Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in our bodies, but that doesn’t mean your teeth won’t experience wear over time. Teeth go through a lot of stress and strain, so many adults find themselves with a chipped tooth at some point. When you’re dealing with a chipped tooth, you may experience some unpleasant side effects, including pain and difficulty chewing. Here at Scott Edwards, DDS, we offer various solutions for a chipped tooth that will leave you satisfied and smiling!
Side Effects of a Chipped Tooth
The frustrating of a chipped tooth isn’t limited to cosmetic concerns. Chipped teeth can lead to many adverse side effects for patients, including trouble eating and sensitivity to hot and cold foods, which can be painful and inconvenient. Patients may also experience bad breath because of a chipped tooth. When you leave oral issues unchecked, they can cause the additional buildup of plaque and other bacteria, which causes bad breath.
Chipped teeth can even cause fevers and swollen glands in their neck and jaw. Most people don’t know about these incredibly painful side effects. When you choose to fix your chipped tooth, you’ll be able to experience relief and even a boost in your self-confidence!
Caring For a Chipped Tooth
We’re all human, and accidents happen! When you experience an injury or traumatic event that leads to a chipped tooth, it can feel overwhelming and even take a toll on your self-esteem. If your teeth are already damaged or decaying, they can chip from something as simple as eating hard foods.
If your tooth has chipped or broken, contact our office right away! We’ll set up an appointment to examine your tooth and determine the best course of action to help avoid any infection or additional damage. Until your appointment, follow these steps to keep your tooth as safe as possible:
- If you’re experiencing pain, take the same pain reliever you would take for a headache.
- Use a warm saltwater rinse to soothe and clean your mouth
- If the break has caused a sharp or jagged edge, cover the area with orthodontic wax to prevent cuts to your cheeks and lips.
- Try to eat only soft foods until your office visit to avoid further damage and pain.
Treatment for your chipped tooth will depend on how bad the damage is. For small chips, repairs are usually simple and can take place in one office visit. However, there are more severe cases that will require more than one visit.
Crowns & Bridges
Dealing with a chipped tooth can be detrimental to your oral health and your confidence. When your tooth is chipped or cracked, it can cause significant changes to your bite, leading to other complex (and expensive!) dental problems. If you have a chipped tooth, a crown is an excellent treatment option. Your dentist we’ll file down the chipped tooth before placing a crown over the area. Crowns are natural-looking covers for your teeth that can protect the affected tooth, giving you a seamless smile.
Bridges are great for larger, more severe chips or cracks. They’re used to fill large spaces in the teeth that can lead to additional shifting. We attach bridges to the teeth next to the damaged one along the gums using dental crowns. Bridges can be fixed or removable and can last for years if you take care of them.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are another effective solution for a chipped tooth. If you have a chipped front tooth, a dental veneer can make it look whole and healthy again! Our doctors offer porcelain veneers to shield and protect these teeth and give you a smile you’re proud to show off.
A veneer is a thin shell of ceramic that looks like natural enamel and hides a damaged tooth. The materials used to create porcelain veneers are durable and stronger than real teeth. They can even reflect light just like unaltered teeth, so a cosmetically enhanced tooth is indistinguishable from the rest. Dr. Edwards and Dr. Prince can permanently place porcelain veneers to revitalize your smile. We usually apply veneers over a series of two to three visits.
Root Canal Therapy
In some severe cases, your tooth may be so damaged that the pulp is exposed. If this happens, bacteria from the mouth can infect the pulp and cause pain, color change in your tooth, or extreme heat sensitivity. When infected, this pulp can die and, if not removed, cause your tooth to become infected and require extraction.
In cases such as this, a root canal may be necessary. A root canal involves extracting the dead or diseased pulp, cleansing the root canal, and sealing it. Once this process is complete, your dentist will typically protect the tooth by covering it with a crown.
Scott Edwards, DDS is Here For You!
You only get one smile, and we understand how important that smile is. That’s why our talented doctors and team are committed to providing high-quality, expert care for patients of all ages in Memphis, Germantown, and the surrounding communities. Once you know the various solutions for a chipped tooth, you’ll be able to make the choice that fits your needs. With treatment from Scott Edwards, DDS, you’ll be smiling again in no time!
To learn more about our wide range of dental treatment options, schedule an appointment with Dr. Edwards or Dr. Prince. Our team is here to help you get the beautiful smile you deserve!