What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth?

A tooth can get chipped by different causes, from an accident to merely chewing. If a tooth gets chipped, it will need professional dental care to be properly evaluated and treated. It is essential to seek prompt treatment to prevent the problem from worsening.

If you have a chipped tooth, do not hesitate to seek treatment. Osuna Dental Care: Chris Y. Kim DDS in Albuquerque and the surrounding area is here to help. Call us today at (505) 884-1989 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.

Chipped Teeth Are Common

A chipped tooth is a common dental injury. According to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth account for a majority of dental injuries. Although a chipped tooth can induce panic and anxiety, it is typically a mild problem that we can fix through various methods.

People should remain calm so they can take the proper steps to fix this problem. The best thing for patients to do after chipping a tooth is to focus on their breath and slow it down. While not all chipped teeth will require treatment, patients should visit our dentist to ensure that they receive the necessary treatment to restore and protect their teeth.

“According to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth account for a majority of dental injuries.”

What To Do About a Chipped Tooth

People suffering from a chipped tooth should schedule a dental appointment since professional treatment is the only way to fix it permanently. It is important to immediately take certain steps after chipping a tooth to address pain and protect the tooth and inside of the mouth from further injury. According to the American Dental Association, people should rinse their mouth with warm water right away to clean it.

After rinsing, they should apply pressure to stop any bleeding and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. People should be sure to save any pieces of the chipped tooth and wrap them in wet gauze to bring to our dentist. While waiting to see our dentist, people can use over-the-counter pain medication to manage pain and discomfort.

“It is important to immediately take certain steps after chipping a tooth to address pain and protect the tooth and inside of the mouth from further injury.”

Chipped Tooth in a Child vs. Adult

Although chipping a tooth is common for both adults and children, there are different concerns for each. Chipped primary teeth are especially common in children. We recommend treatments to repair the damaged tooth based on the patient’s age and how badly the tooth is injured.

When treating chipped primary teeth in children, the main concern is to prevent damage to the underlying permanent tooth. Unlike an adult, a child’s permanent teeth are not fully developed and will require immediate attention if a chip occurs. Regardless of whether the chipped tooth occurs in a child or adult, it is important to see our dentist as quickly as possible for treatment.

“When treating chipped primary teeth in children, the main concern is to prevent damage to the underlying permanent tooth.”

Repairing a Chipped Tooth

There are various methods to repair a chipped tooth, depending on the state of the patient’s tooth and the type of injury. In some cases, our dentist can reattach the broken piece of a tooth. If the damage is minimal, our dentist may only need to use cosmetic contouring to polish the tooth’s surface or smooth a jagged edge. Other options include veneers to cover a chip or dental bonding to fill in missing tooth structure.

Chips that go below the tooth’s surface may require more extensive repair, such as a root canal or extraction. A root canal is necessary when the damage enters the pulp and infects it. Extraction is the last resort when a root canal is not enough to save a tooth. Patients should contact us to find out what repair options are available.

“There are various methods to repair a chipped tooth, depending on the state of the patient’s tooth and the type of injury.”

Maintaining a Treated Chipped Tooth

After treatment for a chipped tooth, patients must maintain a regular oral care routine. This maintenance includes brushing twice a day and flossing at least once. Patients should also follow all aftercare instructions to take care of the repaired tooth and protect it from further damage.

Other maintenance tips include not biting down on the treated tooth and refraining from chewing on hard foods and objects. Following the repair, patients should also attend all follow-up appointments and schedule regular dental checkups. These appointments will allow our dentist to check the repair and protect patients’ overall oral health to prevent a chip from happening again.

“After treatment for a chipped tooth, patients must maintain a regular oral care routine.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a chipped tooth diagnosed?

Our dentist can diagnose a chipped tooth by visibly inspecting the patient’s mouth. They will also ask about any symptoms and the event that may have caused the chip. Sometimes determining the extent of the damage can be difficult and may require the use of magnifying glasses, X-rays, or other tests.

How long does it take to repair a chipped tooth?

The amount of time it takes to repair a chip will depend on the extent of damage to the tooth. Our dentist will tell the patient how long they can expect their treatment to take during their consultation. In most cases, it only takes one office visit to fix a chipped tooth.

Who would need cosmetic contouring?

Cosmetic contouring is best for people with minor cosmetic problems like small chips. The patient’s enamel needs to be thick enough since cosmetic contouring removes one to two millimeters of enamel from the tooth’s surface. If the patient’s enamel is too thin, then we may suggest a different repair method.

What are the risk factors associated with a chipped tooth?

Weakened teeth are more likely to chip than strong and healthy ones. Tooth decay and cavities are common factors that reduce tooth strength and make chips more likely to occur. Teeth grinding, eating acid-producing foods, and acid reflux can damage the tooth enamel and weaken it.

How is a veneer applied?

First, our dentist will take a mold of the patient’s tooth to create the veneer. Then we will clean the patient's tooth and use dental cement to bond the veneer to the tooth. We will then use an ultraviolet light to harden the cement quickly, and the patient can leave the office with their improved smile.