09 Jun

How to Repair a Chipped Tooth

Chipped teeth are uncomfortable and can impact your smile. Severe chips and cracks expose the sensitive insides of your teeth and put you at risk of infection. In order to properly preserve a chipped tooth, you should have your dentist repair it as soon as possible. At Lifetime Family Dental, we help our patients gain confidence in their smiles with a variety of restoration services—many of which will repair a chipped tooth.

Signs of a Chipped Tooth

It’s possible to have a chipped tooth without realizing it, especially if the damage is minor. Some symptoms to watch out for include:

• Feeling a sharp or jagged surface along your teeth
• Tongue irritation from scraping the jagged surface
• Pain from biting down on the affected tooth
• Gum irritation around the affected tooth

What To Do When a Tooth Gets Chipped

It may not always be possible to see a dentist immediately after chipping a tooth. Luckily, there are few things you can do to reduce pain and swelling before your appointment:

• Rinse with warm water to remove pieces of the broken tooth from your mouth.
• Apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
• Use a cold compress to reduce swelling.
• Eat soft foods and avoid biting down on the affected area.

How to Fix a Chipped Tooth

Teeth can chip or crack for a variety of reasons including from harmful habits and a variety of risk factors, such as:

• Nail biting
• Teeth grinding
• Chewing on ice
• Acid reflux or heartburn
• Tooth decay

Depending on the severity of your chipped tooth, your dentist will treat it with bonding, veneers, crowns, or dental implants. 

Bonding

Cosmetic dental bonding is the best solution for minor chips in teeth. Bonding is a process that will match the shape and color of your chipped tooth and fill the missing portion with composite resin. Dental bonding can last for several years with the right care.

Veneers

Porcelain veneers hide a chipped tooth by covering its front surface. Like dental bonding, veneers match the shape and color of the affected tooth. However, veneers are a more natural looking and longer lasting solution than bonding. 

Crowns

For teeth that are severely chipped or cracked, your dentist may need to apply a crown to prevent further damage. Dental crowns are also made of porcelain, but they cover the entire surface of the tooth instead of just the front.  

Implants

If most of your tooth above the gumline is missing, then you will need a dental implant. In this case, your dentist will remove the affected tooth and give the area time to heal before installing the implant. Dental implants are a long process because it takes months in between steps as your jaw heals and fuses to the post after the initial insertion. Then, a crown is placed over the post that replicates the missing tooth. 

Chipped Tooth Repair in Gilbert

Do you have a chipped tooth in need of repair? You can receive the right treatment you need with quality care at Lifetime Family Dental in Gilbert, Arizona. We provide a wide range of dental services for repairing chipped teeth and more. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (6/9/2021).  Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels