What to Do With a Chipped Tooth

Chipping a tooth is one of the more common dental health issues that bring patients to the office of Leslie Azran, DDS. While many people only consider the aesthetic effects of a chipped tooth, it’s important to understand that the condition can actually threaten your dental health. 

At BH Dental NY, we find our role as a trusted dental advisor to be as important as the work we do in-office to prevent or repair dental damage. That’s why we’re honored to share some information with residents of the Morningside Heights area of Harlem, New York City, about why chipped teeth should never be ignored. 

A chipped tooth can’t be easily visually assessed

A chipped tooth happens when something causes a small portion of your tooth tissue to break off. Chipped teeth are most common on the front teeth, which makes sense because these teeth are exposed more than others. 

A sports injury, traumatic injury, assault, or simple fall can all lead to a chipped tooth. But you can also chip a tooth by biting down on something hard, including certain foods. It’s also possible to identify a chipped tooth in the mirror one day and have no idea what caused the damage. 

You can’t properly assess a chipped tooth just by looking at it. Some chips are larger than others, but the size of the damage isn’t the only consideration. Very often, the circumstances that led to a chipped tooth also cause minute cracking in the hard tissue of a tooth, and that’s not always easy to see with the naked eye. 

Damage can let bacteria into the inner chamber of the tooth

Any time your tooth enamel or dentin (the layer of hard tissue just beneath your enamel) is damaged, there’s a risk that bacteria can enter the tooth. For smaller chips and cracks, that might lead to decay, as normal brushing and flossing can’t reach small crevices inside a tooth. 

But if the damage extends far enough, bacteria can enter the inner chamber of your tooth, where your pulp is located. Pulp is living tissue, and subject to infection. Once infection develops, a root canal is often the only way to treat the matter. 

You have options for treating a chipped tooth

We offer a number of treatment options to repair a chipped tooth and restore your small. Very small chips can often be smoothed away with a dental tool that reshapes the edges of your teeth. This is often called tooth polishing.

Larger chips that extend deeper into your tooth tissue can be repaired using dental bonding, which involves applying a special material to the surface of the tooth and shaping it to align with your tooth’s natural contouring. This is a fast and affordable option that creates attractive results. 

Dental veneers are another popular choice. Veneers are incredibly thin porcelain shells that fit over your natural tooth tissue. They’re a great choice if you’d like to address other aesthetic issues like discoloration, minor alignment problems, gapped teeth, or abnormally sized teeth. Veneers offer the chance to correct a chip while transforming your smile. 

Crowns are a good fit for large chips, or for a tooth that also has areas of decay. A dental crown covers all visible portions of your natural tooth. Once any areas of decay are removed, the tooth is shaped in preparation for placing the custom dental crown using dental cement. 

Don’t ignore a chipped tooth

If you’ve sustained a chipped tooth, or you’ve noticed a chip in a loved one’s smile, take action right away to preserve your dental health. It doesn’t matter how large or small a chip might be, or whether there is any pain following a chip.

Having Dr. Azran check the tooth is the only way to know for sure how serious a chip might be. We’re happy to perform a dental exam and imaging if needed to learn more about the extent of the damage. From there, you’ll discuss treatment options and what to expect from each approach. 

When you’re ready to set up a visit, you can reach BH Dental NY online or over the phone. We’re here to help you find the best possible treatment option for your unique set of needs