Chipped teeth are pretty common, and they often do not cause any harm. However, if the damage reaches the inside of the tooth's enamel, there is a threat of infection and tooth loss. Because of this, if you have a chipped tooth, you should book an appointment with our dentist Dr. Jayme Alencar Oliveira, as soon as possible. At Alencar Family Dentistry, we can quickly examine and treat you right away.

What Can I Do to Relieve the Pain and Avoid Infection?

Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm salt water to relieve pain and help prevent infection.
Apply gentle pressure to the area with clean gauze if you are bleeding.
Place an ice pack on the affected area of your face to reduce the swelling.
If the chipped tooth has pointed edges that rub painfully on your tongue or inner cheek, you can apply dental wax or sugarless gum over it to act as a shield.
If you are feeling sore, take pain medication, such as ibuprofen.
Consume only liquids and soft foods until you see your dentist.

How Do Dentists Repair a Chipped Tooth?

If only a tiny portion of enamel has broken off, a dentist can repair the tooth in a single dental visit. However, a severely broken or damaged tooth may require a costlier procedure that could take more than one visit.

Here are some options your dentist may recommend for repairing your chipped or broken tooth:

Dental Filling or Bonding

A tooth with a tiny chip on the tooth's enamel could be fixed by applying a filling. If the damage is to your front tooth, a dentist could treat it with dental bonding.

In a dental bonding procedure, the dentist first roughens the surface of the tooth with a special gel or liquid. Next, an adhesive substance is applied, followed by the resin that will be shaped to match your natural tooth and hardened using special ultraviolet light.

Dental Veneers

If a front tooth is chipped or broken, your dentist could make it look strong and flawless by attaching a dental veneer. A thin shell of tooth-colored composite resin or porcelain, a veneer is custom-made in a lab to match your individual needs.

Dental Crown

If you have lost a considerable portion of your tooth, your dentist may remove a portion of the remaining parts and conceal it with a crown to protect the tooth, preserve function, and improve aesthetic appearance.

If the damage exposes the tooth's pulp, you might develop a pulp infection. When this happens, your dentist may have to remove the infected pulp through a root canal procedure and then capped with a crown.

At Alencar Family Dentistry we will try to treat you immediately so you do not experience unnecessary discomfort. Call us at (757) 546-0301 to set an appointment.