Is a Chipped Tooth Really a Big Deal?

Louisville, KY

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body. Despite that, it isn’t completely invincible. A tooth can chip or break when a person bites down too hard or uses their teeth as tools (like to open pens or bottle lids). Chips, cracks and breaks can also happen because of trauma — like if someone is hit in the mouth — or as the result of decay. Bruxism, the unconscious clenching and grinding of teeth, can also wear down teeth and cause them to chip, crack or break.

When a tooth chips, it doesn’t always hurt because it may not be deep enough to reach the pulp of the tooth, where the nerves are. But a chipped tooth carries other consequences. Let’s look at them today with our cosmetic dentist in Louisville at Exceptional Dentistry. 

Immediate concerns

Sometimes, a tooth can chip and cause no discomfort. Other times, a chipped tooth can cause:

• Tooth sensitivity — A chipped tooth can expose the inner layers of your tooth, leading to increased sensitivity to temperature.
• Sharp edges — When a tooth chips, it can leave jagged edges that cut your tongue, cheeks and/or lips.
• Pain — If the chip is deep enough to reach the pulp and affect the nerve, you might experience significant pain.
• Concerns about appearance — If a chip happens on a visible tooth, it can cause a person to be self-conscious about smiling, which impacts self-confidence.

Long-term implications

Ignoring a chipped tooth, even if it isn’t causing you pain, can lead to:

• Decay — A chip can expose the inner layers of your tooth to bacteria, increasing the risk of decay.
• Infection — If bacteria enter the tooth through the tooth chip, it can lead to an infection or abscess, which can be painful and potentially serious.
• Structural integrity — A chipped tooth is a weak tooth, and the weakness makes it more susceptible to damage. If a chipped tooth isn’t treated, it could lead to extensive dental restorative work down the road.

How is a chipped tooth treated?

Treatment options for a chipped tooth depend on the severity of the damage. In our Jeffersonville cosmetic dentist office, we treat chips in two primary ways:

• Dental bonding — Cosmetic bonding is a quick, affordable and convenient way to repair a chipped, cracked or fractured tooth. It can also address unwanted gaps between teeth and minor crowding and crookedness. During bonding, our Louisville cosmetic dentist applies a composite material, brushing it on the surface of the affected tooth then shaping, hardening and polishing it to match neighboring teeth. Bonding is completed in a single visit to our office.
• Veneers — Veneers are wafer-thin, durable “shells” that bond to the front surfaces of teeth and are a popular option to correct a variety of cosmetic dental issues, including chipped, stained, gapped or crooked teeth. Veneer treatment is minimally invasive and uses natural teeth as a base to completely transform a smile. Each veneer is custom-made to beautifully and naturally fit an individual’s teeth and smile. With proper dental care, veneers can last up to 20 years.

A couple of preventative tips

You can take action to minimize the risks of chipping a tooth. Be careful biting down on hard candies or ice; they can damage your teeth. Wear mouthguards to protect your teeth if you play sports or have bruxism, the clenching and grinding of teeth at night. And, as always, visit our cosmetic dentist office in Louisville regularly. We can spot fractures early that would otherwise lead to chips, cracks or breaks.

Veneers and dental bonding in Louisville, Jeffersonville, and Shepherdsville, KY

While a chipped tooth might not always seem like a big deal, treating it promptly can mean the difference between a simple restorative procedure or more complications and more extensive dental work down the road. Whether a minor cosmetic issue or a more serious problem like a fracture or break, our team at Exceptional Dentistry can provide the appropriate treatment to restore your smile and protect your dental health. If you’ve chipped a tooth, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at 888-918-3336, or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.