Chipped Tooth Repair in Sydney

Our teeth are tough, but that does not mean they are invulnerable. A simple mistake like falling, biting down on hard foods, or even hitting the face can cause a tooth to chip and break.

Fortunately at Putney Dental, our clinics offer a range of services for chipped tooth repair. From dental crowns to veneers to fillings, we have a procedure sure to give you back your natural smile in no time at all!

What is a Chipped Tooth?

A chipped or broken tooth occurs when there is damage to the protective outer covering of our teeth, called enamel. However, despite tooth enamel being one of the more durable parts of our body, they are still susceptible to accidents.

While some chipped teeth are purely cosmetic, a big enough chip can cause sensitivity and discomfort, making you avoid chewing. This discomfort can turn to extreme pain and further complications if left untreated.

What’s the Difference Between a Chipped Tooth and a Cracked Tooth?

The biggest difference between a chipped or cracked tooth is whether or not the damage extends beyond the enamel. For a chipped tooth, the damage is mostly cosmetic, with the potential of further injury occurring when there is a significant enough chip or the issue has been left untreated.

In contrast, a cracked tooth is defined by the damage extending past the white outer layer of enamel, further down into the tooth. The crack can reach into the middle layer known as dentin, or even down into the pulp. This interior part of the tooth is particularly vulnerable to infection or decay, and requires a dentist as soon as possible to prevent complications.

It can be hard to tell the difference between a chipped or cracked tooth without professional help. The easiest way to know is by how much pain you feel and the appearance of the cracked-off piece of tooth.

To help further identify the difference, a chipped tooth commonly involves:

• The broken-off piece of the tooth the same colour all over; a piece of enamel 
• Minimal pain

Meanwhile, a cracked tooth includes:

• A piece of tooth with different colours and textures
• Significant pain at the site of damage
• The potential of the crack widening with usage

It is important to monitor any damage to your teeth and see a dentist as soon as there are any changes to pain levels or sensitivity.

What Causes a Chipped Tooth?

There are several reasons why you may have chipped or broken teeth. Damage is usually caused by significant blunt force, or impacting your teeth with an unyielding object. 

Common causes include:

• A blow to the face
• A significant fall
• Consistent teeth grinding
• Loss of tooth structure from age and wear
• Biting down on hard food or objects
• Tooth decay
• Uneven bite patterns
• Previous root canal treatment causing fragility
• Experiencing temperature extremes

Chipped Front Tooth

Due to being at the front of your mouth, it is more common to chip your front teeth than any other, leaving an obvious mark on your smile. Even if the damage or pain is insignificant, you may be interested in a chipped tooth repair procedure to restore your natural tooth.

Broken Molar Tooth

A broken tooth, especially a molar, can be incredibly painful. This is because most of your chewing occurs at the back of your mouth, making them susceptible to biting into hard foods or grinding habits.

While eating on the opposite side of your damaged tooth can alleviate some of the pain, it does not resolve the issue like a professional can. A broken molar tooth should be immediately treated before further damage can occur.

What Should I Do If I Have a Chipped Tooth?

If you notice you have a chipped or broken tooth, the first step you need to take is to contact your dentist. They will be able to correctly diagnose the extent of the damage and provide you with suitable treatment options. 

In the time before your appointment, it is important to maintain the health and safety of your tooth. You can do so by:

• Ensuring you rinse your mouth regularly with warm salt water
• Using over-the-counter pain medication
• Apply an ice pack in the case of swelling
• Flossing twice daily to get rid of debris that might aggravate the wound
• Use dental wax or temporary bonding material like sugarless chewing gum to smooth out the jagged edges

How to Fix a Chipped Tooth

When you come in for your dental appointment, the extent of dental damage will be evaluated, as well as what area of the tooth is affected. This evaluation will determine which repair treatment is best suited for your teeth.

Dental Crowns

Best utilised on a broken tooth with a significant loss of enamel, dental crowns, also known as caps, cover the entire tooth with porcelain to fix your smile and prevent further complications. When your tooth is damaged enough to require a crown, tooth decay and pain from exposed nerves can likely set in.

A crown usually takes two appointments to install completely; the first to create a mould for the crowns, and the second to apply it to the tooth. To prevent any additional complications between these appointments, a temporary crown will likely be placed to protect the exposed pulp. 

Dental Veneers 

Your dentist may recommend a dental veneer (either composite or porcelain) for more severely chipped or cracked teeth. However, this generally only applies to chipped front teeth rather than damaged molars.

