What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth

Chips in your tooth can cause minor to severe damage to the enamel and even reach your tooth's inner layers or nerve tissue. If you have chipped a tooth, it is best to contact a dentist as soon as possible, even if the damage seems to be minimal. At Alencar Family Dentistry in Chesapeake, Virginia, we will evaluate the severity of the tooth injury and discuss the various treatment options with you.

What Causes Teeth to Chip?

Although our teeth are protected by a hard layer known as the enamel, there are several situations in which they can chip, crack, or break. These include:

• Sports injuries
• Facial trauma following an accident or attack
• Untreated cavities that cause the tooth to become fragile and break
• Teeth grinding or clenching of the teeth
• Habitual chewing or biting hard objects
• Biting into hard foods

Why Should a Chipped Tooth Be Treated?

If your tooth has chipped for any reason, you should promptly contact a dentist for an immediate assessment. If left untreated, a chipped tooth may become even more damaged and cause sensitivity or pain and it also increases your risk of bacterial infections. 

How Are Chipped Teeth Treated?

At Alencar Family Dentistry in Chesapeake, Virginia, Dr. Oliveira Filho offers various treatments for chipped teeth. Our dentist will assess the size of the chip or fracture, the health of the tooth, any aesthetic or functional concerns you may have, as well as your budget. After this initial consultation, our dentist will recommend the most appropriate option for your situation. 

Our treatments include:

• The rough edges of the tooth will be smoothed so they do not disturb the neighboring teeth, your jawbone, or your cheeks. This is ideal for minor chips that have damaged the enamel only.
• Tooth-colored composite bonding can be used to restore the impaired enamel structure. Dr. O can closely match the bonding material to your natural tooth color at our office, so no one will ever know the difference. This process is non-invasive as it does not require any of the healthy parts of the tooth to be removed.
• Natural-looking CEREC porcelain crowns or fillings can be used to cover more significant chips or cracks. 

If you have chipped a tooth, visit Alencar Family Dentistry at 711 Greenbrier Pkwy Suite 101, Chesapeake, VA 23320. For appointments, you can reach us at (757) 546-0301.