- External physical impact or weakened enamel can cause a chipped tooth. Avoid biting on hard foods and wear a mouthguard during contact sports to prevent tooth injury.
- A dentist can restore a chipped tooth with a variety of dental treatments, including fillings, crowns, onlays, veneers, and root canal therapy. Dental treatment depends on the severity of the injury and its location.
- It is essential to see a doctor immediately to prevent a severe infection or inflammation from a broken tooth.
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Are you unsure what treatment you need for your chipped tooth? Here's everything you need to know.
Causes of chipped teeth
Biting hard foods is the most common cause of broken teeth. Avoid biting on hard candy or ice to decrease the risk of breaking a tooth. However, you may still accidentally come across stones that you may find in cereals.
Individuals who participate in contact sports are at a higher risk of sustaining dental injuries. To protect their smile, it is recommended that athletes wear a mouth guard. If you believe you have signs of bruxism, such as clenching or grinding your teeth, it may be recommended that you wear a night guard. This is commonly referred to as a “night guard” or an “occlusal guard.” Car crashes and accidents are also common causes of chipped teeth.
You may think that your tooth chipped for no reason; however, the external layer of your tooth may have been weakened or damaged. The weaker your tooth structure is, the more likely it is to suffer damage.
Excessive consumption of sugary and acidic foods and drinks is highly contributory to weakening the enamel, or outer layer, of the tooth. Acid reflux and any condition causing frequent vomiting destroy tooth enamel as well. Enamel often wears down naturally with age. Without this protective layer, the structure is less resistant to physical pressures and can develop fractures.
Can a dentist repair a chipped tooth?
Yes! Your dentist may suggest one of the following dental treatments to repair your broken tooth.
Dental filling or bonding
Dental bonding can also be referred to as a filling. Tooth-colored composite resin is used to restore the damaged tooth. Your dentist will clean the tooth with an etchant, place a bonding agent, and then apply the composite resin. Your dental professional will restore the tooth to its proper shape and contour, making it appear as natural as possible.
Bonding can last for many years. However, factors such as your occlusion or bite, ability to keep your teeth and restoration clean, and your mediated risk of repeat fracture are all factors that can affect the long-term prognosis of the restoration. Your dental provider will review with you how to maintain your restoration to ensure the best long-term outcome.
Dental crown or onlay
Depending on the severity of the damage, your dentist may recommend a dental onlay, inlay, or full-coverage crown. The first option is suitable for minor damages, the latter is preferable for larger defects. All options are suitable for teeth with defects that are too large to be restored with dental fillings.
A crown is a dental cap that completely covers a chipped tooth. This differs from an onlay or inlay, which are usually smaller and may resemble a dental filling. An onlay or inlay, however, is fabricated from different materials compared to resin composite, which is used in dental fillings. The crown procedure typically requires the dentist to administer local anesthesia for patient comfort during the procedure. Depending on the size of the chip, you may require additional treatment, such as root canal therapy, if the crack has extended into the tooth's nerve.
In general, specialists working in dental laboratories create inlays, onlays, and dental crowns tailored to the individual needs of patients. However, in some dental offices, a doctor can mill a porcelain inlay, onlay, or crown for you and cement it on your tooth on the same day. Onlays and tooth crowns are made from durable materials that can last for decades. Still, their longevity can be shortened if they are not adequately cared for, neglected, or subjected to severe forces.
Dental veneers
Veneers can be an effective cosmetic dental procedure to hide visible front tooth chips of different sizes. Veneers may also be an option if you have tooth sensitivity. Your dentist will assess the severity of your sensitivity and recommend a suitable treatment option.
The application of dental veneers typically requires multiple visits to a dental clinic. Your doctor will first prepare your tooth. The dentist will take impressions of the teeth or a digital scan. A dental laboratory will then fabricate your veneers, and your dentist will place temporary veneers while the laboratory is fabricating your permanent set.
