How Your Dentist Handles A Chipped Tooth

If you have just chipped your tooth, call a dentist immediately. Emergency dentistry could be your only chance to save your tooth and prevent a host of health complications. 

Dr. Korol Dental in SW Calgary offers urgent dental services to a range of dental emergencies, including chipped teeth. Our dentists are proficient with a range of treatment options to restore your damaged tooth’s appearance and function with minimal pain and side effects. 

What Happens If You Ignore Your Chipped Tooth 

Some may think that a chipped tooth in the back of their mouth is not a cause for concern. Because nobody can see it, there is really no need to try to restore its appearance. 

However, the reasons to go see a dentist for a broken tooth are not just superficial. Here is what could happen if you leave a chipped tooth untreated:

Physical injuries: Chipped teeth may have jagged, sharp edges. You could easily cut your tongue or your inner cheeks when you eat or speak with a chipped tooth. 

Serious pain: Your tooth insulates highly sensitive dental nerves, which become exposed when the tooth protecting them is damaged. You could experience acute pain every time you eat something too hot or cold. 

Gum infections or diseases: A chipped tooth is vulnerable to bacteria entering the dental pulp, the part of the tooth that contains the blood vessels and nerves. An infection can lead to tooth abscess and tooth loss, and in some cases, spread throughout the body. 

What To Do When You Have A Chipped Tooth 

If you ever chip your tooth, the first thing you should do is to contact your dentist and schedule an appointment. In the meantime, you can minimize the damage to your oral health by:

• Cover sharp parts of the chipped tooth with dental wax or sugarless gum 
• Avoid hot, cold, or hard food 
• Rinse your mouth with warm water and use a cold compress to reduce swelling 

Ways For Your Dentist To Fix Your Chipped Tooth 

The treatment your dentist will administer to your chipped tooth depends on the extent of the damage. Conventional treatment options for chipped tooth include:

Filling: A dental filling is usually sufficient for repairing minor chips.

Bonding: For minor to moderate chips that are highly visible, your dentist may bond a tooth-coloured composite resin to the damaged tooth. The bonded material is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the tooth. 

Dental veneers: Veneers are effective to address more extensive chips or fractures. By covering the front of the damaged tooth with a tooth-coloured porcelain shell, the veneer restores the tooth’s function and protects it from further harm. 

Root canals: If the damage is serious to the extent that dental blood vessels and nerves have become susceptible to infection, a root canal may be necessary. 

Dental crowns: Usually paired with a root canal, this tooth-shaped cap fully covers a severely damaged tooth to prevent further deterioration and restore its function and appearance. A dental crown is often the only way to save a tooth that cannot be repaired by a filling. 

SW Calgary’s Emergency Dentistry 

A chipped tooth is almost never trivial. Even seemingly insignificant damage to your tooth can increase risks of infection. 

Call a dentist if you ever chip your tooth. A dentist has all the tools to treat it, regardless of the extent of the damage. Even a severely fractured tooth can be preserved with a dental crown. 

Dr. Korol Dental specializes in emergency dental services. Our easy-to-reach dentists treat all kinds of urgent dental problems, including chipped teeth, tooth loss, intense toothaches, broken fillings, and loose crowns or veneers. Are you experiencing one of these emergency dental issues? Call us at 403-245-9099 to schedule an appointment at our SW Calgary office now. 

FAQs

Q: How do I know if I have a dental emergency?
A: You should contact a dentist immediately if you are experiencing intense pain, swelling, bleeding, or pus coming out from your gums and teeth. Broken, loose, or knocked-out teeth also require immediate intervention.  

Q: How can I reduce pain or swelling prior to my emergency dental visit? 
A: Rinse your mouth with warm water and use a cold compress to reduce swelling. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications to reduce your discomfort. 

Q: Can a dentist reattach a tooth that has been knocked out? 
A: Yes. It is possible to reattach your tooth if it is well-preserved. The sooner you see a dentist, the higher the chances it can be safely reattached.