If you’re lucky, your emergency dentist may be able to repair the tooth by smoothing the enamel using a tool. If your chip is very minor and hasn’t caused any harm to the rest of the tooth, this method will work.
Filling or bonding
Your dentist can use a composite filling, also known as bonding, to repair a minor chip in your tooth. Your dentist will clean the chipped tooth before placing a filling substance such as resin to the tooth during this procedure. They’ll harden the material with UV radiation and then shape it once it’s hardened. To avoid looking strange, the filling material is generally tailored to match the color of your tooth. A filling or bonding is rather inexpensive, and it’s probable that your dental insurance will cover it. Most dental insurance plans are accepted at Castle Dental, and your emergency dentist will be able to advise you on the most cost-effective treatment option.
Dental crown
When a tooth is cracked or severely fractured, your dentist may recommend that it be repaired with a dental crown. This is especially true if dental decay caused the fracture. Your dentist will work to remove any decay from the tooth and file it down to the point where the fracture has ceased. After that, they’ll make a crown to cover the entire tooth. Resin, porcelain, or metal might be used to create your dental crown. Metal is the most durable and often the most cost-effective alternative. Some patients, on the other hand, prefer a more subtle appearance with their dental crown and choose a porcelain crown.
Your dentist can refer you to an oral surgeon if the tooth is entirely fractured but the root is still intact. To support a crown, your oral surgeon will most likely implant a pin into the root of the tooth. The cost of a dental crown is determined by the extent of the tooth’s damage and the type of crown that will be used to restore it.
Veneer
Patients who have a chipped tooth in the front of their mouth may benefit from a porcelain veneer. Veneers are typically used to help repair a tooth while also adding an aesthetic touch. Because the veneer is a thin composite that is placed over the front of the tooth, your dentist will need to smooth it out before placing it. Because veneers are primarily a cosmetic operation, your dental insurance may not cover them. However, if you prefer veneers over other treatment choices, Castle Dental offers inexpensive payment plans that can help.
Root canal
Your dentist may recommend a root canal if a tooth has been cracked owing to dental decay or an infected tooth. Your dentist will extract the pulp from your tooth during this procedure, thereby hollowing it out. They will then seal the tooth to prevent bacteria from entering it. The tooth is then restructured with a dental crown or filling. Although root canals are costly, most dental insurance policies will pay a portion of the cost.
Can a dentist fix a chipped tooth?
If only a little portion of your tooth enamel has been chipped away, your dentist may be able to restore the damage with a filling. If the damage is on a front tooth or can be seen when you smile, your dentist will most likely use a tooth-colored composite resin in a technique called bonding.
Bonding is a straightforward treatment that does not usually necessitate anesthesia of the teeth. To bind a tooth, the dentist roughens the tooth’s surface using a liquid or gel before applying the bonding agent. The dentist will then apply an adhesive material to the tooth before applying a tooth-colored resin. The dentist uses ultraviolet radiation to solidify the bonding material after molding it to seem like a genuine tooth.
How much does it cost to fix a half chipped tooth?
You’ve undoubtedly guessed that the cost of repairing a chipped tooth will be determined by the extent of the damage and the procedure required to restore it. You are correct. Aside from that, charges can vary greatly from one dentist to the other.
In general, the following fees can be expected for various treatments that can repair chipped teeth:
- Bonding a tooth can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000, depending on the amount of treatment that needs to be done on the tooth.
- A crown can cost as little as $250 or as much as $3,200, depending on the type of crown you obtain and the area in your mouth where it’s installed.
- A root canal can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000, depending on the amount of the damage and the location of the tooth in the mouth.
Your dentist can tell you which treatment(s) would be most effective in repairing your chipped tooth, as well as discuss pricing with you to help you make the best selection for your dental health and wallet.
How long does teeth bonding last?
