It can happen really quickly. You are eating something, bite down a little differently than usual, or get hit in the mouth while playing a sport. Then you notice it. There is a rough spot on your tooth that was not there before.
Naturally, your first thought may be, “What just happened to my tooth?” You may also start wondering if it can be fixed or if you are going to need a major dental procedure.
Even a minor chip is worth having evaluated by a dentist rather than trying to gauge the severity yourself. Small enamel flaws can often be quickly polished down, whereas larger fractures might require rebuilding the tooth or placing a protective restoration. Because the proper solution depends entirely on the location and depth of the damage, a professional exam will clarify how far the fracture extends and outline the best path forward.
First Steps Right After It Happens
There are a few things you can do at home while you are waiting to see your dentist:
- Rinse out your mouth: Gently rinse with warm water to get rid of any small pieces of tooth or food that may be left around the area.
- Cover sharp spots: A chipped tooth can have a surprisingly sharp edge. If it keeps rubbing against your tongue or cheek, you can place a little sugarless gum or dental wax over it for the time being.
- Keep swelling down: If you chipped the tooth after getting hit or falling, use a cold compress against your cheek. An over-the-counter pain reliever may also help with soreness if you can safely take it.
- Hang onto fragments: Sometimes you can actually find the piece that broke off. If you do, keep it moist in a small container of milk or saline and bring it with you to your dental appointment.
Figure Out the Scale of the Damage
Not every chip is the same. A tiny piece missing from the very edge of a tooth is a different situation from a break that goes much deeper. Your dentist will look at how much tooth structure is missing and whether the deeper layers have been affected.
Minor Enamel Chips
These are usually small chips that only involve the outer enamel. You might notice a rough edge or feel something different when you run your tongue over the tooth.
If the chip is very small, there may not be any pain at all. In some cases, the dentist may simply smooth and polish the area rather than adding any material to the tooth.
Moderate Fractures
A larger chip can go through the enamel and reach the dentin underneath. This is where you may start noticing sensitivity.
Dentin has tiny channels that lead toward the inner part of the tooth. That is why a chipped tooth can suddenly feel sensitive when you drink something cold, eat something hot, or even breathe in cold air.
It may not be a severe injury, but it is still worth having the tooth looked at so the damage does not go unnoticed.
Deep or Severe Breaks
A more serious break can reach the pulp, which is the part of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. When this happens, you may have more noticeable pain or sensitivity. Bleeding can happen too, especially when the injury is significant.
If the break extends down toward the gumline, it needs to be checked promptly. Your dentist will need to see how much healthy tooth structure is left and whether the natural tooth can still be preserved.
Common Ways Dentists Repair Chipped Teeth
So, what happens after the dentist looks at it?
There is no single treatment for every chipped tooth. The repair depends on the size of the chip, which tooth is affected, how much tooth structure is still there, and whether the tooth is causing any symptoms.
Reshaping and Smoothing
For a very small chip, you may not need anything added to the tooth at all.
If the edge is slightly rough or uneven, your dentist can smooth it down and polish it. This is often enough when the chip is limited to a small area and the tooth is otherwise healthy.
It is a simple fix, but it can make a noticeable difference in how the tooth feels.
Composite Bonding
Dental bonding is often used for small or moderate chips, especially when a front tooth is involved.
- How it works: The dentist prepares the surface of the tooth and applies a tooth-colored composite resin. The material is shaped to match the rest of the tooth and then hardened with a special light.
- Why it helps: Bonding can usually be completed fairly quickly and does not normally require much removal of the natural enamel. The resin can also be matched to the tooth so the repair blends in with the surrounding area.
For many smaller chips, this can be a practical way to rebuild the missing portion of the tooth without a more extensive restoration.
Porcelain Veneers
A larger chip on a front tooth may sometimes be treated with a veneers, particularly when the appearance of the tooth is also a concern.
- How it works: A thin porcelain shell is made to fit over the front surface of the tooth. Some enamel is usually removed so the veneer can fit properly.
- Why it helps: Porcelain has an appearance that is similar to natural enamel and can resist staining. A veneer may be considered when the tooth has enough healthy structure to support it and the treatment is appropriate for the situation.
Veneers are not the right choice for every chipped tooth, so your dentist will need to look at the tooth first.
Dental Crowns
If a tooth has lost a significant amount of its structure, a crown may be needed. This can be especially relevant when a back tooth has chipped because those teeth handle a lot of pressure when you chew.
- How it works: The remaining tooth is reshaped so a custom crown can fit over it. The crown covers the tooth and helps protect the structure that is still there.
- Why it helps: A crown can restore the tooth's shape and chewing function while providing coverage for a tooth that has been weakened by damage.
The amount of tooth structure left is one of the things your dentist will consider before recommending a crown.
Root Canal Treatment
Sometimes a break is deep enough to affect the pulp inside the tooth. If the pulp becomes inflamed or infected, root canal treatment may be needed before the tooth can be restored.
- How it works: The damaged pulp is removed from inside the tooth. The area is then cleaned, disinfected, and sealed.
- Why it helps: Treating the affected pulp can deal with infection and help preserve the natural tooth when it can still be restored. A crown may be needed afterward to protect the remaining tooth structure.
Keeping Your Restoration in Great Shape
Once the tooth has been repaired, you still need to take care of it. The restoration is not a reason to stop paying attention to the tooth.
A few everyday habits can help:
- Brush and floss regularly to keep the tooth and surrounding gums clean.
- Try not to use your teeth to open packages, tear tape, or crack things open.
- Avoid biting directly into ice cubes and very hard candies.
- If you grind or clench your teeth at night, ask your dentist whether a nightguard would be useful.
- Keep up with your regular dental appointments so the restoration can be checked along with the rest of your teeth.
Restore Your Smile Today
A chipped tooth can be worrying at first, especially when you do not know how serious the damage is. The good thing is that you do not have to figure that out on your own.
A dentist can examine the tooth, check how deep the damage goes, and explain what can be done. In some cases, the repair may be quite simple. If more of the tooth is damaged, there are still several ways to restore it depending on the situation.
If you or someone in your family has chipped or cracked a tooth in Worcester, MA, Worcester Smile Studio can help you have it checked. Contact our team to schedule a visit and find out what type of treatment may be suitable for your tooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a chipped tooth always considered an emergency?
A: Not always. A small chip that does not hurt may not need emergency treatment and can usually be checked at a regular appointment. But if you have sharp pain, significant sensitivity, bleeding, swelling, or a large piece of the tooth has broken off, it is better to have it evaluated promptly.
Q: Can a chipped tooth fix itself?
A: No. Once enamel is lost, the body cannot grow it back. You may stop noticing the rough edge after a while, but the missing part of the tooth is still missing. Depending on the size and location of the chip, your dentist may smooth it, repair it with bonding, or recommend another type of restoration.
Q: How long does dental bonding usually last?
A: Composite bonding can last for several years, but there is no exact time that applies to everyone. How well you care for your teeth, what you eat, your biting habits, and things such as chewing ice can all affect the restoration. Your dentist can check the bonding during regular visits and let you know if it needs attention.
Q: Does repairing a chipped tooth hurt?
A: Many small repairs are quite comfortable. Simple smoothing or bonding may not require numbing at all. If you need a crown or root canal because the damage is deeper, your dentist can use local anesthesia during the procedure to help keep you comfortable.
