A Short Guide to Chipped Teeth

When you lose a small piece of your tooth enamel, you are left with a chipped tooth. In most cases, a dentist will fill the chip or smoothen the surface of the enamel to rectify the problem. However, you may need restorative treatment like a dental crown to fix it in a severe case. If you have a chipped tooth that needs fixing, you could search for a “weekend dentist near me” to have the issue looked at and fixed. This article will teach the causes of a chipped tooth, the importance of fixing chipped teeth, and the best treatment for chipped teeth.

Causes of Chipped Teeth

The apparent cause of a chipped tooth is an injury after being hit with a hard object in the mouth or falling on a hard surface. Other rare causes of a chipped tooth are biting on a hard object or cavities. In addition, a chipped tooth may cause pain when biting or chewing. The affected area may also become highly sensitive when the tooth comes into contact with something hot or cold.

There are several types of chipped teeth. Here are the two main ones.

Cracked Teeth

If you have a tooth fracture that extends to the tooth creating separate parts on the gum, we could say you have a cracked tooth. The part is painful when it touches the nerves. If you have a split root, the problem could extend to the nerves causing damage. In such a case, you may need tooth removal.

Broken Teeth

Broken teeth happen when a small piece of the enamel is separated from the rest of the tooth. A fractured tooth is painful when pressure is applied when biting. The enamel does not heal on its own, which means you must see a dentist to treat it.

The Benefits of Fixing Chipped Teeth

Even if a chipped tooth does not hurt, it is crucial to have it fixed by a qualified dentist because chipped teeth create uneven surfaces that can be difficult to keep clean. Therefore, they tend to harbor bacteria more than healthy teeth. Consequently, fixing chipped teeth is vital to avoid problems like bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

The way the dentist treats the chipped tooth depends on the extent of the damage. The doctor may choose restorative procedures or tooth removal in extreme cases. It is crucial to seek expert help in case of a chipped tooth to avoid tooth loss.

The Best Treatment for Chipped Teeth

If you go to a dentist to treat a chipped tooth or teeth, the doctor will assess the condition and suggest one of the following treatments.

• Dental veneers. These will help to cover the surface of the teeth by creating attachments that resemble your natural teeth.
• Dental crowns. In a difficult situation, the dentist will recommend dental crowns when there is a significant enamel loss or decay.
• Dental bonding. The doctor will apply a composite resin to the tooth to restore the chip.

Conclusion

It is crucial to treat a chipped tooth before it becomes problematic. Even if it does not hurt, treating it with dental bonding, crowns or veneers will help prevent bad breath, gum disease, decay, and tooth loss.