A chipped tooth typically occurs during an unexpected moment. As a result, many are not prepared for it and do not know what to do after it occurs. Whether you or someone you know has chipped a tooth and needs advice or you want to know what to expect if it should happen to you, you can find out what you need to know in this guide.
It is essential to seek prompt treatment after a chipped tooth to prevent more severe oral health concerns from developing. Every person who suffers a chipped tooth has a unique experience, but understanding what a chipped tooth means and what the risks are if left untreated can be helpful.
A chipped tooth is a type of dental trauma in which a part of the tooth is knocked or chipped off the tooth. The level of severity can vary from minor damage that is hard to notice to a more severe chip that extends toward the root of the tooth. The more severe the chip, the higher the risk of more severe oral health complications developing.
Avoiding dental treatments can lead to oral health complications such as:
Regardless of the severity of the initial symptoms, it is encouraged to visit the dentist after tooth damage occurs. Otherwise, gum and teeth concerns may develop, and a tooth infection could develop, leading to a need for more invasive and expensive treatment.
Often, the earlier that a dentist can treat a chipped tooth, the less invasive the treatment is. Initially, the dentist will treat the initial symptoms, such as gum swelling and bleeding, pain and tooth sensitivity.
They can also treat the chip directly on the first visit as well. The most common treatment options for a chipped tooth include a dental veneer, composite bonding and a dental crown. One may be preferable to another, depending on the location and severity of the chip. For example, a minor chip to a front tooth can be repaired more affordably with dental bonding, whereas severe damage to a molar likely requires a dental crown.
Prevention is the ultimate goal. Although accidents sometimes occur, people can reduce their risk of a chipped tooth by wearing a mouthguard while having bruxism, playing sport or being around construction zones and dangerous scenarios that may result in a blow to the face.
Our dental team has experience treating chipped teeth. If you have a chipped tooth and need prompt treatment to prevent worsening symptoms, then give us a call today to schedule a visit for chipped tooth restoration.
Request an appointment here: http://smilewellsouthbay.com or call SmileWell Family Dentistry & Periodontics at (310) 904-6375 for an appointment in our Torrance office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Chipped Tooth in Torrance, CA.
A cracked tooth may be a dental emergency if certain more severe symptoms develop. Although not every cracked tooth requires immediate attention, it is important to understand the more serious symptoms that indicate a cracked tooth is a dental emergency and requires prompt care.If your cracked tooth causes a high level of discomfort or increases…
Wondering when a tooth infection is considered a dental emergency? Read on to find out. This review discusses the situations in which an infected tooth is considered a dental emergency and requires immediate treatment from a dentist.An infected tooth that is not properly treated in a timely manner can lead to some severe issues, including…
If you are dealing with a knocked-out tooth, emergency dentistry is crucial. It is one of those injuries that tend to occur at the worst possible times. Most people think that their damaged tooth is lost forever once it falls out, but that is not true.Emergency dentistry includes treatments like re-attaching a knocked-out tooth. Knocked-out…
While it is always a good idea to have an emergency dentist on call, individuals can avoid a dental emergency and all the pain, cost and hassle that comes with one by taking preventative measures. In many cases, this simply entails adopting healthy lifestyle habits.Dental emergencies, which range from toothache to fractured teeth to abscesses,…
Eating with Invisalign ® aligners will be slightly different from your usual routine, but it is entirely manageable with minor adjustments. We often receive questions about eating with Invisalign, so we have answered the most common ones in this review to help you navigate this aspect of your orthodontic treatment. Understanding what patients can and…
When you go to the dentist for your annual dental check-up, your dentist will conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to ensure that they are healthy and free from decay or disease. During this visit, your dentist may use an instrument called a periodontal probe to measure how deep the pockets around…