A chipped tooth is no fun to deal with and can completely change the way you use your mouth. Chipped teeth occur for a wide range of reasons including hard food, high-impact sports, or car accidents. No matter how a chipped tooth occurs, you want to know your options when you go to visit a dentist.
In some cases, you may seek emergency services, and in other cases, your dental treatment may depend on the visual of the tooth and where the chip is located. Check out some of the dental treatment options to consider as you seek to repair your smile.
1. Emergency Dental Treatment
If a crack goes deep enough into a tooth, then you could impact the nerves and blood vessels that travel through the tooth and gums. In those cases, exposure to the tooth could put you at risk for an infection. If the chipped tooth causes you pain or sensitivity, then you should seek out emergency dental treatment.
A dentist may be able to see you on the same day or by the next day. You will want to have the pain treated and a dentist will likely form a root canal before doing any additional work on the teeth. A root canal can help prevent the spread of infection inside the tooth and through the rest of the gums.
In many cases, a dentist will seek out a crown treatment to cover up the tooth and offer maximum protection. A crown will prevent full exposure to the tooth and can prevent any more cracks and chips with the strength of the crown material.
If you have a chipped tooth that is visible, then you may not like the changed appearance of the tooth. The tooth could have sharp angles or be chipped in a way that makes it hard for a dentist to repair. One way to help is with a dental implant. With a professional impact, a dentist will remove the rest of the chipped tooth and then install a new tooth in its place.
With an implant, you do not need to worry about the the tooth getting worse or the appearance. A dentist can design an implant that matches the same shape and color of your original tooth so it blends inside the mouth. Some dentists may offer same day implants while others will offer an extended option to properly anchor and place the tooth in your mouth.
The end result will give you a semi-permanent tooth replacement that has the proper strength and durability to last for years to come.
In some cases, you may have small chips in your teeth. Your teeth may have a slight chip at the bottom or side that is hard to notice. While small chips may not require an emergency appointment, you do have some cosmetic options to consider. A dentist may determine a chip doesn't need a whole crown or implant, but you can cover up the chip with a veneer.
A veneer includes a small shell that goes over the front of a tooth. You can restore your smile with a veneer and even seek out extra veneers to match the other teeth within your smile. A dentist can match a veneer to the shape of your tooth so everything matches and the teeth do not look oversized compared with your natural smile.
A dentist can typically complete veneers in a single office visit and they will adhere to your teeth permanently.
For more information on chipped tooth repair, contact us at
Professional Dental Center. We can take you in for emergency appointments and answer any questions you have about chipped teeth and various procedures to help.
