How Dentists Fix A Chipped Tooth
By Richard G. Bennett, Jr., DMDThere are many dental challenges a patient can face nowadays. From cavities and gum disease to root canal issues and tooth decay, the stream of negative dental situation is endless.
Among the trickiest scenarios is a chipped tooth, a situation that requires immediate yet detailed and meticulous care.
Luckily, dentists can indeed repair a chipped tooth, regardless of situation or extremity, so the damage is not undoable.
Here are a few informational tips to keep in mind on how chipped teeth occur, how to avoid them, and what dentists can do to help!
How Can Teeth Chip?
First and foremost, a chipped tooth can happen to absolutely anyone no matter the age, gender, or level of activity the patient engages in on a regular basis.
A chipped tooth occurs when a piece of the tooth enamel breaks off completely from the rest of the tooth. A small chip will not expose the dentin- the middle layer of the tooth- and won’t cause the patient any pain.
A larger chip, on the other hand, can reveal the dentin and can be very painful if not treated immediately.
Teeth can chip for several reasons: falling down, chewing a hard piece of candy, teeth grinding, sports, and more.
Should You Repair a Chipped Tooth?
The answer to this is absolutely! While small chips won’t be very noticeable, an average chipped tooth will leave jagged edges, lead to tooth decay and infection, and may even cause cuts in the gum and cheeks.
A chipped tooth of any sort should be taken care of at the dentist immediately in order to avoid any unnecessary consequences.
Is a Chipped Tooth Painful?
The pain level of a chipped tooth will depend entirely on how severe the situation is. The larger the chipped piece, the more pain you may experience.
For this reason, it is best to get the tooth treated sooner rather than later because it may be difficult to determine the gravity of the situation on your own.
Can You Strengthen Your Teeth?
Indeed, there are several steps you can take to strengthen your tooth enamel and avoid getting any chipped teeth easily.
Here are a few things you can do:
- Limit sugary foods and drinks
- Avoid over and under brushing
- Use fluoride
- Watch out for dry mouth
- Avoid grinding your teeth
- Get regular dental check ups
Chipped Teeth and Milk: Does It Work?
Did you have a tooth actually knocked out? While not necessarily for a chipped tooth -Milk is indeed a good solution for storing or cleaning a tooth because the cells from the root surface won’t swell up and burst like they would in water.
So, if you knock out a tooth, make sure to rinse it in milk and handle it by the tooth crown only.
Dental Solution to a Chipped Tooth
Repairing a chipped tooth is a process that dentists have mastered at this point. Through dental filling or bonding, the dentist will use tooth-colored resin and a liquid gel to essentially “create” the chipped part of the tooth from a synthetic material. Although the new portion will not be real, it will look like the patient’s natural tooth.
After initially creating the tooth shape, the dentist will then go in and shape the added piece to look like your original tooth.
For larger and more severe chips, dentists will go in with a dental cap or crown which are essentially entire teeth made of porcelain or metal. The dentist would file down the remaining original tooth and cover it with a cap or crown, making an entirely new “tooth” out of durable materials that will blend in with the rest of your smile.
Recovery Process for a Chipped Tooth
Recovering from a chipped tooth should take no more than 24 hours all in all on average, although some cases may be more severe.
You may be instructed not to chew or bite on anything hard for a day or two in order to avoid altering the shape of the “new” tooth. Taking an over-the-counter pain medication may help decrease any swelling or tenderness for the 24-48 hours after the procedure.
BGW: Emergency Solutions
If you encounter a dental emergency, BGW is here to help! Stay calm, don’t fret, and call our office at 678-582-8099. Our emergency dentist will be ready to help you in Gainesville and Braselton!
Check out our other emergency dentistry services and let us know how we can help you!