Different types of tooth damage<\/h2> ![\"damage](\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/sweets-300x300.jpg\")
The sweetest of culprits can break your teeth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> Did you know that your tooth enamel is the strongest tissue in your body – even tougher than your bones? Still, a number of things can cause broken, chipped and cracked teeth<\/strong>, including:<\/p> - Chewing something hard like ice, nuts or boiled sweets<\/li>
- Biting down on something hard unexpectedly, such as an olive stone<\/li>
- Using teeth for things you shouldn’t (e.g. opening a bottle or cutting thread)<\/li>
- Receiving a blow to the face or mouth<\/li>
- Falls and other accidents<\/li>
- Underlying decay which weakens teeth<\/li>
- Erosion of enamel from acidic foods and drinks<\/li>
- Old fillings which have fallen out<\/a> or no longer support the remaining tooth<\/li> <\/ul>
Where the tooth enamel is already weakened or the tooth has decay<\/a> beneath the surface, it will be more susceptible to damage from other sources.<\/p> The treatment options for your tooth injury will depend on how serious it is<\/strong>. A tooth with a small chip is straightforward to treat, usually either by polishing or filling it with composite material<\/a>. However, a seriously broken or fractured tooth may have to be extracted.<\/p> Whatever type of tooth damage you have, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible, even if you have no pain. This is because without the proper treatment the tooth may sustain further damage.<\/p>
Chipped teeth<\/h2>
Chips are relatively common. They can range from a small chip in the tooth enamel to a more noticeable part of the tooth missing. When just the enamel is chipped, there shouldn’t be any pain. If the chip has exposed the nerve inside the tooth, however, it is likely to cause painful toothache<\/a>.<\/p> ![\"tooth](\"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2017\/10\/Depositphotos_4316178_m-2015-200x300.jpg\")
Even a small chip can be noticeable when you smile<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> There are four main reasons for fixing a tooth that is chipped:<\/p>
- It’s causing you pain<\/li>
- It has left a sharp surface which may cut the soft tissue in your mouth<\/li>
- The softer layer of dentin inside your tooth is exposed and at risk of decay<\/li>
- You don’t like the way it looks<\/li> <\/ul>
What to do with a chipped tooth<\/h3>
If a piece of your tooth has chipped off and you still have the fragment, store it in milk and visit a dentist as soon as you can. They may be able to attach the fragment back in place with a dental adhesive.<\/p>
Don’t worry if you can’t find the fragment, as there are other ways to fix a chipped tooth.<\/p>
Ask a dentist: Is a chipped tooth an emergency? <\/div> <\/p> Determining whether a chipped or cracked tooth is an emergency depends on if the fracture is very painful or if it has left sharp fragments that result in oral trauma. If the tooth is chipped but isn\u2019t painful, you can wait to see your dentist. If the injury can wait until your dentist can see you in the next couple of days, it typically isn\u2019t defined as a \u201cdental emergency\u201d. <\/p>
In the interim, treat your chipped tooth by cleaning your mouth by rinsing with warm water. If swelling or pain occurs, a cold compress can be applied to the outside of your face over the affected area. Talk to your dentist before taking a painkiller or using numbing gel because it can damage your gums.<\/p>
Dr. Shane S. Porter, Premier Dentistry of Eagle<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>
Chipped tooth repair<\/h3>
In the case of very small chips, treatment might not be clinically necessary. If there is a sharp surface on the remaining tooth, your dentist will probably polish the tooth to smooth it out and prevent cuts inside your mouth.<\/p>
For larger chips, they may build the tooth back to its original shape with a kind of filling – a process known as dental bonding<\/strong>. This can be done using a tooth-coloured composite material or silver amalgam<\/a>.<\/p> Provided there is no decay in the tooth that needs to be removed, bonding doesn’t require an anaesthetic. The dentist roughens the surface of the tooth using a gel then adds adhesive. After that, they apply the bonding material and mould it to the desired shape. It’s then hardened using UV light.<\/p>
This fascinating video shows that dental bonding is just as much an art form as it is a medical procedure:<\/p> \t \t\t
Did you know that your tooth enamel is the strongest tissue in your body – even tougher than your bones? Still, a number of things can cause broken, chipped and cracked teeth<\/strong>, including:<\/p> Where the tooth enamel is already weakened or the tooth has decay<\/a> beneath the surface, it will be more susceptible to damage from other sources.<\/p> The treatment options for your tooth injury will depend on how serious it is<\/strong>. A tooth with a small chip is straightforward to treat, usually either by polishing or filling it with composite material<\/a>. However, a seriously broken or fractured tooth may have to be extracted.<\/p> Whatever type of tooth damage you have, it’s important to see your dentist as soon as possible, even if you have no pain. This is because without the proper treatment the tooth may sustain further damage.<\/p> Chips are relatively common. They can range from a small chip in the tooth enamel to a more noticeable part of the tooth missing. When just the enamel is chipped, there shouldn’t be any pain. If the chip has exposed the nerve inside the tooth, however, it is likely to cause painful toothache<\/a>.<\/p> There are four main reasons for fixing a tooth that is chipped:<\/p> If a piece of your tooth has chipped off and you still have the fragment, store it in milk and visit a dentist as soon as you can. They may be able to attach the fragment back in place with a dental adhesive.<\/p> Don’t worry if you can’t find the fragment, as there are other ways to fix a chipped tooth.<\/p> Determining whether a chipped or cracked tooth is an emergency depends on if the fracture is very painful or if it has left sharp fragments that result in oral trauma. If the tooth is chipped but isn\u2019t painful, you can wait to see your dentist. If the injury can wait until your dentist can see you in the next couple of days, it typically isn\u2019t defined as a \u201cdental emergency\u201d. <\/p> In the interim, treat your chipped tooth by cleaning your mouth by rinsing with warm water. If swelling or pain occurs, a cold compress can be applied to the outside of your face over the affected area. Talk to your dentist before taking a painkiller or using numbing gel because it can damage your gums.<\/p> Dr. Shane S. Porter, Premier Dentistry of Eagle<\/strong><\/p> <\/div> <\/div> In the case of very small chips, treatment might not be clinically necessary. If there is a sharp surface on the remaining tooth, your dentist will probably polish the tooth to smooth it out and prevent cuts inside your mouth.<\/p> For larger chips, they may build the tooth back to its original shape with a kind of filling – a process known as dental bonding<\/strong>. This can be done using a tooth-coloured composite material or silver amalgam<\/a>.<\/p> Provided there is no decay in the tooth that needs to be removed, bonding doesn’t require an anaesthetic. The dentist roughens the surface of the tooth using a gel then adds adhesive. After that, they apply the bonding material and mould it to the desired shape. It’s then hardened using UV light.<\/p> This fascinating video shows that dental bonding is just as much an art form as it is a medical procedure:<\/p>
Chipped teeth<\/h2>
What to do with a chipped tooth<\/h3>
Chipped tooth repair<\/h3>