Help! How to treat a chipped tooth

Accidents and traumas happen to us all. Whether it was a fall or a trip after one too many, a sports injury, or just an honest and unforeseen accident, a chipped tooth is a nightmare. Why does it sting, isn’t it just a tooth? And how on earth do you fix it? Don’t worry, we’re here to tell you that a chipped tooth can be rectified.

Why does my chipped tooth hurt?

Teeth are very readily misunderstood. Because they feel like bones in your mouth, people often do mistake them for bones and not for the complex layers of materials they are. They’re just not ‘tooth material’ through and through, but they actually contain nerve endings and inner layers much like any part of your body is. A chipped tooth exposes these layers beneath your tooth that weren’t supposed to come into contact with heat, pressure, and any outside forces. This means that even inhaling can send a tingle through your chipped tooth and cause a lot of sensitivity, which many people very rightly cringe away from.

Fixing a chipped tooth

Fixing a broken tooth depends on the extent of your ‘chip’. For example, if you’re chipped tooth resembles more of a broken or cracked tooth, then we would take a different approach to someone who had just chipped the edge or bottom corner.

Dental bonding

Dental bonding uses dental composite, the same material used to make white fillings, to build the chipped area back into a more uniform tooth. It is minimally invasive and involves layers of super-strong and lasting material being applied to the area, building it into a natural-looking tooth shape and colour. You may still need to be careful when biting or chewing as you’re still at risk of chipping this composite off, but it is much stronger than you’d realise.

Dental veneers

Veneers are not necessarily used for a chipped tooth, but they are saved for cracked or broken teeth because of the extent of the damage. Where composite just will not cover the job, a dental veneer can be placed over your problem tooth. Veneers do require more preparation of the tooth, so they’re not generally recommended unless they’re absolutely necessary. They fit over the tooth like a false nail would your natural one and are fixed with a strong dental adhesive.

Crowns

A dental crown is a form of restorative dentistry that crosses over into the cosmetic. Dental crowns are also known as ‘caps’ and are porcelain or composite covers that are fit over the chipped or damaged tooth. Again, depending on the extent of the damage, these may not be necessary. They are fixed in place and are a more reliable than veneers in restoring function as well as form to your mouth.

If you’re suffering with a sensitive or embarrassing cracked tooth in London, get in touch with the dentists at Crescent Lodge Dental Practice. We will gladly help restore your smile to its former glory. Get in touch on 020 7622 5333 to book your initial consultation today.

Contact Our Dentists For Dental Crowns in Clapham Today!

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