When you chip or break a tooth, this is a dental emergency situation and one that needs attention from your Astoria, NY, dentist. We’re currently only offering emergency care on a case-by-case basis, so we want to see you if you damage part of your smile. In today’s blog, we’re going to discuss how to respond to chipped teeth, and how we might restore one.
The Health Risks of a Chipped Tooth
We could chip a tooth by biting down on a hard piece of food, even something as seemingly harmless as a popcorn kernel or a piece of ice. Others could damage teeth as part of a sports injury. When a tooth is chipped, this could expose the inner layers of dentin, which are much more sensitive than the outer enamel, to harmful bacteria. Soon, you could develop a cavity or even a dental infection, which not only causes discomfort, but also increases the risk of eventual tooth loss unless treated!
When to Seek Treatment
If you chip a tooth, try to recover any pieces you can and bring them to the office with you wrapped in tissue or in a small container. Rinse your mouth with warm water and use a washcloth or gauze to stem any bleeding. Placing a cold compress or ice pack against the side of the face could also reduce facial swelling. Take a pain reliever to ease discomfort, and then give our office a call. We will schedule a time to see you and restore the damage. If you sustain an injury and the damage appears minor, still contact us, especially if a cavity has already formed!
Repairing Your Smile
When you arrive, we will have scheduled your appointment to prevent you from sharing the waiting room with other patients. In between each visit, our team also thoroughly cleans and disinfects surfaces throughout the office. Using advanced technology, we will examine your smile and identify the cause and extent of your damage. For many, we can repair a chipped tooth with dental bonding. The procedure uses a lifelike composite resin to address the damage, the same material used in our lifelike fillings. If the tooth is cracked or suffers a more substantial chip, then we may create and place a crown. If you have any questions about dental emergency situations, or if you have a damaged tooth in need of repair, then contact our team today to let us know.
Do You Have Questions About Emergency Dentistry?
Our team is ready to help you maintain a healthy smile by addressing your damaged teeth. To learn more about how we address serious concerns and improve oral health, then schedule a consultation, call Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, in Astoria, NY, today at 718-728-8320.