Dental bonding normally lasts three to ten years before it needs to be touched up. Depending on the patient’s particular behaviors, this can differ. Chewing on ice or other hard things, for example, might cause the bonding substance to break. Additionally, those who drink dark-colored foods and beverages may experience premature discoloration and need to replace their items sooner than others.
Can a dentist fix a chipped tooth in one day?
The severity of the damage will determine the treatment for a chipped or broken tooth. If only a small bit of the enamel has broken away, a dentist may usually repair the tooth in only one office visit. A seriously fractured or damaged tooth, on the other hand, may necessitate a more expensive procedure that may require more than one office visit. Here are some options for repairing a chipped or damaged tooth that your dentist may suggest.
How can I fill a chipped tooth at home?
Many drugstores sell paraffin wax-filled emergency dental kits. To provide some protection, melt some paraffin wax between your fingers and apply it over and around the chipped tooth. If you’re out of paraffin wax, you can use sugarless chewing gum in the same way.
How urgent is a chipped tooth?
A dental emergency need the assistance of a medical expert right away. In many circumstances, this entails contacting a dentist and making an appointment the same day. In other cases, a visit to a hospital emergency room or urgent care facility may be required. This allows dental patients to receive medical therapy while they wait to be seen by a dentist.
Knowing when to seek emergency treatment
A broken tooth almost always necessitates a trip to the emergency dentist. In fact, one of the most common dental emergencies is tooth fractures. According to a Colgate article, fractured teeth are common as a result of sports-related activity, falling, or eating food. While broken teeth are a significant issue, there are two sorts of fractures that aren’t life-threatening.
Minor tooth fractures or chipped teeth do not necessitate a trip to the dentist or the emergency room right away. Your entire health and well-being are unaffected. As a result, simply making a routine dental appointment is sufficient.
Major tooth fractures, on the other hand, necessitate emergency dental care. A major fracture is one in which a significant portion of the tooth has been lost. This illness is frequently accompanied with excruciating dental discomfort. It is critical to seek medical help as soon as possible in these conditions.
Knowing where to turn for a dental emergency
Whether or not a patient has a regular dentist, they can get the medical treatment they need. According to MouthHealthyTM, many dentists set aside time during the day to treat emergency patients. It is therefore worthwhile to contact a family dentist or other dentists in the neighborhood. There’s a good possibility the office will be able to handle an emergency the same day a broken tooth occurs.
It’s possible that a broken tooth will occur at an inconvenient time. A dental emergency can occur at any time of day or night, on the weekend, or during the holidays. In these cases, call the dentist’s office at any time of day or night. Patients can usually call an emergency number that will give them pre-recorded instructions on how to address a dental emergency. Keep in mind that you can also go to the emergency room.
How can I fix my chipped tooth myself?
A tooth that has been chipped, cracked, or broken can be extremely painful. Depending on your dental health and the sort of injury, damage from chipping a tooth can be mild or severe.
Unless the damage is minor, there is no way to repair it permanently without seeing a dentist.
To avoid further injury, the greatest thing you can do before seeing a specialist is to relieve the discomfort and protect your teeth and mouth.
Does insurance cover a chipped tooth?
Several factors influence whether or not your dental insurance will pay the cost of dental bonding. Cosmetic dental bonding, such as filling a gap, may not be covered by insurance. If dental bonding is required for the health of your teeth, your dental insurance may pay a portion of the cost.
For example, if you need bonding to repair a chipped or fractured tooth, your insurance company may cover a percentage of the cost if it’s deemed necessary to prevent the tooth from cracking or breaking further and necessitating more significant dental work. Contacting your insurance company is the best way to find out if your dental insurance covers dental bonding. What is the cost of dental bonding without insurance? This is dependent on the type of tooth or teeth that need to be bonded, as well as other criteria.
Can you ignore a chipped tooth?
While a chipped or broken tooth may not appear to be a major issue, it should never be overlooked. Some chips may be minor, while others may require immediate attention from your Chesterfield emergency dentist, but in either case, it’s critical to have it checked.