Just chipped your tooth? Don’t panic–it happens to a lot more people than we think. As scary as it seems, a cracked tooth is fixable.
This step-by-step guide explores how dentists fix chipped or broken teeth with options like bonding, veneers, and crowns, including the actual procedure and aftercare tips.
Understanding a Chipped Tooth
When a tooth is chipped, a piece of enamel breaks off. The hard outer coating of teeth, called tooth enamel, protects the delicate tissue inside. Although tooth enamel is the strongest part of the body, it is not unbreakable and can crack.
What causes a chipped tooth?
You may get a chip in your tooth due to trauma to it, or something like accidentally biting down on your fork.
Common symptoms of a chipped tooth
- Feeling a rough, uneven surface when running your tongue over your teeth
- Irritated gums surrounding the damaged tooth.
- Pain from biting can be severe if the chip is close to or exposes the tooth’s nerves.
Importance of seeking treatment for a chipped tooth
Although slightly chipped teeth rarely result in serious problems, they can make you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your teeth. On the other hand, dental repair is necessary to save your teeth from severe chips that reveal the sensitive tissue beneath the enamel.
Treatment Options for a Chipped Tooth
Dental Filling or Bonding
Dental bonding is often the best option for minor chips that haven’t seriously damaged the tooth’s structure.
During bonding, a tooth-colored filling material is applied to the chipped area and shaped to resemble the tooth’s natural shape. A special curing light is then used to harden the resin, effectively restoring the tooth’s appearance and functionality.
Dental Cap or Crown
When a large piece of tooth breaks off or has significant decay, a crown is needed to protect and enhance the tooth’s appearance and function. In these cases, the dentist may grind or remove some of the remaining teeth.
Dental crowns are used to replace damaged natural crowns of teeth. They are cemented over prepared and filed-down teeth, to provide a strong bond to the tooth structure, giving reliable durability and minimizing microleakage.
Metal, porcelain bonded to metal, resin, or ceramic materials are all used to create permanent crowns. The all-metal crowns are the strongest, whereas ceramic crowns can look almost the same as the original tooth.
To get a dental crown, you usually need at least two visits. However, some dental offices now have same-day crown technology that can make and place your crown there in about two hours–during a single appointment.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers, which are thin, custom-made shells made of ceramic or composite material, may be beneficial for slightly larger chips. Veneers are made to fit over the chipped tooth’s front surface perfectly, masking the damage and improving the tooth’s appearance.
To prepare your tooth, a minimal amount of 0.3 -1.2 mm of enamel is removed from the surface of your tooth. After that, an impression of the tooth is taken, which is sent to a dental lab for the veneer to be fabricated.
Your dentist will schedule your next appointment in a week or two to have the veneer placed. A liquid is used to roughen the tooth’s surface, followed by a special cement. The veneer is then positioned on the prepared tooth, and the cement is set using a special curing light.
Root Canal Therapy
If a tooth chip or break is large enough to expose the pulp, Bacteria from the mouth can enter and infect the pulp (the center of the tooth containing blood vessels and nerves).
If you experience a toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold, or tooth discoloration, the pulp is probably diseased or damaged.
If the dying pulp tissue is not removed, the broken tooth may get infected and require extraction. In root canal therapy, the dead pulp is removed, the root canal is cleaned, and the opening is sealed. A crown is then placed over the now-weakened tooth.
The Procedure for Fixing a Chipped Tooth
Initial examination and assessment: The first step in fixing a chipped tooth is a thorough examination. Your dentist will carefully examine the chip’s location, its size, and whether any additional damage has occurred.
Based on this assessment, the best course of treatment is determined, and dental X-rays are often needed to more fully understand how bad the chip is.
X-rays let your dentist evaluate any possible damage to the tooth’s root and adjacent structures and any additional concerns that could affect the overall treatment plan.
Discussing the treatment options: Based on the assessment, your dentist will discuss the treatments that are best suited to your specific situation.
Since every chip is unique, the best course of action depends on its size, location, and severity.
Aftercare Tips for a Fixed Chipped Tooth
A rigorous oral hygiene routine is key to maintaining the just-fixed tooth.
Even with a veneer, composite bonding, or crown, your tooth can still develop caries or gum issues if not properly cared for. Protect your oral health by brushing twice daily, flossing, using mouthwash at least once daily, and visiting your dentist every six months.
Dietary considerations
Avoid chewing on hard things: Even though dental bonding is long-lasting, you should avoid habits that could put your bonded teeth under unnecessary stress.
Chewing on hard materials, such as ice, pencils, or fingernails, can cause the bonding material to break or chip. If you frequently clench or grind your teeth while you sleep, you might want to get a nightguard to safeguard your teeth.
Eat less sugary and acidic foods: Sugary and acidic foods damage tooth enamel and the bonding substance.
You don’t have to swear off these foods entirely, but eating them in moderation is best. After eating them, you should rinse your mouth with water to help neutralize acids and lessen their effect on your teeth.
Regular dental checkups and maintenance: Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings so they can monitor the condition of your bonded teeth and address any concerns immediately.
Professional cleanings help maintain your bonding’s appearance by removing any surface stains or plaque buildup.
If you’re a smoker, try to quit or reduce your smoking habit as it can significantly improve the longevity of your dental bonding.
Conclusion
Chipped teeth can be a cause for concern, but they’re manageable with timely dental care. If a chipped tooth occurs, don’t wait to call your dentist; immediate treatment can restore your smile and teeth’s functionality.
