Fix Chipped Teeth
A chipped tooth can create bigger problems in one’s mouth than a small cosmetic blemish. Depending on where the chip has occurred, leaving chips untreated can lead to infection, decay, and even tooth loss, so it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible following this sort of injury. Caught early on, there are many ways to remedy a chipped tooth and prevent further complications.
Dental Composites
Dental composites are frequently utilized in filling or covering chips in dental procedures such as filling and bonding. Fillings are typically applied to chips or breaks in the tops of teeth, as they are designed to fill empty spaces from the bottom up. Bonding, on the other hand, is a form of covering a space created by a chip or break on the front of a tooth. Both procedures use a flexible dental composite to fill in the space created by the chip which is then hardened with the application of a special ultraviolet light.
Veneers
Veneers are most often applied to the highly visible front teeth that have been damaged by chips or breaks. Thin slips of porcelain or composite, veneers are custom-made to fit the shape and color of your existing tooth and then cemented on to the tooth with dental adhesive. Veneers can provide a completely refreshed appearance to one or more damaged teeth, making them a highly sought-after solution to chipped teeth.
Caps and Crowns
Chips or breaks that damage a large percentage of the tooth often necessitate a cap or crown to preserve and protect the tooth from further damage. In order for the cap or crown to be placed, the tooth must be ground down somewhat in order for the crown to fit within the structure of one’s existing teeth.
In some cases, a root canal may also be required, particularly if the chip or break has exposed the delicate inner pulp of the tooth. This exposure can lead to infection, which is what is treated by the drilling and debridement of root canal therapy. If a root canal is performed, your dentist will place a crown over the area after the therapy to restore the structure of the tooth and fend off further infection and decay.
At Home Care
Only a dentist can treat a chipped tooth, but there are some at home steps you can take to lessen the pain and discomfort of a chipped tooth while waiting for an appointment. Over the counter pain medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen can provide pain relief and opting for soft and easy to chew foods can lessen pain by simply limiting the use of chipped teeth. If a chip is causing pain to other oral tissues such as the cheek or tongue, a bit of food-safe wax can be placed over the affected area to protect those tissues, as can Dentemp, a temporary remedy that can likely be found in your neighborhood pharmacy. While waiting to see your dentist, bacteria-fighting mouthwashes and salt-water rinses can also lower your risk of developing an infection.