What to Do If You Chip Your Tooth

Frustrating, aggravating, and even a bit scary, chipping a tooth is not something that anyone wants to go through. Nevertheless, this is not an uncommon occurrence. If it does happen to you, pick up the phone immediately and make an appointment to see the dentist. The treatment options will vary significantly depending on the extent of the damage.

Your dentist will likely ask a few questions before recommending anything. He or she will likely want to know how it happened, whether or not you have found the missing piece of the tooth (which should come with you), and may need an x-ray to confirm the severity of the situation. This is due to the fact that it is difficult for the human eye to detect the extent of the damage done to inner layers of the tooth. For the smallest of chips, it may be possible to simply file them down, and otherwise leave them alone. Otherwise, a composite filling (the color of the natural tooth) may be needed to fill the gap and reform the tooth. For larger areas of damage, there may be the need for a porcelain veneer or crown, which would not only improve the aesthetic of the tooth, but also offer structural support.
For those breaks that cause root damage, the situation will likely be different. In addition to the veneer or crown, there may be a need for a root canal to prevent the dying nerve from causing further bacterial infection.

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