Why a Chipped Tooth is a Big Deal

Louisville, KY

Tooth enamel is the hardest and toughest substance in the human body, but despite this, teeth can chip and break. Being struck in the mouth forcefully, falling on the mouth, and biting down too hard on something can cause fractures, chips or breaks, especially if the tooth is already weakened by decay. Nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) can also chip teeth.

A chipped tooth that seems to retain complete function and doesn’t cause agonizing pain can lead one to think that the chip is not a big deal. But chipped teeth can have a number of consequences – some unpleasant and some potentially serious. What can these consequences be?

Appearance

A chip in a prominent tooth (such as the front teeth) can cause a change in appearance. Depending on the size of the chip, this change can be noticeable and may be considered unsightly, if only to the sufferer. Furthermore, a chip can cause a slight change in speech, as the tongue may have to “relearn” the landscape of the mouth. These may make someone feel self-conscious and cause emotional discomfort.

Pain

The act, itself, of chipping a tooth may be painful. And if not, or if the pain decreases over time, the chipped area may still be sharp and (depending on where the chipped tooth is in the mouth) can cut the tongue, lip, and/or cheek, causing considerable pain. Furthermore, the indentation in the tooth may be sensitive, especially to heat, cold, and sugar, and when eating certain kinds of foods.

Overall dental health

A chip may cause additional complications. If it is deep enough, a crack or chip might affect the tooth’s nerve. This can lead to an infection that can cause even further damage to the tooth and even to the jaw if left untreated.

Even small chips can encourage bacteria growth on a tooth. The bacteria produce acid that can cause further harm to the enamel, causing decay in the area around the chip. Such bacteria also tend to cause bad breath. Because of the bacteria, small chips can grow larger. In the worst-case scenario, the tooth may be lost and the jaw consequently affected.

Treatment

A chipped tooth should be considered a big deal even if the chip itself is small, difficult to see, or hidden and does not cause pain. The first step is to visit a dentist, who will evaluate the tooth for damage and the likelihood of further complications.

In the best-case scenario, a small chip may not require any further action, though it is always best to seek a dentist’s opinion. Likewise, the chip may require minor work. For example, the dentist may advise some mild filing to remove any sharp edges and smooth the tooth surface. S/He could also recommend applying cosmetic bonding, which is a resin that can be matched to the color of the other teeth. This resin will seal the chip and restore its appearance. These procedures can usually be completed in a single dental visit.

On the other hand, more serious injuries resulting in larger chips or cracked or broken teeth will probably require further action. Chips that are bigger (or have grown) may need to be covered with veneers, which are porcelain “shells” that attach to the tooth’s surface. A crown, which covers an entire tooth, may be recommended for more severe cases; crowns cover an entire tooth.

A crown will be needed if the damaged tooth requires a root canal, which would be necessary if the injury or worsening of the chip has allowed bacteria to reach the tooth’s root. A root canal will require multiple visits since a prosthetic crown will likely need to be fabricated in an off-site lab. The dentist’s office will first make a mold of the mouth and affected tooth to send to the lab. If the dentist has CEREC (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramic) technology, however, a patient could avoid multiple visits. This technology uses computer-assisted models and 3-D printing to create a crown or veneer in-office. CEREC can allow for crowns and veneers to be placed that very day, though the dental visit might last longer than usual.

Chipped teeth

A chipped tooth may be painful enough to grab a sufferer’s attention immediately, or it might be slight enough to be ignored. Either way, chipped teeth should always result in a visit to a dentist, who will know how to restore the tooth or at least keep it from growing worse.