Chipped Tooth

Introduction

A chipped tooth can be really painful and impact your smile. So once you find notice a chipped tooth, make sure to consult a dentist immediately for treatment. The good news is, a chipped tooth has a variety of treatment options.

Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic brings provides treatment procedures to manage your chipped tooth and restore your smile quickly. Our experienced and qualified cosmetic dentists can assess your dental damage and recommend the best solution for you. We use advanced techniques of cosmetic dentistry to make sure your chipped tooth appears natural and comfortable after the repair. From minor chips to serious cracks, we offer you long lasting results catering to your individual needs. Situated in London, Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic is available to repair your chipped tooth. Book an appointment with our dental specialists to repair your smile. 

What is a chipped tooth?

A chipped tooth basically means a fragment of your enamel has come off. The tooth enamel refers to the tough external layer of your teeth which safeguards the sensitive dental tissue underneath. Tooth enamel is a sturdy but a brittle substance. Dental injuries occurring from accidental falls, biting down on hard things, or various other incidents can result in the breakage of your enamel; leaving your tooth chipped.

While slight chips do not usually cause any major problems, they can interfere with your smile; making you self-conscious about your look. Severe chips cause your delicate dental tissue to be exposed. Consult a dentist or an endodontist to prevent further damage.

How is a chipped tooth different from a cracked tooth?

People often visit a dentist for a cracked tooth or a chipped tooth. But these two dental problems are quite different. A cracked tooth is a breakage which runs through your tooth, but a chipped tooth means some of your tooth enamel has broken off. Both the conditions can range from harless to severe, but both require immediate treatment.

Symptoms of Chipped Tooth

The primary sign indicating a chipped tooth is a missing fragment of your tooth. If you have a chipped tooth at the front, you can easily notice it when you look at the mirror. You might also feel a jagged or rough edge when you run your tongue along the chip in the tooth.

Losing a large tooth fragment can expose your dental nerve inside, leading to tooth pain. When you consume or chew on some food or drinks, particularly those which are hot or cold, you might experience sensitivity in your teeth.

What causes a chipped tooth?

Some common reasons causing a chipped tooth include:

• Injuries: Getting blows to your jaw or face through sports, falls, or accidents can result in the breakage of your enamel.
• Biting on hard objects or foods: If you bite down on hard foods, like some hard candy or an apple, or chew on ice, your tooth might get chipped. Even nail biting can lead to a chipped tooth.
• Using your teeth to open packages: It is not uncommon for most of us to use our teeth to tear open stubborn packaging. But using your teeth in place of scissors can actually lead to breaks and chips in your teeth.
• Bruxism or teeth grinding: Another habit of grinding teeth can lead to your chipped teeth.

Risk Factors

Anything which increases your risk of some kind of oral injury, such as contact sports, enhances your chance of getting a chipped tooth. However, tooth fragments break off for no apparent reason at times. Your teeth might even get chipped while you bite onto something moderately soft.  

If such conditions occur, it is usually because your enamel is already worn off, making your teeth more prone to injury. Moreover, your teeth can get more vulnerable to such injuries due to:

• Tooth decay: Cavities and decays can make your teeth more vulnerable to injuries.
• Having lots of acidic and sugary foods: Consuming such foods can cause your enamel to wear off over time, making them more susceptible to cracks and chips.
• GERD (Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease): Acid reflux primarily includes return of your stomach acids back to your mouth through the food pipe. A long lasting GERD can cause your enamel to break down over time.
• Past dental work: While dental work preserves your teeth, it cannot make them as strong as before; which means your teeth are still vulnerable to injuries. In fact, a large dental filling can cause chips as well.
• History of teeth grinding: If you are in a habit of teeth grinding for a long time, your tooth enamel might get thin. This makes it more likely for chips in your teeth.
• Age: With increasing age, our teeth tend to get weaker. So if you are aged above 50, you are more prone to get chipped tooth.

