Emergency Dentistry: Chipped Teeth Repair in Fredericksburg

Emergency Dentistry in Fredericksburg

It’s quite common for people to chip their teeth after biting a hard piece of food or receiving a heavy blow in the mouth. When this happens you should get checked by your dentist as soon as possible. Most dental offices have emergency appointments. A chipped tooth requires early management in order to preserve the tooth and avoid further damage.

Your dentist will most likely look into ways of preserving your natural teeth but there are a few things you can do immediately after you chip your teeth to help yourself even before getting to the dental office.

  • Rinse your mouth with salt water to reduce the chances of infection
  • If the chipped tooth left a sharp edge, cover it with sugarless gum until you are able to get to your dentist. Sharp edges can cause further injury to the mouth.
  • An over-the-counter painkiller can help temporarily reduce your pain

What your dentist can do to treat your chipped tooth

A chipped tooth is a dental emergency and your dentist will start your treatment immediately by first reducing your pain and bleeding if any. After that, there are several treatments that your dentist will recommend based on how much the tooth is broken. Some of the treatments for chipped teeth are;

Dental filling or bonding

If only a small part of your tooth is chipped, a dental filling can restore it. If the affected tooth is a front tooth that can be seen when you smile, your dentist may use dental bonding instead. Dental bonding uses a tooth-colored composite resin.

Dental crown

If a larger part was chipped or you have tooth decay, your dentist may file away some more parts of the tooth and cover it with a dental crown which is a tooth-like cap that covers the tooth giving it a good appearance. Metal, ceramic, porcelain, and resin are some of the materials used to make dental crowns. Although a chipped tooth is a dental emergency, dental crown treatment requires more than one visit. On the first visit, you receive a temporary crown and on the second visit, a permanent crown is cemented.

Dental veneers

A dental veneer is a thin shell of tooth-colored porcelain or resin composite material that is perfect for repairing a front chipped tooth. Your dentist will make an impression of your tooth and send it to the lab so that your veneers will perfectly match your natural teeth color.

Root canal

If the chipped tooth exposed your pulp leaving it prone to bacteria, a dentist or endodontist will perform a root canal procedure. It involves removing the dead pulp, cleaning the root, and sealing it. Usually, a dental crown will still be needed to cover the top part of the tooth.

At Founders Endodontics, we understand the importance of a comprehensive approach to oral health. If you or your loved one requires our services in Fredericksburg, please reach out to us at 540-408-0020.