Chipped Tooth Repair

A chipped tooth is a widespread occurrence among people of all ages. This tooth damage can be accompanied by pain, but many times just the surface of the tooth is damaged with no discomfort involved. The good news is that a chipped tooth can most often be repaired with a simple solution.

Before we get into how a chipped tooth repair is done, first, it is important to understand why you need to have the repair. Any damage to a tooth can potentially lead to severe damage. Every tooth within the mouth is an individual living feature. Because each tooth has its own lifeline, a tooth can die. Having your dentist evaluate any damage to your teeth is crucial to protecting your smile.

Even though tooth enamel is the hardest substance inside your body, it can be broken, chipped, or cracked. The most common causes for a chipped tooth are:

• Chewing ice or hard candy
• Biting down on something hard unexpectedly
• Using the front teeth for things you shouldn’t (e.g., cutting thread or opening a bottle)
• Falls or accidents
• Impact to the mouth
• Old fillings that no longer support a tooth
• Enamel erosion from acidic foods and drinks
• Underlying decay which weakens the tooth enamel

Obviously, the treatment options to repair a chipped tooth will be determined by how serious the cause of the chipped tooth. If a tooth is severely chipped to where it has or will fracture, the tooth may have to be extracted. But for minor chips, where just the enamel is chipped, it is an easy repair.

If you can find the part of the tooth that has been chipped off, place it in a small amount of milk and visit the dentist as soon as possible. If you cannot find the missing piece, don’t panic! Your dentist knows what to do. Through a simple dental process known as “bonding,” tooth-colored composite material will be attached to the tooth, molded to its desired shape, and then hardened with a special curing light. That’s all there is to it!

Contact ConfiDENT immediately if you need a chipped tooth repair.