Do You Have A Chipped Tooth?

Repair a Chipped Tooth

We can help restore your perfect smile!

When you have a chipped tooth, it may initially be a shocking and distressing situation. However, especially for minor damage, there is usually little to no pain involved, and you’re in no immediate danger. A chipped tooth may result from any traumatic blow to the mouth, such as playing a contact sport, automobile or bicycle accident, or even eating hard or crunchy foods.

When you first chip a tooth, it may feel especially rough or jagged. This sensation is typically just your mouth and tongue getting used to the new surface and texture. Though it may cause mild discomfort, your mouth will adapt to the change rather quickly.

For severe chips and tooth fractures, you may want to seek treatment as soon as possible. Especially for front teeth (incisors), which are visible when smiling, chewing, or speaking, it may have a severe negative impact on your appearance.

How is it Treated?

There are several options to fix a chipped tooth. However, each case is slightly different, and we’ll need to evaluate your condition before the dentist provides a recommendation. Typically, for minor chips, we can use bonding to restore the tooth and reverse the damages. This composite resin material is strong and can match your tooth color to restore the damage seamlessly. For larger chips, fractures, or teeth that require extra durability (molars), we may decide that a dental crown is the best option.

Preventing a Chipped Tooth

The most important part of prevention is making sure you maintain excellent oral health. The better your routine for brushing and flossing at home (as well as regular dental checkups and cleanings), the more resistant your teeth will be to undergoing damage. Aside from that, you should always wear a protective mouthpiece when engaging in high-risk contact sports or activities. It’s the best way to protect your pearly whites! Additionally, avoid unnecessarily chewing on hard foods and crunching ice. Also, you should never use your teeth to open packaging, bite your fingernails, or other non-food items.

By Westlake Family Dental|2023-04-16T11:32:46-05:00June 13th, 2023|Restorative Dentistry|Comments Off

About the Author: Westlake Family Dental

Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.

Do You Have A Chipped Tooth?