Though tooth enamel is one of the hardest tissue, it can still be damaged. Patients commonly experience a chipped or cracked tooth after biting down on something hard such as candy, nuts or ice. It is helpful to know how to preserve your tooth and avoid pain or infection if you ever experience a chipped tooth.

When you have a chipped, broken or fractured tooth, it is critical to contact your dentist right away. Delaying treatment can result in additional tooth damage. It is also possible for the tooth to become infected, which may result in additional health risks or even the loss of the tooth.

Treating a Chipped Tooth at Home

If you are unable to visit your dentist immediately, the following treatment options can be done at home:

• Treat the pain or discomfort by taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Gargle with warm salt water to reduce the risk of infection
• If the tooth has a sharp or thin edge, cover it using a piece of sugar-free gum or wax paraffin
• If you need to eat before you are able to visit the dentist, only consume soft foods and avoid chewing with the damaged tooth

Repairing a Chipped Tooth

The treatment options for a chipped or broken tooth is dependent on the severity of the damage. If only a small portion of the tooth’s enamel is damaged, the dentist can typically treat the tooth in one visit. In the event tooth is badly broken or damaged, however, it will likely require a more expensive procedure for treatment and involve numerous office visits. Below are common methods used to repair a chipped or broken tooth:

• Filling or Bonding: When just a small piece of the enamel is chipped, the dentist can usually repair the damage with a small filling. If the damage occurred a tooth in the front of the mouth, the dentist might apply a tooth-colored composite resin, this is also called bonding. This procedure is relatively simple and does not typically require any numbing. The dentist begins the process by etching the surface of the tooth using a special product. They will then apply a special adhesive followed by the resin. After shaping the resin to give it a natural look, the dentist will harden the material using an ultraviolet light.
• Dental Veneers: In cases where a front tooth is chipped or broken, the dentist may repair it using a dental veneer. A veneer is thin shell of tooth-colored porcelain or resin composite material. Veneers are created in a lab and customized to each individual tooth. They are placed on top of the existing tooth using a special cement.
• Dental Cap or Crown: Patients lose a large portion of the tooth may be candidates for a cap or crown. The dentist typically files away a portion of the remaining tooth and then caps it with a crown. The crown is designed to protect the tooth and give it a natural appearance and function. In the event that the damage is so severe that the pulp is exposed, there may be damage or infection. If this case, the dentist will likely remove the infection through a root canal. Once it is removed, the dentist will cap the tooth using a crown.

If you experience a chipped tooth, contact your dentist right away for treatment. The dentist help determine which solution will best meet your needs.

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