If you have recently chipped a tooth, you might be tempted to expect it to heal on its own. Unfortunately, tooth structure does not grow back, and neglecting to get your injured tooth repaired can lead to more serious oral health concerns. Here’s what you need to know about chipped teeth and how they should be treated.
Can Teeth Repair Themselves?
If a person avoids sugar and has good oral hygiene, teeth can heal from minor surface injuries through the process of remineralization. For example, a small dental injury like a tiny crack in the outer layer can seal itself over time by absorbing the minerals naturally present in saliva. However, remineralization will not heal more traumatic injuries like chipped or fractured teeth.
I Just Chipped a Tooth; What Now?
A chipped tooth is usually caused by injuries resulting from physical exercise, contact sports, an accident, or teeth grinding, and can include symptoms like mild to moderate discomfort, sensitivity, swelling, or changes in the tooth’s function or appearance. Even if the injury seems painless, it can weaken the tooth’s structure and provide a point of leverage for worse dental injuries later.
Immediately after your tooth suffers a chip, you should assess the damage and rinse your mouth out to clean the wound. If the chip is severe or causing intolerable pain, you should see your dentist as soon as you can, but if the chip is minor, you can avoid sugar and use over-the-counter pain relievers until your next dental appointment. Keep in mind that, even with minor chips, it is better to see the dentist sooner rather than later, so schedule one for repairs if your next regular appointment is a few months out.
How Should a Chipped Tooth Be Treated?
All chipped teeth require treatment, but the specific type depends on the severity of the chip. Minor cases will require dental bonding to fill in the missing piece, but more severe injuries may require a veneer. Sometimes, treating a chip will require a root canal before placing a dental crown due to the tooth’s inner layer being exposed to infectious bacteria. In the most severe instances, a chipped tooth beyond any hope of repair will require extraction and replacement.
Getting your chipped tooth the care it needs can prevent worse damage in the long run. Your dentist can provide treatments to restore your smile’s strength and appearance so it can continue serving you for decades to come.
About the Practice
Cambria Smiles provides a truly unique dental experience to patients in Cambria, CA. Led by Drs. Ramandeep Badhan, Andrew Van Sicklen, and Frank Fratto, the skilled staff is dedicated to delivering quality care while working for our patients’ good oral health and ideal smiles. Services include general, pediatric, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry. If you need treatment for a chipped tooth, contact the office online or dial (805) 927-4811.