Sudden dental emergencies can be overwhelming, especially if the situation is new to you. However, how you handle dental emergencies like a chipped tooth could impact the restoration results. Here is a brief guide on what to do if your tooth chips, and how your dentist will treat you. 

What Should You Do With a Chipped Tooth?

Chipped teeth can range in severity from small fractures along the edge of a tooth’s crown to large chips that expose the inner pulp of the tooth. If you chip a tooth, find the fragment and keep it in a glass of milk or water to protect the inner tissues. To alleviate pain and prevent infection, swish your mouth with a small amount of warm salt water. If your tooth is bleeding, bite down on clean gauze. Then contact your dentist immediately to schedule an emergency visit. 

How Can Your Dentist Help?  

As soon as you arrive at the dentist’s office, they’ll inspect your tooth. X-rays may be taken to check the condition of the inner pulp chamber, and the fragment examined to see if it is suitable for reattachment. 

While small, superficial chips can be reattached using dental cement, other fractures may run deep enough that they compromise the structural integrity of the tooth. In those cases, your tooth may be crowned or pulled to prevent additional damage. If you lose a tooth because of a fracture, dental implants are a practical solution to restore your appearance and chewing ability. 

Whether you have a chipped tooth or are concerned about another dental problem, trust the Implant Center of Maui to help improve your smile. For more than 30 years, this trusted dental clinic has offered everything from general dentistry services to advanced periodontal care, providing fillings, crowns, root canals, teeth whitening, and dental implants. To learn more about becoming a new patient, send them a message online or call their Kahului office at (808) 877-3606.