Complications

Minor chips in the teeth do not typically cause any complications. However, a major chip causes your sensitive dental tissue to get exposed to bacteria, leading to a tooth infection. Consulting a healthcare provider is the best way to prevent such complications.

How to diagnose a chipped tooth?

To diagnose your chipped tooth, the dentist will first conduct a thorough inspection of your teeth. Based on the severity of your tooth damage, you will be requiring X-rays.

Treating a Chipped Tooth

While small chips do not usually require any treatment, larger chips may need major dental work to avoid further damage to your teeth. Besides, the dental care provider might also recommend treatments to improve your chipped tooth appearance with cosmetic dentisty. Common treatment methods include:

• Polishing

In mild cases of chipped teeth, the provider might just polish and smooth out the chip, making it to blend seamlessly with your surrounding teeth.

• Tooth reattachment

If you still have the tooth fragment which has fallen out with you, you need to store it in proper moisture in a glass of milk. Visit your dentist immediately. The dentist be able to cement the fragment onto your tooth.

• Dental bonding

Bonding involves using a composite resin material to fill in your tooth chip, so that the resin matches your natural tooth colour. It enhances the appearance of minor chips in the teeth.

• Dental veneers

Veneers refer to coverings which are used to hide or conceal imperfections in your front teeth. If you have a minor chip which requires more extensive covering than that in bonding, veneers might be the right option for you.

• Dental crowns

Crowns refer to dental caps which resemble your tooth shape and also protect a weak teeth. If you lose a large tooth fragment, a dental crown may be a suitable solution for you. A cown protects your teeth and enhances your appearance as well.

• Dental fillings

Fillings are made from materials like plastic, glass, or metal; which fill in the missing parts of your teeth. If you are having a chipped tooth in the back, you may need a dental filling.

• Root canal therapy

Root canals are used to treat infections thriving in the inner part of your tooth. If you have a serious chip in your tooth which exposes the sensitive nerves inside your tooth, this root canal procedure can help you. You might also require a crown afterwards to protect the repaired area from any further damage.

• Dental implants

A dental implant can also be helpful in repairing a chipped tooth. For serious cases where only a little tooth is left above your gum line, dental implants can be a potential solution. In such an instance, you will have to remove the tooth first and allow the gum to heal before the dentist attaches a temporary implant. After healing, a permanent metal post is inserted into the bone beneath your gum line. Then a final implant is eventually placed into the post which feels and looks like a real tooth.

• Dental onlays

If only a single part of your teeth is affected by the chip, the dentist might recommend a dental onlay which is typically applied to the surface of your molars. You will be given anaesthesia to allow the dentist work on your teeth and find room for an onlay. 

In most cases, the doctor will collect a mould of your tooth and send it to a laboratory to create the onlay. After the onlay is made according to your fit, it is cemented on your tooth. Technological advancements have enabled dentists to create porcelain onlays right in the office, and they can be placed on the same day.

While dental onlays are known to last for decades, they largely depend on your food habits. For example, if you have plenty of foods which cause wear and tear on the onlays, the tooth gets affected. If a molar undergoes excessive pressure while chewing, it tends to wear away more easily.

What is the cost of fixing a chipped tooth?

The price of repairing a chipped tooth varies widely across different cases and locations. Several key factors influence the final cost. Firstly, the severity of the chip plays a major role – if the tooth’s nerve is exposed, more complex and costly treatment may be necessary. Secondly, the number of teeth affected can increase expenses, especially if multiple teeth are damaged due to an injury. Thirdly, the type of treatment matters; options like dental bonding tend to be more expensive than basic fillings or gluing. Additionally, prices can differ depending on your location, with dental services often costing more in certain areas of the country. Other considerations include which tooth is chipped and whether the inner pulp (containing nerves and blood vessels) is damaged. Altogether, these variables contribute to the wide range of potential costs for chipped tooth repair, making it important to consult a dentist for an accurate estimate.

