Did you know that enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth, is the strongest substance produced by the human body? It’s even denser and harder than bone, but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible.
For instance, it’s possible to chip your teeth if you don’t take the proper precautions. But you might hesitate to contact your dentist for help if you’re convinced your injured tooth will mend itself if given enough time. Continue reading to learn why it’s better to contact your provider for help sooner rather than later to repair damaged teeth!
What Causes Chipped Teeth?
If you’ve recently noticed a chipped tooth, it’s natural to wonder what caused the injury and how urgent it might be. There are several potential causes, including neglected dental hygiene, teeth-grinding, and physical trauma. For instance, if you participate in team sports or other high-contact activities, a blow to the face could cause harm if you’re not wearing a mouthguard.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to contact your dentist for a professional assessment. You might assume a chipped tooth is a minor inconvenience, but the damage may extend further than you can see on your own.
Will My Chipped Tooth Heal Itself?
Some patients mistakenly assume that their teeth will eventually mend minor injuries, like bones do. But your teeth don’t have blood vessels or other living cells to regenerate themselves. That means once the damage is done, it’s unlikely to get better without your dentist’s help.
In fact, oral issues notoriously worsen the longer they remain untreated. The longer you wait to schedule an emergency appointment, the more likely you are to develop additional concerns, like dental decay, disease, infection, or more severe injuries. Fortunately, many dentists offer a variety of services to help repair your smile.
How Are Chipped Teeth Treated?
There are several potential treatment options for handling chipped teeth, and your dentist will make a recommendation once they’ve had a chance to examine your condition. Then, based on their findings, they might suggest one of the following:
- Dental bonding. This involves placing color-matched composite resin directly onto your teeth to rebuild lost sections, but it isn’t always ideal for chips on the edge of your enamel.
- Porcelain veneers. These customized ceramic shells are cemented over the fronts of your enamel to mask imperfections, including chips, cracks, and stubborn stains.
- Dental crowns. If your tooth is severely damaged or broken, one of these restorations can help protect it from further harm while allowing you to use the tooth to eat, speak, and smile confidently.
If you’ve chipped a tooth and are unsure whether it requires urgent attention, contacting your dentist sooner rather than later can help prevent worsening issues!
About the Practice
Patients at Weiss Dental Arts benefit from two providers who are passionate about helping families in Skokie build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. Dr. Weiss and Dr. Carley collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services, including emergency services, to meet the unique needs of people of all ages. Their caring approach is paired with state-of-the-art technology to deliver customized treatment plans for more comfortable, accurate results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (847) 864-0188.