How Chipped Teeth Can Be Fixed
Did you have a fall, sports injury, or another accident that has left a tooth with tiny cracks, a major or minor chip, or a split? If so, there is no need to worry. Professional dental treatment will get your tooth repaired in no time.
We will explain what to do if you experience a dental emergency, how a dentist will fix a chipped tooth, and more, to help you protect your oral health.
What To Do When You Have A Chipped or Broken Tooth
Dental emergencies are unpleasant experiences that often happen when we least expect them. If you have recently had a dental emergency resulting in a broken or chipped tooth, there is no need to panic. Take these self-care measures before you see a dentist:- Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen or another over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce any pain.
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater to avoid developing an infection around the tooth or your gum line.
- Avoid hard candy and other tough foods; only eat soft foods to avoid biting on the damaged tooth and causing further damage.
- If the accident created any jagged edges or sharp edges in your broken tooth, cover it with a piece of dental wax, wax paraffin or sugarless chewing gum to dull the jagged edge. Covering the jagged or sharp edge will help prevent further injury from the broken or chipped tooth.
- Book a dentist appointment as soon as possible.
How To Fix Chipped or Broken Teeth
There are four options for tooth repair: bonding, crowns, veneers, and implants. The option your dentist suggests will vary depending on the condition of your remaining tooth. Book a dental appointment as soon as possible to get the medical help you need.Dental Bonding
Bonding is a great option if your tooth has small chips or cracks. The dentist will use shape and apply a composite resin to the cracked tooth, making it look and feel just like your natural tooth.Dental Cap or Crown
If a significant portion of your tooth is missing, your dentist will likely file it down to place a crown. A crown is a fake tooth that caps the chipped tooth, restoring its strength and appearance so you can smile, eat, and speak with confidence. The dental crown procedure is as follows:- Your dentist will perform a root canal to remove the dead or infected nerves, blood vessels, and other pulp from the root canals of the teeth. They will then fill the area where the pulp once was with rubber cement or sealant.
- After root canal therapy, the broken tooth will be filed down, and a temporary crown will be placed.
- The dentist will use another tooth similar to the original tooth to make a mould a colour match. They will then send the information to a dental lab to create your permanent crown.
- Once the permanent crown is completed, you will revisit the dentist to swap out the temporary one for the permanent one.
Dental Veneers
If your front tooth is chipped, your dentist can repair it by applying a veneer. A dental veneer is a thin shell of enamel-coloured composite resin or porcelain. The resin or porcelain covers the front portion of the tooth and is applied with bonding material. It helps cover any tooth injuries, reinforce its structure, and protect it from tooth decay. A veneer can also help brighten your smile as its fake tooth enamel can be a shade brighter than the darkened enamel caused by the trauma the tooth experienced.Dental Implants
If a crack extends below your gums or you have a split tooth, your dentist will opt for an implant to prevent further problems like tooth loss. A dental implant is an artificial tooth that will replace the entire tooth, from root to extremity.Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the implant placement procedure:
- Tooth extraction will remove the broken tooth from your mouth.
- A titanium post is placed below the gums to create an artificial root for your new implant. You will need to wait for a few months for it to heal because the surrounding bone needs to fuse with the titanium post before placing the implant.
- After healing is complete, the dentist will attach an abutment to the titanium post, creating a base for the implant to attach.
- The dental implant will screw onto the abutment, replacing the missing teeth or tooth. The implant will be specially designed to feel and resemble your natural teeth.
