Fix Chipped Teeth

While tooth enamel is the hardest tissue found in the human body, it is not indestructible. It is common for patients to experience chipped or cracked teeth after biting down on ice, an almond or another type of hard food. When this occurs, is it helpful to know how to best manage the chipped tooth in order to preserve your tooth to avoid pain or infection.

If you experience a chipped, broken or fractured tooth, it is imperative to contact your dentist as soon as possible. Waiting for treatment can cause additional damage to the tooth. The tooth can also become infected, which may result in health risks and can also cause tooth loss.

Fixing a Chipped Tooth at Home

If you are not able to see your dentist right away, you can try the below treatment options at home:

• Treat the pain or discomfort by taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain reliever
• Gargle salt water to lower the risk of infection
• If the tooth is jagged or has a sharp edge, cover it with a piece of sugar free chewing gum or wax paraffin to protect the check and tongue
• If you need to eat prior to visiting the dentist, opt for soft foods and avoid biting down on the damaged tooth
• Treat the tooth with Dentemp, which is a product available at most drugstores and pharmacies. It allows patients to temporarily treat chipped teeth

Chipped Tooth Repair

Treatment for a chipped or broken tooth depends on how severe the damage is. If just a small portion of the enamel is damaged, the dentist is often able to repair the tooth in a single visit. However, if the tooth is badly broken or damaged, it may require a more expensive procedure which can require multiple office visits. The following are common solutions used to repair chipped or broken teeth.

• Filling or Bonding: If a small piece of enamel is chipped, the dentist is often able to repair the damage by applying a small filling. If the damage occurred to one of the teeth in the front of the mouth, the dentist may apply a tooth-colored composite resin which is called bonding. This relatively simple procedure does not usually require a numbing agent. The dentist will begin by etching the surface of the tooth with a special liquid or gel. They will then apply an adhesive substance which is followed by the resin. After shaping the resin match it to your natural tooth, the dentist hardens the material with an ultraviolet light.
• Dental Veneers: If a front tooth is chipped or broken, the dentist can repair it by applying a dental veneer. The veneer is thin shell of tooth-colored resin composite material or porcelain. Veneers are specially created in a lab and customized for each patient. They are then applied on top of your existing tooth using a special cement.
• Dental Cap or Crown: Patients who have lost a substantial portion of the tooth may be a candidate for a cap or crown. The dentist will typically file away part of the remaining tooth and cap it with a crown which is designed to protect the tooth and have a natural appearance. If the damage is so severe that the pulp within the tooth is exposed, you may experience pulp damage or infection. If this occurs, the dentist may need to remove the through a root canal. Once removed, the dentist will cap the tooth with a crown.

Contact your dentist right away if you experience a chipped tooth. They can work with you to determine which solution best meets your needs.

More on Fixing Problem Teeth : Fixing Tooth Pain & Ache