Need to know how to fix a chipped tooth?

A chipped tooth can happen at any age due to accident or injury. In fact, many cases of tooth chipping come down to bad luck – biting down in the wrong way.

Chipping a tooth doesn’t always mean there is a serious problem lurking. Still, you should make an appointment with a general dentist you trust to have your teeth examined. Sometimes a chipped tooth can be an early sign of tooth decay or other issues.

When you pursue treatment promptly, it’s even easier to repair a chipped tooth.

 

What to Do Right After You Chip a Tooth

If you chip a tooth, the first thing to do is to get a sense for the damage. If you experience pain, bleeding or swelling soon after the incident, it is a good idea to see a dentist right away. This constitutes a dental emergency: The tooth may be lost without prompt care.

That said, you should be cautious even if no symptoms accompany the chipping. Avoid using your teeth for things like opening packages or chewing on your nails; these activities put uneven force on the teeth and can encourage further damage.

If you’ll need to wait a while before you can see a dentist, it’s advisable to avoid chewing on the same side as your chipped tooth. Be especially careful with dense foods, such as apples. Keep brushing and flossing as normal, but make sure to be gentle on the chipped surface.

 

How a Dentist Fixes a Chipped Tooth

Depending on the location and severity of chipping, you have many options:

Bonding

Bonding is the fastest and most convenient response to a chipped tooth. A small amount of tooth-colored resin can be applied to the cracked area and bonded with a high-intensity curing light. This method is performed when just a little bit of your tooth is lost.

Veneers

Veneers are a thin shell that can be applied directly to the front surface of teeth. It helps with chipping, cracking and other problems that change a tooth’s shape. A veneer will restore the tooth to its original shape and size.

Crowns

A crown restores the tooth to its original shape and size and in many cases actually strengthens the tooth. Over the years, a tooth will develop many little cracks in the enamel that cause chipping and they can and will develop into major fractures which will cause a large portion of the tooth fall off. A crown is also known as a “cap” is usually made of porcelain or other enamel-like material that fits over the prepared tooth structure and is cemented in place, to restore the proper function of the tooth. It not only resolves chipping and cracking but protects against decay.

Dental Implants

If the tooth ultimately has to be removed, dental implants are the best way to get a strong and aesthetically pleasing replacement, which is anchored in the jaw with a special screw. An implant crown supported by a dental implant completely restores the tooth that has to be removed.

 

If you have concerns about chipped tooth treatment or simply need to know “how much does fixing a chipped tooth cost?” the best thing to do is get personalized advice from a top dentist in Houston. Medical Center Dental will be glad to help you – simply contact us today.