What to Do if You Chip Your Tooth
Here at Wynnewood Dental Arts, we’re a top-rated provider of emergency dentistry across Philadelphia, and our expert team is available seven days a week for dental emergencies. If you lose a tooth, chip a tooth, suffer from a toothache, have canker sores, or bleeding gums, call us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
If you’ve just chipped your tooth, here are five ways to protect the area:
- Numb the pain by taking ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or other types of over-the-counter pain relief.
- Use salt water to rinse your mouth thoroughly; this will prevent infection.
- If the chip has left behind a sharp or jagged edge, cover the area with a piece of sugar-free gum or some wax to protect your cheek and tongue.
- If you need to eat, try to manage with soft foods and avoid biting down on the damaged tooth.
How Will My Dentist Repair a Chipped Tooth?
There are several different approaches that a dentist can take to fix a chipped tooth:
Bonding or Filling
If a chip has removed a tiny piece of your enamel, our dentists may be able to repair your tooth by applying a filling. For the front teeth, we tend to use tooth-colored composite resin, otherwise known as bonding. This procedure is simple and typically requires no anesthetic.
Dental Veneers
If one of your front teeth is broken or chipped, we can make it look flawless and healthy by applying a dental veneer. A thin porcelain or composite shell is specially created and customized to match the rest of your smile. Next, the tooth is gently shaved down, and the veneer is glued on top, using special dental cement.
Dental Crown or Cap
If a substantial part of your tooth has been lost, our dentist may file down part of the remaining tooth and cap the area with a crown. Crowns preserve tooth functionality, improve aesthetic appearance, and protect the tooth. In severe cases where an area of tooth pulp has been exposed, a root canal procedure may be required. After the root canal is complete and the tooth has been saved, our dentists will place a crown on the tooth.
For more information, or to schedule emergency dentistry in Ardmore, PA, contact a member of the Wynnewood Dental Arts team today.
