How to fix a chipped tooth so it looks good as new
You’ve chipped a tooth – now what?
Your best course of action if you have chipped teeth is to talk to your dentist.
Your Kowhai Dental team will be able to tell you:
If the chip is superficial
How to fix a chipped tooth
Can a Chipped Tooth Grow Back?
Put simply, no. Enamel cannot grow back, so once it’s chipped off, it’s gone for good.
Do You Really Need to Fix a Chipped Tooth?
Ideally, yes, you should address chipped teeth. While you might not need to get the chip repaired, you need to find out why the tooth chipped and try to prevent further breakdown of the tooth.
Intact, your teeth are very strong. An enamel chip can lead to further wear. The structural integrity of the tooth could be at risk.
If not addressed, whatever caused the chip can continue to cause further damage, including cracking and even fracturing.
Of course, if the chip is significant, you’ll want it repaired for aesthetic purposes. At the same time, you’ll want to remedy whatever caused the chipping or you’ll simply chip off the restorative work as well.
What Causes Chipped Teeth?
Chipped teeth can be caused by a simple accident, like biting down on a fork. It can also be a result of clenching and grinding your teeth (bruxism) at night. Bite issues – such as crooked teeth, jaw misalignment, or missing teeth – can also lead to chipped teeth.
Other causes include:
Sports injury (not wearing a mouthguard while playing)
Auto accident
Biting down on hard candy or ice
Tripping and falling
Additionally, if your teeth are weak, they’re at higher risk of chipping. What can weaken your enamel?
Drinking too much alcohol
Eating and drinking acidic foods (tomatoes, lemons, cola, coffee, candy)
Poor oral hygiene
Dental decay
Large fillings
Dry mouth
Acid reflux
Age
How to fix a chipped tooth – what your dentist can do
First, your dentist will figure out what’s causing the chipping. Then, they’ll recommend treatments to limit future chipping, including:
Orthodontia
Sport guards
Nightguards
To repair the chipped tooth, your dentist will place a composite filling material (matched to the natural shade of your teeth), bonding it to the surface of your tooth. When they’re done, it will look like your natural tooth. In more severe cases, a dental veneer may be indicated.
What about cracked teeth?
The very things that cause chipped teeth can cause cracked teeth. The problem is that cracking is more dangerous than chipping. Left untreated, you could end up with:
Cracked tooth syndrome (CTS)
A broken tooth
Deep dental decay that reaches the nerve through the crack
An inflamed nerve, which can only be remedied with a root canal or extraction
Symptoms of Cracked Tooth Syndrome (CTS)
Not every cracked tooth will result in cracked tooth syndrome. However, as time progresses, the more pressure that’s put upon the tooth while chewing (and grinding if you are a nighttime tooth grinder), the deeper the crack will get.
Eventually, the crack will make its way through the enamel to the next layer of the tooth called dentin. The dentin is very porous, so when it’s exposed to cold foods, you’ll feel an electric zing go through your tooth. You’ll also feel pain or sensitivity when you chew. You don’t even have to be chewing on something hard. Gum, a banana, or any other soft food can cause discomfort if the crack is deep enough.
Over time, you’ll notice the sensitivity increase and you’ll start to develop sensitivity to heat and sweet. Left untreated, the crack can make the tooth so weak that it eventually fractures. Or the crack could go so deep that it causes nerve damage, another painful dental condition.
How Does a Dentist Fix a Cracked Tooth?
The best way to fix a cracked tooth is to reduce its size and circumference and place a dental crown over it. The crown will help stabilize the crack so that it doesn’t go any deeper.
Is There a Temporary Fix for Broken Teeth?
If you can’t afford full porcelain or metal crown, your dentist can place a temporary crown on a broken tooth to prevent further breakdown. Obviously, this is not a permanent fix as the materials used to make a temporary crown aren’t made to withstand bite pressure and acids from foods over extended periods.
What Can Help with Pain Caused by a Broken Tooth?
After a tooth breaks, your first act should be to call your dentist. If you’re in pain (not all fractured teeth are painful), take ibuprofen if you don’t have any sensitivities or other contraindications. Place a cold pack on your face if you experience any swelling. Place clove or peppermint oil on a cotton swab and dab your gums for a numbing effect. Or talk to your pharmacist about temporary filling material and tooth pain remedies.
Talk to your dentist ASAP about cracks and chips
The experienced team at Kowhai Dental wants to help you avoid pain and discomfort, as well as expensive, complex dental procedures. Seeing your dentist regularly can help you do this. Seeing your dentist for a comprehensive exam every six months will help them catch problems – like chipped teeth – early. When caught early, they can identify the cause and treat it to prevent further breakdown and help keep your beautiful smile intact.
Would you like more information about this topic?
Check out our help centre for in-depth information about cracked and chipped teeth.
To book an appointment, pop in to see us on Maunu Road, give us a call at 09 430 0707, or book online.