Here are some estimated cost ranges for treating a chipped tooth:

• Tooth planing or smoothing: Around £100.
• Tooth reattachment: The dental exam typically costs around £50 to £350; otherwise the charge of the procedure is minimal.
• Bonding: Usually ranges between £100 and £1,000; based on the complexity of the case.
• Onlays or veneers: Costs around £500 to £2,000; this depends on the material used and how much preparation your tooth needs before getting the crown or veneer fixed.

Is it possible to prevent a chipped tooth?

While it is not always possible to prevent a chipped tooth, there are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of dental injuries. To help protect your teeth, consider the following tips:

• Wear a mouth guard when playing contact sports.
• Use a night guard if you grind your teeth while sleeping.
• Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks, which can weaken enamel.
• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly.
• Avoid hard foods if your teeth are already weakened or sensitive.
• Only use your teeth for eating; never to open packages or bite non-food items.
• Seek treatment for acid reflux (GERD), as it can erode tooth enamel over time.

Taking these precautions can strengthen your teeth and help prevent chips, cracks, and other dental issues.

How to take care of a chipped tooth?

If you have chipped a tooth, the most important step is to schedule an appointment with your dental care provider as soon as possible. A chipped tooth cannot be properly repaired at home, and only a dental professional can evaluate the extent of the damage and determine the best course of treatment.

In the meantime, there are several things you can do to protect the tooth and manage any discomfort:

• Save the fragment, if the chip is significant. Place the broken piece in milk to help preserve it, and bring it to your appointment. Your dentist might be able to reattach it.
• Protect the area to avoid further damage. Dental wax or a mouth guard – available at most pharmacies – can shield the chipped area. If these are not accessible, you can use sugar-free gum as a temporary solution.
• Maintain oral hygiene: Keep brushing and flossing, but be gentle around the chipped tooth. Removing food particles helps prevent added pressure or irritation.
• Relieve discomfort using pain medications, and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling or sensitivity.
• Be cautious with your diet: Stick to soft foods and avoid biting down with the injured tooth. If pain is severe, it is best to steer clear of solid foods until your dental visit.

Prompt professional care is essential to prevent further complications. Do not delay – schedule your dental appointment as soon as possible to restore your smile and protect your oral health.

When to see the doctor

As soon as you notice a chip in your tooth, book an appointment immediately with a dentist. A slight chip might not be a serious issue at the first place. However, a dental professional can help assess the severity of your chipped tooth. An untreated chipped tooth might lead to other problems in case the damage extends beyond the enamel.

Why to choose Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic?

Here is why our Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic is a trusted partner in restoring your confident smile:

• Personalised care: Our dentists are genuinely committed to understanding your unique needs and addressing your concerns with utmost precision and empathy.
• Proven results: We take pride in transforming smiles for thousands of satisfied clients across the UK and beyond.
• Tailored treatment plans: Every smile is different, which is why we create clear, customised treatment plans to match your individual dental goals and preferences.
• Pain-free procedure: We prioritise your comfort, using local anaesthesia or sedation to ensure pain-free treatments for your chipped tooth.
• State-of-the-art facilities: Our clinic is equipped with modern technology, advanced techniques, and high-quality materials, ensuring safe, efficient, and lasting results.
• Affordable options: We offer flexible payment plans, including 0% interest financing, to make high quality dental care more accessible for you.
• Exceptional patient experience: Our friendly team is dedicated to providing outstanding care and customer service throughout your journey.
• Transparent pricing: With us, there are no hidden fees or surprise costs – just honest, upfront pricing.
• Easy booking process: Our user-friendly online booking system makes scheduling appointments quick and convenient.
• Flexible scheduling: We offer same day appointments and work around your schedule to make your visit as stress-free and convenient as possible.

Choose us to restore your smile with comfort, confidence, and care.

To book an appointment with our expert dentists at Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic, you can mail us at [email protected] or call us on 020 71830755.

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