We Can Fix a Chipped Tooth! Flexible Hours, Same Day Appointments Available
So, you’ve chipped a tooth. It’s not the end of the world, but it certainly isn’t any fun. Relax. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we treat chipped and broken teeth every day, and we can often arrange same-day appointments that are quick and comfortable. And yes, we can be your family’s emergency dentist, even if we’ve never seen you before.
The first step is to have a dentist examine the tooth to confirm that the damage is no worse than a chip. Whenever you chip or break a tooth, you should see a dentist near you as soon as possible to prevent the damage from worsening. While not every chipped tooth is an emergency, having it looked at as soon as possible can prevent further damage.
Minor to Moderate Chipped Tooth Repair
Most chipped teeth can be repaired using a filling or bonding. A practice like ours, which understands that cosmetic dentistry isn’t always just cosmetic, will determine which solution best fits your needs based on the extent of the tooth’s damage. Fillings are most often used on back teeth, such as molars. If you can see the tooth when you smile, then the dentist will probably use a process called dental bonding.
In dental bonding, the dentist carefully applies a tooth-colored bonding resin to the chipped area of the tooth, which has been shaped to match the tooth’s natural appearance. They’ll make sure the color of the bonding matches the natural tooth perfectly. The bond is then hardened with ultraviolet light, and voila! – Your tooth is repaired. It’s a fairly simple, noninvasive procedure that usually doesn’t require numbing.
While bonding isn’t as strong as porcelain solutions like tooth veneers, dental bonding provides a long-term, low-maintenance, quick way to repair your tooth. For more severe damage, bonding might not hold up as well as porcelain-based restorations.
What if Your Tooth is Too Broken for Dental Bonding?
If a large portion of the tooth has fractured or the tooth has extensive decay, you may need a cap or a crown to protect the tooth and preserve the beauty of your smile. Occasionally, a cosmetic dentist will extract a broken tooth and replace it with a dental implant. The worst-case scenario for a chipped or broken tooth is a fracture that extends to the gum line and affects the tooth’s nerve. In this case, you’ll need a root canal.
Seeking immediate dental care from an emergency dentist is always important when you’ve chipped a tooth. Any time the inner tooth (what’s beneath the enamel) is exposed to elements like food, air, and the bacteria in your mouth, there’s the risk of further damage. Thankfully, our Sharonville practice is always on call for emergencies because accidents don’t typically follow a 9-to-5 schedule.
How to Get Pain Relief Until You See Your Family Dentist
If you’re in pain before your family dentist can get you in for an emergency appointment, there are several at-home remedies you can try for relief. In fact, you probably have some of these on your spice rack. While OTC painkillers and anti-inflammatories are always an option, there are several natural ways to ease the pain and fight bacteria without ibuprofen or naproxen. So, while you’re waiting for your emergency dental care, try one of these home methods to make the wait more tolerable:
- Saltwater rinses: Use a mixture of salt and lukewarm water as a mouthwash. Simple iodized table salt is best because it dissolves easily. The lukewarm water will soothe the toothache, and salt has natural antibacterial properties.
- Vanilla extract: Like garlic, most of us have vanilla on hand at home. Vanilla is an anti-inflammatory and a pain reliever, so it has almost numbing properties. Soak a cotton ball in vanilla and dab it around the painful area of the cracked tooth.
- Peppermint tea: Soak a tea bag in warm water, then place it on the affected area. Peppermint has antibacterial properties, and its cooling effect should help relieve your toothache.
- Numbing the pain with ice can also be quite effective. Apply an ice pack to the side of the face that hurts from a broken filling or a cracked tooth. However, if you have an exposed nerve, the extreme cold may make it hurt more, so go easy.
Emergency Family Dental Care in Sharonville, and the Surrounding Cincinnati Areas
In any case, it’s important to find a dentist who can fix a chipped tooth immediately. Many patients are surprised to learn that delays for even minor chips could lead to additional dental problems. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we understand that accidents happen. Emergencies are always unpleasant, and not being able to seek immediate dental care would only worsen the situation. Contact us today, whether it’s for an emergency or to schedule an appointment. We are the top dental practice in Cincinnati, offering quality, comfortable emergency dental care to the communities of Sharonville, Blue Ash, Evendale, Springdale, and the surrounding areas!