Dental injuries are a common issue in Australia, often resulting from facial trauma during a sporting injury or vehicle accident, teeth grinding, or biting down on something hard. A chipped tooth is one of the most frequent dental injuries. It can range in severity from a superficial enamel chip to a break that reaches the dentin or pulp.
What should you do if you chip your tooth? If you have a chipped tooth, you should immediately see an emergency dentist. They can determine the extent of the damage and what treatment is necessary. Sometimes, a chipped tooth can be repaired with a filling or crown. More severe cases may require root canal therapy or even extraction.
Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?
If you have chipped your tooth and experience any of the following symptoms, it may be a dental emergency, and you should see your emergency dentist right away: 
- Severe pain in the affected tooth
- Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Sharp edges on the broken tooth that are causing discomfort or injury to the tongue or cheek
- Visible cracks or chips in the tooth
- Bleeding from the gums near the broken tooth
Types of Chipped Teeth
There are different types of chipped teeth, categorised depending on the location and severity of the damage.
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Incisal Chip
This is the most common type and affects the front teeth. Incisal chips are usually caused by biting down on something hard or eating sticky foods. An incisal chip is generally not severe and can be repaired with a filling or bonding.
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Cervical Chip
These affect the base of the tooth and are usually caused by grinding your teeth or an injury to the mouth. A cervical chip is more serious than an incisal chip and may require root canal therapy or a crown, though it may not be a dental emergency.
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Avulsion
An avulsion is the most severe type, when the entire tooth is knocked out. This is a serious dental emergency and requires immediate treatment. You should schedule an emergency dentist visit if you have an avulsed tooth.
What to Do if You Chip Your Tooth: At-Home Care
While some chips are not a dental emergency, it is safest to see a dentist as soon as possible. The chipped tooth can still cause pain and other issues if left untreated. They can also be indicative of more serious problems.
If the chip is small and does not cause pain or sensitivity, you can try some at-home care measures to help relieve discomfort and protect the tooth while you wait to see the dentist.
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Rinse with Salt Water
Saltwater can help clean the wound and reduce inflammation. Rinse your mouth with salt water 3-4 times a day and after meals.
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Use Dental Wax or Sugar-Free Gum
If the broken tooth is sharp and causes irritation, apply dental wax or sugar-free gum to prevent the jagged edges from lacerating the soft tissue inside your mouth and protect your cheek or tongue from further injury.
The wax also seals the enamel to prevent bacteria or food debris from causing decay or infection.
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Avoid Chewing on the Affected Tooth
To avoid further damage, avoid chewing on the chipped tooth. Stick to soft or non-chew foods and cut your food into small pieces.
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Use an Ice Pack
If you are experiencing pain or swelling, you can use an ice pack to help reduce inflammation. Apply the ice pack to the outside of your cheek for 15-20 minutes on and off.
What to Do if You Chip Your Tooth: Chipped Tooth Treatments
The type of treatment you will need for a chipped tooth depends on the severity of the damage. Your dentist will take X-rays to determine the extent of the damage and what type of treatment is necessary. They will also ask about your symptoms and how the tooth was damaged.
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Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is when a tooth-coloured resin is bonded to the tooth to restore its appearance. This type of procedure can be used to treat small chips in the enamel and other cosmetic concerns.
The dentist etches the surface of the tooth with a mild acid. This roughens the tooth’s surface, so the resin has something to adhere to.
The bonding agent is applied to the tooth and allowed to dry.
Once the bonding agent has dried, the tooth-coloured resin is applied in layers and shaped to match the contours of your tooth.
A high-intensity light is then used to harden the resin.
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Dental Filling
Dental fillings are used to repair teeth that have been damaged by decay. The tooth is cleaned first. This involves removing the decay and bacteria from the tooth.
Once the tooth has been cleaned, a bonding agent is applied to the tooth. This helps the filling material adhere to the tooth. The filling material is placed in the tooth cavity and shaped to match the contours of your tooth, then hardened with a curing light between each layer. The filling material is polished to match the rest of your teeth.
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Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin, customised shells bonded to your teeth’s front surface. This procedure is unsuitable for repairing large chips. A veneer is used to treat multiple superficial chips and other cosmetic concerns, like stains.
Your dentist removes a 0.5mm layer of enamel from your tooth and takes an impression. This helps your dentist create veneers that are the perfect shape and size for your mouth. The impression is sent to an off-site lab for fabrication. Once the veneers are made, they are cemented on the teeth.
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Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used to restore severe chips that expose the dentin or pulp and have been damaged by decay or injury.
Your dentist cleans the tooth, removing decay and bacteria. They may need to build up the area with tooth-coloured composite resin or shape the tooth by removing a layer of enamel to accommodate the crown.
At No Gaps Dental, we offer same-day CEREC crowns. CEREC crowns are made from zirconia ceramic and are colour-matched to your natural teeth. This type of crown is made in one visit to the dentist and does not require a temporary crown or emergency dentist visits.
Restore Your Smile With Treatment for Chipped Teeth at No Gaps Dental
If you have chipped your tooth, seek treatment as soon as possible. Chipped teeth can not only be unsightly, but they can also lead to further damage if left untreated.
If you don’t know what to do if you chipped your tooth, contact No Gaps Dental on (02) 8007 6727. At No Gaps Dental, we offer a range of treatments for chipped teeth, including dental bonding, dental veneers, and dental crowns.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Dental injury
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-injury
10 Treatments for Cracked/Chipped Teeth
https://askthedentist.com/chipped-tooth/