Does a Chipped Tooth Count as a Dental Emergency?

Enduring a chipped tooth can be a stressful situation, but you can minimize the anxiety and stress it causes by understanding how to properly handle the situation. While a minor chip may not require immediate attention, it is important to seek dental emergency treatment for a more severely chipped tooth.

Treating a chipped tooth: is it a dental emergency?

A severely chipped tooth is considered a dental emergency. Without prompt dental care, the damage to the tooth may grow worse and lead to additional complications, such as the loss of the tooth and an oral infection. This review discusses when a chipped tooth is a dental emergency and how to handle the situation.

A chipped tooth can be a dental emergency depending on the severity

It is important to promptly assess the severity of a chipped tooth to determine if it is a dental emergency or if the concern can be managed at home until a more convenient time for a dental visit. The signs that indicate a chipped tooth is a dental emergency include:

• A large chip
• Severe tooth sensitivity
• Gum swelling
• Swollen lymph nodes

Be sure to visit a dentist that can treat dental emergencies if one or more of the aforementioned signs develop after a tooth is chipped. Otherwise, the long-term health of the tooth may be in jeopardy.

The earlier treatment can be administered the better

A tooth that is severely chipped is likely to get worse without prompt care from a licensed dentist. There are various concerns that could develop due to a chipped tooth, including but not limited to:

• The chip could get worse
• Increased sensitivity and pain
• An oral infection could develop
• The tooth could fall out of the socket

While not every chipped tooth is a dental emergency, they all require care within a reasonable amount of time, even if there are no serious symptoms initially.

Types of chipped tooth treatment

A dentist can treat a chipped tooth in various ways. The most common methods used for a chipped tooth are dental crowns and dental bonding. These options are minimally invasive, and they look natural and provide adequate protection for the tooth. For severe cases, a chipped tooth may lead to the need for root canal therapy followed by the placement of a crown, or the tooth may need extraction followed by tooth replacement.

How to prevent a chipped tooth from occurring

Preventing a chipped tooth is not always possible, but there are precautions that can be taken to minimize risk. Most notably, it is important to wear a mouth guard during dangerous activities, such as playing a sport. It is also important to practice good oral hygiene and avoid biting down on hard foods or materials.

Our dentist office offers dental emergency treatment

Our general dentistry team can treat a range of dental emergencies, including but not limited to damaged teeth, oral infections, gum swelling, and more. If you experience oral discomfort or have sudden dental trauma, contact us today to receive prompt care from a licensed dentist.

Are you considering chipped tooth treatment in the Coral Gables area? Get more information at https://www.gablesexceptionaldentistry.com.

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