indirect restorations such as porcelain veneers or crowns to repair the defect. 

What Treatments Can Be Used For A Chipped Tooth?

The treatment option employed by your dentist for fixing a crooked tooth depends on various factors. For example, the location of the damaged tooth is an essential factor to consider. If the chipped tooth is not visible when you speak or smile, your dentist may focus more on reinforcing the tooth than its aesthetics. On the other hand, if the affected tooth lies in the front as is visible whenever you open your mouth, your dentist will use cosmetic treatment options such as:

  • Composite tooth bonding
  • Porcelain veneers
  • Crowns

For minor defects, bonded tooth-coloured composite resin restorations may be sufficient. However, restoring the tooth with a crown may be needed for more extensive defects. 

How Do Dentists Repair A Chipped Tooth?

The process of restoring a chipped tooth is simple. First, your dentist will make an x-ray image of the affected tooth to visualise if the underlying pulp tissue has been exposed. In case of pulp tissue exposure and subsequent inflammation, your dentist will first perform a root canal treatment procedure to treat the underlying problem. Afterwards, they will place a tooth-coloured filling around the tooth to restore its shape and aesthetics. If there is extensive tooth structure damage, your dentist will reinforce the tooth by placing a veneer or crown over it. 

What Should One Do About A Chipped Tooth?

A chipped tooth should never be taken lightly. For example, if the damage is so severe that it results in the exposure of the underlying dentin and pulp tissues, it can make the tooth sensitive and weak. Also, the long-standing pulp can lead to an irreversible infection inside the tooth. When this happens, the only option to save the tooth is to perform a root canal procedure. So, if you observe that you have chipped a tooth, you should visit your dentist immediately for treatment. 

How Do I Know If I Chipped A Very Small Part Of My Tooth?

Typically, chipped teeth become visible when you stand in front of the mirror while brushing or flossing. Alternatively, if you feel that one of your teeth suddenly has a sharp edge, it is an indication that the tooth has become chipped. Finally, if you start to get food impacted in one of your teeth, it is a sign of a cracked or chipped tooth. In other cases, chipped teeth are detected when patients visit their dentists for regular preventive checkups.  

Will A Chipped Tooth Smooth As Time Passes?

Having a sharp edge around one of your teeth is an indication that the tooth is either chipped or cracked. If the damaged tooth is left alone and treatment is not sought, the jagged edge may become smooth. However, once a tooth gets damaged, the defect continues to grow. So, over time, another part of the tooth will break away, leading to the formation of another sharp edge. This process will continue until the whole tooth is destroyed. That is why it is essential to get a chipped tooth restored without delay. 

Can They Reattach The Broken Part Of My Chipped Tooth?

When a tooth gets chipped, the broken piece cannot be reattached to the tooth. This is because the broken portion of the tooth is either decayed or has lost its blood supply. Hence, it will not be strong enough to resist the biting forces even if it is reattached. Therefore, dentists restore chipped teeth with suitable tooth-coloured filling materials or dental crowns. 

How To Determine If You Need Emergency Dental Work?

If you feel severe pain immediately after having a chipped, it constitutes an emergency, and you should consult your dentist right away for further instructions. On the other hand, even if you don’t have pain but have lost a significant amount of tooth structure, you still call your dentist for an emergency appointment as the tooth structure left behind is at risk of exposure and subsequent pulp inflammation. 

How To Take Care Of A Chipped Tooth Until My Dental Appointment?

A chipped tooth must be protected from the oral environment to reduce the risk of pain and inflammation. While you are waiting for your appointment with the dentist, you may place sugar-free chewing gum over the tooth to protect it. Alternatively, you may place utility dental wax over it so that the underlying pulp tissue is not exposed. 

Don’t let your smile and personality be affected by a chipped or cracked tooth. Fixing a chipped tooth is a straightforward process that can be quickly completed in one or two sittings. If you are looking for a dental practice in Newham to get one of your chipped teeth restored, Newham Dental is an excellent choice. We offer high-quality dental treatment services at affordable rates and under one roof. So book an appointment online today and let us take care of all your dental problems.