Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency?

The 32 teeth we have as adults are the starting point for digestion through cutting and chewing the food we eat. Because we rely on them so often, they are prone to wear and tear and damage from a number of different dental problems. Teeth are quite strong (enamel is the toughest substance we produce in our bodies), but once things get past the hard exterior, a lot of other problems can make things worse.

A common dental condition is a chipped or cracked tooth, and there are many reasons they can happen, and the amount of damage to a tooth can vary. But under what conditions is it considered a bad enough problem to warrant medical attention? Let’s try to answer that question by looking at the reasons why people deal with chipped teeth, what factors indicate an emergency situation, and what can be done to treat it.

If you live in the Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, area and you’re struggling with tooth damage, such as chips and cracks, our team at Oasis Dental Team PC can help restore your teeth.

Reasons for a chipped tooth

The enamel that forms the outer layer of teeth can be damaged in various ways, including wear and tear, the force from an impact, or bad dental hygiene. If an accident or a fall impacts the mouth, it can lead to various chipping in minor cases but can also cause cracking, loosening, or even avulsing (pulling or tearing away from the jaw). If germs and bacteria get under the enamel, it can lead to long-term damage that leads to chips and cracks and eventually causes the tooth to fall out.

Other causes include biting down on hard foods like ice or candy, playing contact sports without mouth protection (leading to the aforementioned impact injuries), and teeth grinding, creating more wear and tear.

Factors that determine if it’s an emergency

Many issues with this type of dental problem can require immediate dental care, such as severe tooth pain, lost or broken dental restoration, severe soft tissue injury, a partially dislodged tooth, or dental abscess. These can be treated in the office, but if damage is severe enough, such as broken facial bones, a trip to the emergency room is necessary.

Chipped teeth can still need medical attention if they’re not emergencies, such as if the chip is big enough to keep the tooth from working properly. Other related problems that are non-emergency but still need treatment include objects stuck between teeth, minor soft tissue injury, and dull or mild toothache.

How to treat it

Each emergency situation will depend on the cause of the damage, but here are some common ways this problem is treated:

• Crowns: either temporary or permanent, depending on your needs, this can help to restore your tooth’s original shape and protect it from further damage

• Fillings: this can help protect a chipped tooth and is often used to manage fractured cusps on molars

• Veneers: this layer of dental material is placed on a damaged tooth for protection and to improve its appearance

• Root canal: if a cracked tooth has damage that extends to the root, a root canal can be done to relieve pain and prevent infection

Chipped teeth always happen, but if it becomes an emergency, we have several ways to help. If you’re ready to manage dental issues like chipped teeth, schedule an appointment at Oasis Dental Team PC today.