You’ve chipped a tooth. Now what? No matter whether the chip is minor or a large fracture, it’s important to call our cosmetic dentistry office to schedule an appointment.
Teeth can chip for a number of reasons, but no matter the cause, they will need treatment. Chips and breaks are not reversible and can progress into bigger issues if you don’t get them fixed.
Fortunately, there are several treatment options available.
Why Do Teeth Chip or Break?
Tooth enamel may be tough, but it can still chip or even break. Chips or breaks can happen for many reasons, including:
- Injuries
- Biting down on hard foods or ice chips
- Using your teeth to tear open packaging
Even grinding your teeth at night can lead to a chip or break over time.
Risk Factors for Chipped Teeth
Certain activities or lifestyle choices can put you at a greater risk of chipping your teeth, such as:
- Playing contact sports. Always make sure that you wear a mouthguard if you’re playing a sport like hockey or rugby.
- Eating hard candies or ice. Biting down directly on either of these things can increase the risk of chipping or breaking your teeth.
- Using your teeth to hold onto objects, open bottles or open packaging. Your teeth should only be used to chew food - nothing else.
- Having untreated cavities or tooth decay. Getting these issues treated early on can reduce the risk of fractures and chips in the future.
- Having acid reflux or heartburn, or eating sugary foods. Both of these can things can erode your teeth and make them more vulnerable to chipping.
Age is also a risk factor. If you’re over the age of 50, you’re more likely to chip or break a tooth because enamel naturally weakens with age. One study found that about two-thirds of people with cracked teeth were over the age of 50.
Also, if your tooth has previously chipped and you did not treat the issue, it will be more vulnerable to chipping again in the future.
While you can’t reverse the damage once a tooth is chipped, you can treat it.
What to Do If You Have a Chipped Tooth
If you have a chipped tooth, it’s important to call your dentist right away to schedule an appointment. Treating the cosmetic dentist issue as soon as possible can prevent further damage to your tooth and the need for more aggressive treatments.
If you wait too long to treat a chipped tooth, it may lead to further breakage that requires a root canal or extraction.
You may have to wait a few days or even several days for your appointment. In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to care for your tooth until the day of your appointment.
Caring for a Chipped Tooth Until Your Appointment
A chipped tooth doesn’t always cause pain, but if you do experience sensitivity or pain, you can take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen for relief.
Icing the affected area can also help with inflammation and pain.
Take care not to chew on the chipped tooth until you can see a dentist, and be mindful of any jagged edges that may cut or irritate your tooth or gums.
On the day of your appointment, we can discuss your options for repairing your tooth.
Treating Jagged Edges Temporarily
Chips and breaks can cause jagged edges that are incredibly sharp. They can easily cut or irritate your tongue or gums.
To prevent this from happening, there are a few things you use to cover the chipped edges of your teeth:
- Dental wax
- Tea bag
- Sugar-free gum
You may also want to consider wearing a night guard to protect your chipped tooth and the rest of your mouth when you sleep at night. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, a mouthguard will be crucial until you can get treatment.
Treatment Options for a Chipped Tooth
There are a number of treatment options for chipped or broken teeth. The right treatment for you will depend on the severity of the damage and where it’s located.
Veneers
If you’ve chipped your front teeth or the damage is more severe, veneers may be recommended.
Veneers are thin shells, typically made of porcelain, that adhere to the surface of your teeth. They’re made to look just like your natural teeth and are virtually invisible, so they blend in naturally with your smile.
One big advantage of veneers is that they last up to 20 years in some cases. They’re also easy to care for and typically are resistant to staining.
However, you will need to lose some of your enamel to place veneers, and this type of dental restoration is usually not reversible.
Still, veneers can be a long-lasting restoration option for front teeth that are chipped.
Bonding
If you have a minor chip, we may recommend bonding. Bonding is a procedure in cosmetic dentistry that can help repair a chipped or broken tooth using a composite resin material.
The bonding material essentially restores the missing part of the tooth.
One advantage of bonding is that it looks natural. The composite material can be made to match the natural color of your teeth.
The procedure is a simple one. All we have to do is shape the resin material to match your tooth and then harden the material with a UV light. Once cured, your newly repaired tooth will function just like normal.
Bonding is a quick and easy treatment for a chipped tooth, but it’s not always a long-lasting one. Typically, bonding material lasts anywhere from 3-10 years with proper care.
Bonded teeth require the same care that your natural teeth require:
- Brush at least twice a day
- Floss once a day
- Avoid biting down on hard candy, food or ice
- Visit your dentist twice a year for exams and cleanings
After your bonding treatment, avoid drinking alcohol, coffee or tea to prevent staining.
Fillings
Dental fillings are another treatment option for chipped teeth, especially for chipped or broken molars or back teeth.
Fillings can be made from a variety of materials, including:
- Composite resin
- Gold
- Amalgam (metal)
- Porcelain
Composite resin is one of the most popular options because it looks natural and is affordable. Gold is the strongest filling material, but it also has the highest price tag and may be noticeable when you smile.
If you have more than a minor chip or your back teeth are chipped, then fillings may be a great option for you. The procedure is quick and simple.
Crowns or Caps
If the chip caused extensive damage to the tooth, a crown or cap may be required. Crowns and caps cover the entire tooth. They add structure and support to the tooth to help prevent further damage and protect your natural tooth.
Crowns are a quick and effective fix for teeth with more severe chips or breakage, but they still require at least two visits to our office.
- During the first visit, we’ll take impressions to create the mold for your crown.
- During the second visit, we’ll cement the crown permanently into place.
In the meantime, we will likely place a temporary crown to protect the tooth until your permanent one arrives.
The permanent crown will be made in a lab and designed to match the natural color and shape of your tooth.
Root Canal
If the chip is severe or you’ve broken off most of your tooth, we may recommend a root canal. A root canal will save your natural tooth and protect against infection and decay.
Today, root canals are virtually painless.
- First, we’ll remove the pulp and nerve of the tooth.
- Next, we’ll clean and shape the root canal.
- Then, we’ll seal the space.
The last step is to place a crown on top of the treated tooth to restore its original function and look.
Extraction
We’ll take every step possible to save your natural tooth, but in rare cases, we may need to extract a chipped tooth. Extractions may be necessary in cases where:
- Your tooth is badly broken beyond repair
- You waited too long to treat your chipped tooth and it has progressed and become infected
We’ll only recommend extraction if absolutely necessary. Once the tooth is removed, you will need to consider replacing it.
You have many options for replacing a missing tooth, including:
- Dental implants
- Bridges
- Partial dentures
Implants are the gold standard for replacing a missing tooth because it replaces the lost root of the tooth and blends in naturally with your smile.
Don’t Wait to Treat a Chipped Tooth
If you have a chipped tooth, you may be tempted to put off getting treatment. But even if the chip is minor and you’re not feeling any pain or discomfort, you should treat your tooth as soon as possible.
Early treatment can prevent further damage and the potential need for a root canal or extraction.
