Many people start panicking the instant they realize they have a chipped tooth. But whether you discovered it by running your tongue across the teeth or spotted the jagged corners in a mirror, a chipped tooth should not be taken lightly.
Besides the discomfort and sensitivity, leaving the tooth untreated can lead to severe dental troubles down the line. So, if you recently discovered a chipped tooth in your mouth, don’t hesitate. Visit a dentist as soon as you can.
Causes of Chipped Tooth
Surprisingly enough, there are quite a few instances that can result in a chipped or cracked tooth. Be it biting down on something hard or accidentally falling onto your face, any sudden force applied to your teeth can damage them, especially if you have weak enamel. This is why athletes tend to wear mouthguards when playing sports, even if the activity is non-contact.
A chipped tooth usually occurs from eating accidents. However, that only happens if you bite into something particularly hard or tough, such as a jawbreaker, chicken bone, ice cubes, etc. In some cases, tearing things open with your teeth or using them as a tool can also be severely damaging.
Is A Chipped Tooth A Dental Emergency?
Even though a chip in your tooth seems insignificant, it is actually a dental emergency. Leaving it as it is for a long time can lead to adverse effects. This is because the slightest crack is all it takes for the bacteria to infect and attack the teeth, giving way to inflammation, tender gums, and possibly tooth loss. Thus, to prevent these symptoms, it is important to visit a dentist the moment you take notice of a chipped tooth.
Here’s What To Do With A Chipped Tooth
Mentioned below are a handful of treatments your dentist will perform to ensure your chipped tooth is fixed:
Dental Bonding
In cases of a small crack or chip, the dentist often treats it through dental bonding. This is done by applying composite resin on the affected area and then curing it with a special UV light before filing the material down to make the tooth whole again.
Crown Placement
If a big portion of your tooth is missing or has fallen off, you may have to undergo a lengthy procedure to get a dental crown instead.
Root Canal Therapy
Your dentist might recommend undergoing a root canal if the crack in the tooth is big. That is to say, big enough to leave its insides exposed to external stimuli. A root canal, in that instance, can help clean out the tooth’s root and re-seal it.
Tooth Re-attachment
This treatment only applies if you keep the chipped piece of your tooth safe. Depending on the size of the broken tooth piece, the dentist could cement it back into place.
Dental Onlay
Known as partial crowns, dental onlays are used when the cusp of your tooth is chipped, helping to cover up the jagged area.
Conclusion
Rather than worrying about what to do with a chipped tooth, visit a dentist as soon as you can. This is to help prevent the affected tooth from worsening. For more information on the matter, feel free to contact SIMA Dental at (281) 457-6444. You can also drop by our dental clinic at Channelview at 14815 Woodforest Blvd, TX 77530, located next to Subway.