The longevity of veneers depends on the material used. Porcelain veneers are exceptionally durable and can last up to thirty years. However, the positions of the other teeth play a significant role. They determine the amount of pressure your veneer will have to bear—the more pressure, the shorter the veneer's lifespan. Your dentist may recommend that you receive orthodontic treatment before veneers if your bite or occlusion will significantly impact the long-term success of your veneers.
Root canal treatment
Deep dental chips sometimes penetrate the pulp. Their restoration requires root canal treatment (RCT). You should consider making an emergency appointment with your doctor if you suspect you may need RCT. Without adequate medical attention, the tooth can develop a severe infection or inflammation. Left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of your body.
The procedure involves removing the infected pulp. The doctor will then clean the cavity with a disinfectant and fill it with gutta-percha, a natural biocompatible rubber material. Depending on your oral condition, your doctor will finally close the cavity with either a crown or a filling.
Is a chipped tooth an emergency?
It depends on the severity of the chip and the location of the tooth. A small chip on a front tooth may not be a dental emergency, but a larger chip or a chip on a back molar could potentially be more serious and require more immediate attention.
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, or if the chip is causing difficulty with eating or speaking, you should contact an emergency dentist as soon as possible.
FAQ
What are the differences between a chipped and cracked tooth?
A chipped tooth misses a fragment while its damage begins on the surface. In a cracked tooth, no part may be missing. However, its injury usually begins near the gum line. It may affect only the enamel or penetrate deep into the tissue. It can then progress and impair the health of blood vessels and nerves.
Is it necessary to repair a slightly chipped tooth?
If a chip is tiny, you may not need any dental treatment. For minor chips or those that feel rough and uncomfortable, dental care such as smoothing and polishing may be sufficient.
What are the possible complications of a chipped tooth?
Minor chips usually do not result in complications, but larger ones can lead to serious problems. They will expose fragments of your tooth without enamel to food and beverages. When damage occurs on the chewing surface, food particles can become trapped in cracks, creating a favorable environment for bacteria. Some chips reach the root canal and can cause sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks. They also result in the expansion of tooth decay, severe toothache, fever, and swelling in the jaw and cheek area.
What are temporary fixing options for a chipped front tooth?
If you have to wait for your appointment, you can get a special over-the-counter kit. It contains dental material that you can shape and attach to your tooth to restore the affected area temporarily. Remember that it is essential to undergo proper treatment as soon as possible to prevent complications. Additionally, if you choose veneers, you will also receive temporary veneers while the final veneers are being prepared.
How to relieve chipped tooth pain?
Ibuprofen-based analgesics with anti-inflammatory effects can effectively relieve painful sensations in the entire tooth. Pay attention to your oral hygiene to ensure that no food debris puts additional pressure on your chipped tooth. You should also avoid chewing with the affected side of your mouth.
Does a chipped tooth grow back?
No. A chipped or damaged tooth cannot regenerate, heal, or repair itself.
References
- Arvind Shenoy and Nina Shenoy. Dental ceramics: An update. J Conserv Dent. 2010 Oct-Dec; 13(4):195–203.
- Hilton TJ, et al. (2019). Recommended treatment of cracked teeth: Results from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network. DOI:10.1016/j.prosdent.2018.12.005 Mamoun JS, et al. (2015). Cracked tooth diagnosis and treatment: An alternative paradigm. DOI:10.4103/1305-7456.156840
- Damtie D, et al. (2020). Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Ethiopian thyme (Thymus serrulatus and Thymus schimperi) against tooth decay bacteria.
- Singh R, et al. (2015). Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Mentha piperita L.
Harry Lee, DMD
In my practice, a chipped tooth is one of the most frequent reasons for an unscheduled visit. However, it is rarely a dramatic sports injury, as you often see in the movies. More often, a patient calls in a panic after biting into something as harmless as a chicken dish or a piece of bread, only to feel that rough, sharp edge. Their first question is almost always, "How could that have possibly chipped my tooth?"