Is a big chunk of your tooth missing? Does it feel jagged, sharp, or in pain? A chipped tooth is one of the most common dental injuries, leading to an undesirable look and often significant pain. Thankfully, your tooth damage can be fixed with the right dental help.
What causes a chipped tooth?
There are many ways to chip one or more of your teeth if you don’t act carefully. Below are some of the most common causes of chipped teeth you might encounter:
- Falling and hitting your mouth
- Getting hit in the face
- Playing contact sports without a mouthguard
- Using your teeth to open a package or a ‘Pop Top’ with your teeth
- Biting down hard on food
- Grinding your teeth intensely
Unfortunately, damage will not always be in your control. Any fast moving object can cause significant damage to your teeth if it hits your face. This is why mouthguards are incredibly important during athletic activities. If any tooth is broken beyond repair, it will need to be removed and replaced with an implant. Additionally, any teeth that have been broken or chipped previously are more susceptible to breakages in the future.
Broken down enamel can also lead to tooth chips. Enamel protects your teeth but when you eat significant amounts of sugar or acidic foods, it is weakened. This leaves the surface of the tooth exposed for potential breakage. As you age, your enamel wears down as well.
What to do immediately
If you have suffered a chipped or broken tooth, the most important thing is to organise a dentist appointment quickly. A same-day tooth repair appointment is ideal, particularly if the damage is severe. However, there are ways to manage the time in between if you have a couple of days before your appointment. Firstly, patients should rinse their mouths and floss to remove any excess food particles. If the tooth has a jagged edge due to the damage, dental wax (which can be purchased at most pharmacies) can be used to smooth them and prevent further irritation in the mouth.
Patients often feel a lot of chipped tooth pain, so using over-the-counter pain relief medication can help to manage any of those symptoms. Patients can also benefit from using an ice pack on the outside of their face or cheek close to where the damage is, which helps to soothe the pain. No matter the size, it’s important that you call your dentist immediately for a broken or chipped tooth repair appointment.
How to fix chipped teeth
In a lot of cases, your dentist will be very capable of fixing a broken or chipped tooth. There are five main treatments that can be used for a broken tooth.
Bonding
Dental bonding is used in cases when the damage is minimal. Dentists scrape some of the tooth to make it a bit smoother, and then apply a tooth-coloured composite resin which they form into the correct shape to match the tooth. They may also polish the surface of the tooth to repair its appearance.
Veneers
Typically used for a chipped front tooth, veneers can cover the front of the tooth with a thicker section of porcelain or resin material that replaces the broken part. Each veneer is custom-made from an impression of your tooth to ensure it is a perfect fit.
Crowns
A dental crown is great at fixing more significant cracks and damage, as they can help to prevent further damage from occurring, and they keep the nerves inside the tooth safe. Crowns are essentially tooth-shaped caps which are shaped to resemble a natural tooth, and can be made from a variety of materials including metal, porcelain or resin.
Fillings
If there is only a small piece of your tooth that is chipped or broken away, your dentist will likely be able to fix it with a dental filling. Fillings are most common for back molars that aren’t visible and help to support the structure of teeth and prevent them from further decay and damage.
Root canal
If the crack extends into the pulp of your tooth, you may require a more thorough treatment and restoration in the form of a root canal. In this treatment, your dentist will remove the exposed or damaged nerve, sanitise the inside of the tooth and remove any pulp that may have become infected from the crack. Finally, they will complete the tooth restoration with a filling or crown.
How much does a chipped tooth repair cost?
The cost of repairing a chipped and damaged tooth will depend on the severity of the damage and the type of treatment that is required to fix and restore your tooth. Chipped tooth repair can cost anywhere between a hundred and a couple thousand dollars.
Dental insurance can often cover part or most of the tooth repair depending on your policy if it is considered a general dentistry treatment. However, if your treatment involves dental veneers or implants, most insurers consider this a cosmetic dentistry procedure and do not provide cover. Have a chat to your provider to obtain specific information about what is covered.
Whole and healthy teeth at Oakleigh Dental
The sooner you can get treatment, the better your teeth will be and the more you can limit any further dental issues. At Oakleigh Dental, we pride ourselves for being efficient and effective providers. If you’re looking to speak to a specialist about a tooth repair, we are here to help. Book an appointment today.
