I have a chipped tooth! What now?

Maybe you bit into a peach pit unexpectedly. Or an errant baseball throw landed smack on your front tooth. Whatever the cause, a chipped tooth can be a drag on your self-esteem, and it may also compromise your ability to chew and speak properly.

The best dentists in Richardson can offer help for patients with chipped teeth.

In a best case scenario, you’ll be able to see your dentist immediately after breaking the tooth. However, dentists don’t work 24 hours a day, so that may not be possible if the incident happens at night or on a weekend.

If you can’t get to the dentist right away, rinse your mouth with salt water to keep the area clean. If a jagged tooth edge is bothering you, soften the edge with a small piece of dental wax or even sugar-free chewing gum.

Any pain associated with the injury can be addressed with over-the-counter painkillers, like aspirin or ibuprofen. It is also wise to avoid hard or crunchy foods until you can have the tooth repaired.

The dentist may remedy the broken tooth with a number of treatments, and the approached used will depend on the extent of the damage.

Often, a minor chip can be addressed with dental bonding. This process involves applying an adhesive to the tooth and then adding the bonding material on top of that. The bonding material is then “cured,” or hardened using a special light. Bonding can be completed in a short timeframe in a dentist’s office.

A thin, porcelain tooth-shaped shell known as a veneer may also be helpful in such a situation. The veneer can be placed atop the tooth to conceal problems, like a chip or crack. Veneers typically require multiple visits to the dentist for planning and placement.

Larger flaws may also be corrected with dental crowns, which involve a tooth-shaped cap that is placed atop the broken tooth and bonded to it. Like veneers, crowns take some time because the dentist must plan for the crown, which is subsequently crafted in a dental lab, and then place it when it is ready.

If you’ve chipped a tooth, seek treatment from one of our dentists, serving Richardson Texas and surrounding areas, as soon as possible to learn more about your options.