Is a Chipped Tooth Serious?
Patients of any age can experience a chipped tooth, and while it is not usually an emergency, it is important to have it repaired as soon as possible. A chipped tooth will only get worse over time, so even if you do not experience any negative symptoms, the tooth needs to be evaluated by your dentist so they can repair it to prevent any further damage to the tooth or surrounding tissues.
A chipped tooth can happen at any time due to an accident, eating hard foods, decay, bruxism, or even aging.
Is a chipped tooth serious?
The severity of a chipped tooth depends entirely on how extensive the damage is. A minor chip can often be fixed by just smoothing the chip out of the tooth, but sometimes, a larger chip can turn into a fracture that will eventually lead to the tooth needing to be extracted.
A common cause of a chipped tooth is decay. Poor oral hygiene leads to a buildup of plaque and bacteria, which weaken the enamel and make the teeth more susceptible to damage. The enamel of our teeth is the hard, outer layer. The underlying structures of the teeth are much softer, and when the enamel is compromised, the soft inner tissues can become infected.
Bruxism is clenching and/or grinding, which many of us do in our sleep, and can contribute to a chipped tooth. Patients who suffer from bruxism can experience excessive wear on their teeth as well as pain in the jaw and neck upon waking. Your dentist can have a custom night guard made for you to sleep in to help alleviate pressure and minimize symptoms of bruxism. A night guard is a great way to help your jaw relax while you sleep and protect your teeth from stress and chipping.
A chipped tooth can cause you to experience symptoms, such as sensitivity to temperatures and pressure, which can cause a lot of pain when you chew. Left untreated, a chipped tooth can result in the tooth breaking.
Treating A Chipped Tooth
There are a few options to restore a chipped tooth, and your dentist will be able to determine the best treatment option for you once they see you and evaluate the area. Whether or not you are having any negative symptoms, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible to have the chip evaluated so they can make sure that there is no underlying damage that you do not see or feel.
Depending on the degree of damage, a chipped tooth can be treated by simply smoothing the area to get rid of the chip, dental bonding to build up the chip, or even a dental crown or veneer. A tooth that is severely chipped can experience damage to the inner structures of the tooth, exposing it to bacteria. When bacteria enter a tooth, an abscess can form and is often extremely painful.
Having a chip repaired is often less invasive and less costly than ignoring it and waiting until you have symptoms that impact your life. At that point, it will be more costly and time-consuming to restore the area.