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Articles
You've Got a Chipped Tooth - Now What?
Even with the best dental care in the world, teeth sometimes get damaged. Mouth trauma can cause many problems from a chipped tooth to a tooth that is completely knocked out or broken off. The chipped tooth can be treated, but treatment will vary depending on how badly the tooth was damaged.
For the dentist to determine how the tooth was chipped and what the extent of the damage is, they will take an x-ray and do a comprehensive examination. If the tooth is minimally damaged, with little or no pain, and no root damage, the treatment may be as easy doing nothing or simply smoothing the tooth. Most often, minor chips are fixed with composite (white filling material) or bonding porcelain veneers applied directly to the tooth. This gives the tooth a smooth and natural appearance
If the tooth is badly chipped, with pain when chewing or drinking, or there is root damage, a crown may be used to fix it. The crown covers the chipped tooth and protects it while improving the appearance at the same time. A very badly chipped tooth may be filled with the same fillings your dentist would use to repair it. Veneers, crowns, and fillings can all be made to color match surrounding teeth. If a filling, crown, or veneer should become chipped, it too would need to be checked and repaire
In the event that a chipped tooth turns out to be very badly damaged, such as root or nerve damage, it may be necessary to perform root canal therapy to save the tooth or worse case scenario, extract the tooth and replace it with a dental implant. If you have trauma or injury to your mouth and are in pain (with or without visible damage), you should call a dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist will take steps to reduce the risk of further deterioration caused by unseen damage. If you find a part of the chipped tooth, be sure to take it with you to the dental appointment. A chipped tooth may sometimes be easily repaired if it gets immediate attentio
It is important to have your dentist check your teeth whenever there is trauma, such as a chipped tooth. Our dentists and staff here at Atlantic Dentists are ready to work with you to provide the proper dental care you need for good health and wellness. Please call us at 386-673-1611 to schedule your next dental check
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