What causes a chipped tooth?
Natural teeth are strong, but there are, however, a number of ways they can become chipped, broken or cracked.
What should you do if your tooth is chipped?
In addition to making an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible, you should take the following steps.
Remember, additional damage, including tooth loss, could occur if you delay in seeking treatment from your dentist.
How is a chipped tooth repaired?
The method of treatment your dentist uses to repair your tooth will depend on how badly it has been damaged.
In the case of a small piece of enamel which has broken off, the dentist will probably either do a filling, or perform bonding if it is a visible front tooth. Bonding is a procedure that starts with applying an etching liquid that roughens the tooth surface so that the bonding will adhere to it. An adhesive is applied, and then the bonding material, which the dentist will shape so that the result will look like an undamaged tooth.
If a large part of the tooth has broken off, the dentist may repair it with a cap or crown. A crown is an artificial replacement for the portion of the tooth visible above the gum line. Crowns can be made from ceramic, metal, resin or porcelain fused to metal.
If the entire visible part of a tooth has been broken off, the dentist can place one or more slender pins in the roots, called posts, and then add more material to the top of the tooth, and then use that as a base to attach a crown.
Natural teeth are strong, but there are, however, a number of ways they can become chipped, broken or cracked.
- Being hit in the face
- Biting something hard
- Cavity can compromise the integrity of your tooth causing breakage when biting on something hard (such as ice or hard candy) or with impact
- Falling and coming in contact with a hard object or surface
- Large, old amalgam filling which doesn't support the enamel of the remaining tooth
What should you do if your tooth is chipped?
In addition to making an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible, you should take the following steps.
- Avoid biting any food with the chipped tooth. You don't want to cause further damage before the tooth can be repaired. Although, soft foods can be consumed as long as the broken tooth is avoided during chewing.
- If your mouth hurts, take acetaminophen or another pain reliever.
- If the tooth has a jagged or sharp edge, cover it with sugarless chewing gum to keep your tongue from being injured.
- Rinse your mouth with salt water.
Remember, additional damage, including tooth loss, could occur if you delay in seeking treatment from your dentist.
How is a chipped tooth repaired?
The method of treatment your dentist uses to repair your tooth will depend on how badly it has been damaged.
In the case of a small piece of enamel which has broken off, the dentist will probably either do a filling, or perform bonding if it is a visible front tooth. Bonding is a procedure that starts with applying an etching liquid that roughens the tooth surface so that the bonding will adhere to it. An adhesive is applied, and then the bonding material, which the dentist will shape so that the result will look like an undamaged tooth.
If a large part of the tooth has broken off, the dentist may repair it with a cap or crown. A crown is an artificial replacement for the portion of the tooth visible above the gum line. Crowns can be made from ceramic, metal, resin or porcelain fused to metal.
If the entire visible part of a tooth has been broken off, the dentist can place one or more slender pins in the roots, called posts, and then add more material to the top of the tooth, and then use that as a base to attach a crown.
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