A chip in the tooth is something most people go through at least once in their entire lifetime. No matter how good you are with the floss and brush, still, if you bite suddenly into hard food, you may end up with one. However, there is no need to fret about it, as treatments like dental bonding can easily fix your chipped tooth.
In this blog, we have discussed not only professional cosmetic treatment options but also some home remedies that will accentuate the healing time while your chipped teeth are repaired.
Can You Fix Chipped Teeth At Home?
Yes and no. Fixing a chip in your tooth is best done with the help of a dentist. However, in the meantime, you can try these tips for pain relief.
- Cover the exposed area with a sugarless gum or paraffin wax to block the pain sensations.
- If your teeth have a razor-sharp edge now, use the two things above to prevent damage to your cheeks and inner mouth tissues.
- Use a saltwater gargle to rinse your mouth to minimize the risk of infection. It works to kill bacteria as well as reduce inflammation.
- Ease the pain using acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or any other kind of OTC pain reliever.
- Eating after a chip in the tooth is difficult and can be a route to other issues if not taken care of. In this situation, soft foods that do not require biting down are best in such situation.
How Is A Chipped Tooth Fixed By A Dentist – 5 Pain-free Ways
There are more than one option available to treat this problem professionally, 5 of which we have discussed below.
The treatment route depends on the severity of the situation.
1. Dental Crowns
If you are in search of a permanent solution, then this might be it for you. A crown restoration covers the whole tooth for support and protection. Usually, dental crowns are metal, porcelain, or a mix of both.
2. Dental Veneers
If the affected tooth is up on the front, then a chip might need a dental veneer only to make it look healthy and complete again. Veneers are thin shell-like covers like a thick sticker of tooth color made of porcelain or resin.
3. Filling or Bonding
Your dentist can opt for a filler to fix your tooth if the chipped area is small.
However, if the damage is on your front tooth, repair is done with the help of dental bonding.
It is a simple procedure that does not even need a numbing agent. The process starts with etching the tooth surface with a specialized gel or liquid. Then an adhesive substance is put on the area, followed by the resin.
Then, it’s shaped according to the neighboring teeth.
4. Root Canal Therapy
Now, this is a grave problem. If the chip is deep enough to expose the pulp having nerves and blood vessels, it can result in an infection. The tissue can rot and die. If it is not removed on time, the infection can spread, and extraction may be the only option left.
A root canal involves dead pulp removal, cleaning of the root canal, and then re-sealing it.
5.Dental Implants
If the chipped tooth is left as it is, the situation can progress into something serious. If bacteria seeps inside the tooth pulp, the nerve dies. The next viable option is to go for a root canal, but the entire tooth is extracted in severe damage. Dental implants come to the rescue in that case. It is one of the best ways to restore your smile.
To Sum Up
Fixing smiles is what we do at Irvine Family and Implant Dentistry. Be it your chipped tooth that needs a repair or any other cosmetic or non-cosmetic issue, we are available at 949 552 1380. Drop by our office in Irvine, CA, Lyon Street, to get in touch with the best dentist in Orange County. We are proud to serve patients from all nearby communities, including East Irvine, Westpark, Orchard Hill, Woodbury, Shady Canyon, and Northwood.