The process uses porcelain covers to mimic your original smile or upgrade it. Unlike crowns, the procedure is only applied to the visibly damaged part rather than the entire tooth. If necessary, your dentist can also place the veneer over several teeth for a cohesive and smooth smile that lasts for ten to twenty years.

Dental Bonding

A common repair process for a broken or chipped tooth, bonding is both quick and non-invasive. It involves moulding a composite material over the tooth chip and part of the healthy tooth to create a natural looking cover.

The dentist will begin the procedure by roughening the enamel for the composite to have a proper attachment site. Then they shape the bond in reflection of what your tooth is meant to look like, setting it with a blue light. This bond can last up to ten years if properly taken care of.

Fillings

Used more often for a chipped molar or back tooth,dental fillings are a common way to protect and repair a broken tooth or exposed cavity. While in the past the fillings were commonly made of metal, porcelain fused materials are recently used more often. This is because they look and feel close to your natural teeth.

The type of filling used will depend on the tooth’s extent of cracks or chips:

• An inlay is more common and fills in the centre of the tooth
• When the affected area is more substantial, perhaps even affecting the entire surface of the tooth, an outlay filling will be applied.

Root Canal Treatment

If your tooth is chipped or cracked enough to expose its insides, there is a chance that infection can set in. When your tooth has an infected pulp, it is likely your dentist will have to perform a root canal treatment.

A hole is drilled into your tooth to clean the inner pulp of any bad bacteria or debris. Once the affected site has been sterilised, you will be given a temporary crown until you are fitted for a permanent one. The tooth shaped cap should last as long as any other dental cover if properly cared for.

Tooth Extraction

Usually only done in cases where the broken tooth is unsalvageable, a tooth extraction involves removing the tooth entirely. Once removed, you can insert a dental implant that looks just like the original tooth to restore your smile.

Why Should I Get My Chipped Tooth Fixed?

As a chipped tooth cannot heal on its own, choosing not to undergo a tooth repair procedure will leave you with a crooked smile and a chance of developing further complications. It is advised to seek out a professional diagnosis as soon as you notice jagged edges or you feel pain in a tooth.

Who is Suitable for Treatment?

Whether you are suitable for cracked tooth repair depends solely on the treatment option your teeth require. Some health issues or age restrictions may block you from specific procedures, but there are often alternatives to consider.

Whether you are suitable for cracked tooth repair depends solely on the treatment option your teeth require. Some health issues or age restrictions may block you from specific procedures, but there are often alternatives to consider.

Your dentist will inform you on available treatment options once they have finished their diagnosis.

What Happens If I Don’t Fix a Chipped Tooth?

It is understandable in the case of a small cosmetic chip why you may not think to get it repaired, but leaving a tooth untreated, no matter how small the damage, can leave you susceptible to complications in the future. Namely, the damage extends to the root of your tooth and causes an infection, which can require a root canal treatment or extraction.

• Symptoms of a significantly damaged tooth include:
• Temperature sensitivity
• Constant pain, but especially when eating
• Bad breath or a sour taste in the mouth
• Fever
• Swollen glands around your neck or jaw
• Bleeding around the tooth

If you are showing signs of any of these symptoms, visit your nearest dental emergency centre.

Restore Your Smile with Putney Dental Care

Whether it is just a small piece of your enamel that is chipped off, or you have badly damaged your root canals, Putney Dental is here to restore your smile!

Perfect teeth never wait, and neither should you. Book online for your first consultation or contact our team of experienced dentists today to hear all about Sydney’s premiere chipped teeth repair options.

FAQs 

Why Does a Chipped Tooth Hurt?

Damage to the enamel is not always painful enough to notice, but if the chip reaches the soft tissue of your dental pulp, you are likely to experience pain. This is because the pulp hosts the nerves and blood vessels, making them sensitive to outside factors.

Should I Brush a Chipped Tooth?

You should always keep up with your dental hygiene when you have a chipped tooth, especially since they are more vulnerable to debris and bacteria. Brush and floss your teeth very gently.

Do Chipped Teeth Grow Back?

Chipped teeth never grow back, which is why you require the services of a dentist to repair the damage.

Can a Dentist Fix a Chipped Tooth in One Day?

If the tooth has experienced mostly cosmetic damage, then a dentist can fix a chipped tooth in one day with procedures like: dental veneer, bonding and fillings. Broken tooth repair may take longer, especially if the whole tooth needs work done.