If you have a chipped tooth or even a broken tooth, it's important to seek dental care as soon as possible. According to Jordana Contrucci, if the tooth is irregular, bleeding, or causing pain, you should contact your dentist right away. In the meantime, saltwater rinses and over-the-counter pain relievers can help with discomfort. If you're unsure of what to do, it's best to call your dental office and explain the situation. At C R Dental Group, we offer all restorative treatment options to repair your smile and restore your oral health.
Our teeth are incredibly strong and capable of chopping up large pieces of meat or carrots, but they can still crack, break, or splinter. A chipped tooth may not hurt at first, but the pain can come and go. If the chip is small, you should schedule an appointment with a dentist to fill the tooth or smooth it out. This isn't an emergency and you can wait until the dental office opens. The treatment for a broken tooth depends on the severity of the chip or breakage.
Options range from simple joints and veneers to caps or crowns and fillings. It's easy to tell if you have a broken or chipped tooth: part of your tooth is missing and the broken point will be irregular or sharp, and you may feel some pain. Clove oil around painful gum spots can also help numb the area around the chipped tooth. A cosmetic dentist can install a veneer over just the broken tooth or several at a time to create a cohesive appearance. Veneers are an excellent choice if you want to repair a chipped tooth while improving the overall look of your smile.
Crowns cover the entire tooth instead of just the front or visible part of the tooth. Bonding involves molding a composite material over the chip and healthy area of the tooth; first the dentist will roughen the remaining enamel so that the compound adheres properly, then bonding and molding the joint to create a natural-looking covering over the chipped tooth. Unfortunately, by the time a damaged tooth starts to hurt, infection has usually set in and it may not be salvageable. Repairing cracked teeth for broken molars tends to involve fillings; lower molars are most prone to chipping as they require more pressure when chewing. In the meantime, take an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation, apply ice to the affected area on the outside of your cheek or face, and consider using temporary dental adhesive material or dental wax to cover the irregular edge of your tooth and prevent irritation of your tongue and gums until you can go to the dentist. In general, dental crowns are considered the best method for repairing a broken tooth when there is significant loss of original tooth structure.
Veneers can last ten to twenty years and are also an option if an attached tooth has already been chipped or broken. Bonding is a common repair method for broken or chipped teeth, especially small chips. People over fifty are more likely to experience chipped or broken teeth due to weakened enamel. While a chipped tooth can range from mild to painful, there are steps you can take to relieve discomfort. Taking an over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation; applying ice to the affected area on your cheek or face; and using temporary dental adhesive material or dental wax to cover any irregular edges on your teeth.
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