Imagine you are at the movie theatre, watching the bright colors flash on the big screen. You are mesmerized by the story as you shovel a handful of popcorn into your mouth. What could go wrong? Well, a stray kernel was hidden among them, and you unknowingly bite down hard on it. The star-crossed lovers are meant to be on screen not be you and the piece of your tooth that chipped off!
Whether this is the case or something else happened, a minor chip in your teeth can seem like no big issue. You might think, “I’ll just wait until it grows back like a fingernail!” However, that’s not the case when it comes to your smile. Here’s why you should visit your emergency dentist if you chip a tooth.
Can My Chipped Tooth Repair Itself?
In short, your teeth cannot repair themselves. The outer shell of enamel is considered a non-living tissue because it’s made of a hard mineral called calcium phosphate. It’s the strongest substance that your body creates, but it doesn’t have any blood vessels or bone marrow. That means it cannot regenerate on its own.
However, the body is resilient enough to restore small amounts of lost enamel. Saliva and fluoride toothpaste can help with the remineralization process to strengthen the teeth, but they won’t rebuild a chip.
Is My Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?
No matter how big or small the damage is, it’s a dental emergency! Here are ways that they can cause harm.
- Chips can create sharp edges that can injure your tongue and cheeks.
- The structure of the tooth is compromised, so you risk breaking it more if you aren’t careful.
- If it’s a major chip, the inside of your tooth can be exposed to bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to infection and decay.
How Is a Chipped Tooth Treated?
Depending on how severe the damage is to your tooth, your dentist can offer several treatment options. Minor chips can be repaired with dental bonding, which can be completed during a single visit. Veneers are also a great option for a damaged tooth near the front of your mouth, as they can easily cover any flaw and restore appearance.
If it is a major chip, then the inner tooth pulp may be exposed to bacteria in your mouth and become infected. If this is the case, a root canal and then a dental crown can help protect your tooth while also restoring its function. In the instance that the tooth cannot be properly treated, an extraction and dental implant may be your best option, but it’s rarely necessary.
Any instance of a chipped tooth requires a dental visit. Even if it’s minor and you don’t feel much discomfort, visiting your dentist can help prevent any further damage. Then, you can go back and enjoy the movie’s ending with a newly fixed smile!
About the Author
Dr. Alberto J. Lamberti earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He later completed a Postgraduate Specialist in Prosthodontics program and has been practicing extensively in this field of dentistry since then.
This means that Dr. Lamberti has the expertise to rebuild smiles in the event of a dental emergency. He offers same-day appointments so you can get your teeth back to what they were as soon as possible. If an accident has damaged one of your teeth, schedule an appointment or call us at (561) 338-7535.