Solutions for When You Have a Chipped Tooth

So, you’ve chipped a tooth? Don’t freak out! Plenty of ways can ease your discomfort and get your smile back in tip-top shape.

First, contact our emergency dentist here at Novacare Dental right away. A badly chipped tooth can become infected or even break further, so professional treatment is crucial.

Chipped Tooth: Immediate Actions to Take

Before anything else, stay calm and assess the damage. Chipping a tooth can be alarming and painful, often bleeding and swelling.

If you chip a tooth, here are some steps to minimize the damage and alleviate pain before visiting your emergency dentist at Novacare Dental:

• Rinse Your Mouth: Swish warm salt water over the area to clean it and soothe any pain. The water helps clear away blood and irritants, and the warmth is gentle on sensitive teeth.
• To stop the Bleeding, Apply gentle pressure to the tooth with a clean piece of gauze for about 10 minutes or until the bleeding stops. Swap out the gauze as needed.
• Reduce Swelling: To reduce swelling, apply an ice pack or cold compress to the part of your face closest to the chipped tooth.
• Pain Relief: To manage the pain, take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or another over-the-counter pain reliever. Avoid aspirin, as it can increase bleeding.
• Protect Your Mouth: Chipped teeth can have sharp edges that might cut your tongue, gums, or cheeks. Until you see a dentist, coat the sharp edges with dental cement or wax. Use sugarless chewing gum or paraffin wax if you don’t have those.

If possible, keep the chipped piece. Sometimes, the dentist can reattach it. Preserve the fragment in milk or saliva, but avoid water, as it can dry out the tooth piece.

Avoid Eating: Try to eat only after you see a dentist. Your tooth is fragile; biting down could worsen or break the chip entirely. If you must eat, stick to soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth.

Contact Your Emergency Dentist: You must visit your dentist immediately. Chipped teeth are a dental emergency, and timely treatment can prevent further damage. Delaying treatment increases the risk of infection or additional damage.

There are various treatment options depending on the severity of the chip. Your dentist will assess the damage and recommend the best course of action.

Experiencing a dental emergency like a chipped or broken tooth? Call Novacare Dental immediately at 604-534-5600.

Treatment Options for Chipped Teeth

Several methods exist for repairing a chipped or broken tooth. The severity of the damage will determine the best treatment option. Here’s a closer look at the choices available at Novacare Dental:

• Bonding: Dental bonding is often used for minor chips. A small amount of tooth-coloured composite resin is applied to the damaged area. The dentist prepares the tooth enamel and uses ultraviolet light to harden the composite, creating a natural-looking barrier. Bonding typically lasts about ten years.
• Crown or Cap: For more significant damage, a dental crown or cap made from porcelain can cover the entire tooth. Crowns are ideal for severely cracked teeth and restore both function and appearance.
• Veneers are thin layers of custom-made porcelain or composite resin that bond to the front of your teeth. They restore the look of your smile and are particularly good for visible front teeth.
• Contouring or Shaping: For minor chips, enamel shaping or contouring involves using a miniature rotating instrument to smooth and reshape the tooth. This quick and painless procedure is typically used for front teeth.
• Fillings: For chipped molars or less visible back teeth, dental fillings made from various materials, including metal and porcelain, are used.
• Tooth Extraction: If a tooth is severely damaged beyond repair, it might need to be extracted as a last resort.
• Root Canal: A root canal is necessary if the chip exposes the dentin or pulp inside the tooth, causing an infection. This procedure removes the infection and preserves the natural tooth, often followed by a cap to protect the tooth.

Your Local Emergency Dentist: Novacare Dental in Langley

Having a reliable and attentive dental team is crucial when you need urgent dental care. Novacare Dental is prepared to help with same-day appointments and immediate care for dental emergencies like chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth. Contact our compassionate and understanding team whenever you need us.