If a patient has a chipped tooth, they know that it can be an unpleasant event. They may experience pain, discomfort, swelling, or even bleeding. Others may not even notice chips, which largely has to do with where the chip is as well as the dental hygiene of the individual. Some temporary fixes can be done at home; however, they will not lead to long-term resolution. There are a few options patients can do to protect their tooth until they can get to the dentist for treatment.
A tooth may be susceptible to breaking if it is weakened from decay or if a patient chews on something too hard. If patients find this painful, they can rinse their mouth with warm water, take over-the-counter painkillers, and reduce swelling by using cold packs. Patients can purchase dental wax or products at most pharmacies and retailers to temporarily cover any rough edges until they can get to the dentist. Patients should not chew on that side of the mouth, and they should try to keep it clean if possible.
Keep in mind that a tooth chip can lead to a break. A tooth may break so that the top portion of the tooth comes off and exposes the lower half of the tooth, and more importantly, the inner portion of the tooth can be exposed. Depending on how bad the break is, patients may even find that the tooth's nerves are exposed, which may cause tremendous pain.
Small chips can be painful, but if a tooth is chipped, it risks breaking further or experiencing a fracture, which can also be incredibly painful, much like a full break.
A dentist can look at a few different options to treat a chipped tooth. If there is not too much damage to the tooth, the patient may be able to get dental bonding to fill in any gaps. This is when a dentist applies resin onto the tooth, making it comfortable in shape and function. If the patient still has a piece of the tooth, the dentist may be able to reattach it.
Sometimes a chip can go deeper into the tooth and get close to the pulp of the tooth. The pulp is the innermost layer with vessels and nerves, making them very sensitive and painful if any damage gets to them. Since this part of the tooth provides healthy nutrition, it is important to keep it protected. If the pulp is damaged, a provider may need to remove parts of it before sealing it. A cap or crown can be placed over it.
If the molars or back teeth are affected, an amputation may need to be done to save the tooth. Surgery may be required if they suspect there may be further damage. Sometimes, a root canal cannot keep the tooth intact, depending on how much loss has occurred. At that point, extraction will likely happen. Patients can get an implant afterward to maintain your smile without a gap between teeth.
Depending on the treatment recommended by the dentist, there may need to be several follow-up appointments. An example is if the patient needs to get a dental crown, which will need to be made and customized for them. If the patient finds that they have a chipped tooth, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible so any further damage can be prevented. With dental technology now, even procedures that used to be dreaded are now seamless.
Dentists help with a chipped tooth
When it comes to any type of damage to a tooth, it is important to take it seriously. While a minor chip may not be painful, it can lead to further damage down the line. Depending on how the tooth chips, it can be very painful and should be treated immediately. Leaving a chipped tooth alone can lead to infection and other problems.
What can be done about the chip will depend on how bad the tooth is chipped and which of the teeth it is. For example, a front tooth that is chipped may be able to be repaired using dental bonding, while this is more difficult to do with back molars.
If the chip is severe enough, the dentist may need to remove that portion of the tooth and place a crown over it to protect it and restore function. If a patient experiences a chip in their tooth, tthey should talk with their dentist immediately about how best to treat it.
Request an appointment here: https://smilesnashville.com or call New Image Dentistry at (615) 591-4490 for an appointment in our Franklin office.
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