How to Repair a Broken or Chipped Tooth

If you have a chipped tooth or even a broken tooth, it's important to see a dentist as soon as possible. There are a variety of ways to repair a broken tooth, from caps to veneers and crowns. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends rinsing your mouth with warm water right away to clean it, and applying pressure to stop any bleeding. Cold compresses can also help reduce swelling.

Fortunately, modern dentistry has the solutions to most dental problems due to the use of advanced technology. A broken tooth is considered a type of trauma, as it can prevent you from smiling and destroy your confidence. Falling, being hit in the face, or biting something hard can all cause a tooth to chip or break. If a break or splinter has left a large part of the tooth missing, the dentist may use filling material to reinforce the tooth and hold the crown.

If only a small part of the tooth enamel has come off, the dentist can repair the damage with a filling. If a tooth splinter or break is large enough to expose the pulp (the center of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels), bacteria from the mouth can enter and infect the pulp. If your tooth has a small splinter and a serrated edge, you can apply dental wax to the edge to prevent it from cutting your tongue or damaging your mouth. If the entire upper part of the tooth is broken but the root is still intact, the dentist or an endodontist (a dentist who specializes in root canals) can perform a root canal and place a pin or post in the canal, and then build a sufficient structure on which a crown can be made. A dental veneer is another option for repairing broken teeth. It's a thin layer of tooth-colored porcelain or resin composite material that covers the entire front of the tooth (just like a false nail covers a nail) with a thicker section to replace the broken part of the tooth.

Dentists use a simple composite chip to correct and improve the appearance of the tooth. While a chipped tooth can range from mild to painful, there are still some steps you can take to ease the pain. Temporary broken tooth repair kits are available at pharmacies and online and can be useful while waiting to see a dentist.