A chipped tooth can result from many things, from decay to trauma. Teeth have an outer layer of enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. But enamel is constantly attacked by bacteria, acid, and plaque, weakening this protective layer, leaving your teeth vulnerable to chips.
There are several treatment options for repairing a chipped tooth. Sometimes, a chipped tooth only needs contouring, but more severe cases may require dental crowns. Find out what to do with a chipped tooth, including visiting your dentist for a dental exam and choosing a treatment option such as a dental crown to fix the tooth and restore its functionality.
Symptoms of a Chipped Tooth
You may not notice a chipped tooth until you experience symptoms, including:
- Toothache
- Gum swelling or tenderness
- Bad breath
- Increased sensitivity to hot and cold substances
It is essential to visit your dentist at No Gaps Dental to let you know what to do with a chipped tooth. If left untreated, a chip can become infected and require more invasive treatment.
What to do With a Chipped Tooth?
If you experience painful or bothersome symptoms, you may wonder what to do with a chipped tooth. While waiting for your appointment, knowing what to do with a chipped tooth can minimise discomfort and protect your tooth from further damage.
Control the bleeding
If it’s bleeding, use clean gauze or a teabag to apply pressure for ten minutes or until it stops. Black tea contains tannins which are hemostatic, causing the blood to clot. It is also antiseptic, helping to prevent bacterial infection.
Rinse your mouth
To reduce discomfort and the risk of infection, rinse with saline solution or warm water. If a piece has fallen out of your mouth, keep the piece moist in a clean container with milk or saliva, and visit your dentist immediately.
Manage the swelling and cover the chip
Use an ice pack on your cheek to minimise discomfort and swelling. Cover the affected tooth with sugar-free gum or dental wax if there are sharp edges to avoid injuring the soft tissue in your mouth.
Minimise discomfort
Use over-the-counter medication to control discomfort, and limit yourself to a nutrient-dense liquid and soft food diet.
Chipped Tooth Treatment Options
Dentists may recommend several treatments for a chipped tooth, including dental crowns, bonding, veneers, or composite fillings, depending on the extent of the damage.
Dental crowns
A dental crown covers an existing tooth, making it stronger, longer-lasting, and better looking. Dental crowns are tooth-coloured caps made of composite resin, porcelain, or ceramic that cover your broken or chipped tooth.
Before fitting your teeth for a dental crown, your dentist removes a layer of your tooth the thickness of the crown, usually about two millimetres. Then, they make a physical or digital mould and create the dental crown.
At No Gaps Dental, we offer CEREC Same-Day Dental Crowns, a new technology allowing you to avoid temporary dental crowns by using computer-aided design software to take a digital mould and create dental crowns in our practice. This allows you to leave the practice the same day with a fully restored smile.
The advantage of CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Crowns) dental crowns over traditional crowns is that you don’t have to sit through the messy impressions or book multiple appointments to fit your dental crown.
Dental crowns typically provide a longer-term fix than veneers or bonding. Most ceramic crown repairs last between 10 and 15 years.
Tooth contouring
Small chips do not need a full restoration like a dental crown; tooth contouring can fix minor damage. During a tooth contouring procedure, your dentist shapes and polishes the enamel to even out the tooth’s appearance and smooth any rough edges. It is primarily a cosmetic procedure for a superficial chip.
Dental bonding
Bonding is excellent for a minor chip or break. Bonding repairs the chipped tooth by applying layers of composite resin, shaping it to fit, and then hardening each layer with a UV light. Your dentist continues shaping until the bonding perfectly matches your tooth.
Composite fillings
Composite fillings are an excellent solution for a chipped tooth when the damaged area is small. Because composite fillings are white the restoration blends seamlessly with your natural tooth.
After cleaning and shaping the chipped enamel, your dentist applies a chemical etching agent to rough the tooth’s surface to allow the composite to bond more effectively. They then apply the composite resin in layers, curing each with a special light.
Root canal therapy
Root canal therapyRoot canal therapy is necessary when the broken, cracked, or chipped tooth is damaged below the gumline.
During a root canal, your dentist removes the pulp, consisting of connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels. Then, they fill the cavity with natural latex and seal the cavity with a filling.
In most cases, your restoration is completed with a dental crown to protect the tooth and restore its strength and appearance.
Dental veneers
Unlike a dental crown which can repair a damaged tooth, veneers are a purely cosmetic treatment. Veneers cover the front of the tooth to a depth of about one millimetre. This process saves more of your natural tooth but is an option only if you have minor damage to your chipped tooth on its front.
To apply a veneer, your dentist bonds it to your natural tooth with special cement, which hardens under a UV light.
Schedule a Dental Exam for Your Chipped Tooth
If you have a broken, cracked, or chipped tooth, make an appointment as soon as possible. Having your dentist fix your broken tooth prevents worsening dental issues and potential tooth loss due to bacteria and decay.
Speak to your No Gaps Dental dentist to learn about treatment options and decide if a dental crown is the right solution for you.
Schedule your dental exam today online, or call us on (02) 8806 0227 for more information about our services.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Dental Crown
https://www.healthline.com/find-care/articles/dentists/dental-crown
Dental Crown Procedure
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dental-crown-procedure
Veneers vs. Crowns: What’s the Difference, and Which One Is Right for You?
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/veneers-vs-crowns
Root Canal Therapy
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/root-canal-treatment
Veneers vs. Crowns: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for You?
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-a-crown-last