By repairing your chipped or cracked tooth, you enhance your smile and make your teeth look even.
A cracked or chipped tooth can happen in an instant, leaving you with pain, sensitivity, and concerns about your smile’s appearance. Whether it’s from biting down on something hard, playing sports, or even grinding your teeth at night, dental trauma requires immediate attention to prevent further complications and preserve your oral health.
At Ocean Breeze, Dr. Nicholas Goetz and Dr. Kathryn Gavalas Kaleel understand the urgency and anxiety that comes with dental emergencies. Our experienced team provides comprehensive care for cracked and chipped teeth, utilizing advanced techniques to restore both function and aesthetics to your smile. We’re committed to helping Delray Beach patients regain their confidence while ensuring their long-term oral health.
Not all tooth damage is created equal. A small chip in your front tooth may seem minor, but even seemingly insignificant damage can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Understanding the different types of tooth damage helps you recognize when professional care is necessary.
Chips typically occur on the outer surface of the tooth, affecting the enamel layer. While superficial chips might only impact appearance, deeper chips can expose the underlying dentin, leading to sensitivity and increased risk of decay. The location of the chip also matters – front teeth are more visible but often easier to repair, while back teeth endure more chewing pressure and may require more extensive restoration.
Cracks in teeth vary significantly in severity and treatment requirements. Craze lines are tiny, shallow cracks in the enamel that typically don’t require treatment but should be monitored. Fractured cusps occur when a piece of the tooth’s chewing surface breaks off, usually around a filling. These cracks rarely affect the tooth’s nerve but need professional restoration.
More serious cracks include those that extend from the chewing surface toward the root. These vertical cracks can cause significant pain and may require root canal treatment or even extraction if they extend below the gum line. Split teeth occur when a crack separates the tooth into distinct segments, often requiring extraction or specialized procedures to save the tooth.
When you discover a cracked or chipped tooth, taking immediate action can make the difference between a simple repair and extensive treatment. First, rinse your mouth gently with warm water to clean the area and remove any debris. If you’re experiencing bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze.
Save any pieces of the broken tooth if possible, storing them in milk or saliva until you can reach our office. Avoid chewing on the affected side and stay away from extremely hot or cold foods and beverages, which can trigger sensitivity. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort, but avoid placing aspirin directly on the tooth or gums.
Contact our Delray Beach office immediately, even if the damage seems minor. What appears to be a small chip could indicate deeper structural damage that requires prompt attention. Dr. Goetz and Dr. Kaleel can evaluate the extent of the damage and recommend appropriate treatment to prevent complications.
Modern dentistry offers numerous solutions for repairing cracked and chipped teeth, with treatment choice depending on the location, size, and severity of the damage. For minor chips, dental bonding provides a quick and cost-effective solution. This tooth-colored resin material is sculpted directly onto the tooth and hardened with a special light, creating a natural-looking repair that can be completed in a single visit.
Porcelain veneers offer an excellent solution for front teeth with chips or cracks, especially when multiple teeth need attention. These thin shells of porcelain are custom-crafted to match your natural teeth and bonded to the front surface, creating a beautiful, durable restoration that can last for decades with proper care.
When damage extends deeper into the tooth structure, more comprehensive treatment may be necessary. Dental crowns provide complete coverage for severely damaged teeth, protecting the remaining tooth structure while restoring full function and appearance. Our practice utilizes high-quality materials and precise techniques to ensure your crown looks and feels natural.
For cracks that reach the tooth’s nerve, root canal therapy may be required before placing a crown. This procedure removes infected or damaged tissue from inside the tooth, relieving pain and saving the natural tooth structure. Many patients are surprised to learn that modern root canal treatment is comfortable and highly successful.
When you treat your chipped or broken tooth adequately, not only the damaged tooth is improved, but also the surrounding teeth get stronger support and a base to prevent further tooth loss.
By immediately repairing your chipped or cracked tooth, you’re taking a huge step in preventing tooth loss.
By repairing your chipped or cracked tooth, you enhance your smile and make your teeth look even.
A chipped or broken tooth can cause pain if an infection develops in the damaged area. The sooner you fix your teeth, the less chances you will have of suffering pain due to your crack.
Repairing a chipped or cracked tooth will mean that your bite, and other functions (chewing, speaking, etc.) will improve.
Even if you consider it to be a minor crack, fixing your chipped or broken tooth is always the best choice. Your whole oral health will be benefited by repairing cracks in your teeth.
Preventing tooth damage is always preferable to treating it after it occurs. Avoiding hard foods like ice, popcorn kernels, and hard candies reduces your risk of chips and cracks. If you play contact sports, wearing a properly fitted mouthguard protects your teeth from trauma.
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a common cause of tooth damage that often occurs during sleep. If you wake up with jaw pain or notice wear on your teeth, discuss night guard options with Dr. Goetz or Dr. Kaleel. These custom-fitted appliances protect your teeth from grinding forces while you sleep.
Regular dental checkups allow us to identify small problems before they become major issues. During your routine visits, we examine your teeth for signs of wear, small cracks, or other concerns that could lead to more significant damage if left untreated.
When dental trauma strikes, you need a team that combines expertise with compassion. Dr. Nicholas Goetz brings specialized knowledge as one of only 150 maxillofacial prosthodontists in the United States, while Dr. Kathryn Gavalas Kaleel’s comprehensive training and Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry ensures you receive the highest standard of care. Our Delray Beach practice is equipped with advanced technology and materials to provide efficient, comfortable treatment for cracked and chipped teeth.
We understand that dental emergencies can be stressful, which is why we prioritize same-day appointments and work with you to find treatment solutions that fit your needs and budget. Don’t let a cracked or chipped tooth compromise your oral health or confidence. Contact Ocean Breeze Implant and Aesthetic Dentistry at (561) 265-1998 or schedule an appointment through our contact form today. Our experienced team is ready to restore your smile and get you back to feeling your best.
Depending on the kind of crack you have, your procedures will vary in complexity, and time.
CHIPPED OR CRACKED TOOTH FAQ
If you bite on hard foods, or fall down, and hurt your teeth, you will probably notice the crack immediately . However, it may happen that your root is affected, but you don´t notice it right away. To prevent further probelms, the best thing is to see the dentist asap and get your tooth repaired.
The treatment you get will depend a lot on your particular situation. If the root was affected, you will probably need more complex treatments such as root canals, implants and crowns. If the crack is minor, you can simply get a regular filling, an inlay or an onlay. It is important to see the dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Most dental insurance companies will typically cover simple procedures such as fillings, inlays or onlays. However, if you need a more complex procedure, you should always ask your insurance about coverage because benefits vary from one company (or dental plan) to another. If you have a PPO plan, and your insurance provides you with some kind of coverage, we will be happy to send everything to your company so you get reimbursed directly to your home after the treatment.
You can apply ice or cold pads on the affected area. Try to rinse your mouth if there´s bleeding and press the area with gauze to avoid more bleeding. If pain is very strong, you can take a pain reliever until you see your dentist and get the right treatment to repair your chipped or cracked tooth.
Your dentist will set the right treatment plan after checking your mouth. Then you will know if you have to see the doctor again or if the tooth has been repaired completely in one office visit. However, remember that to make sure your mouth keeps healthy, you need to visit your dentist at least twice a year.
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Ocean Breeze is a dental office located in Delray Beach, Fl. specializing in prosthodontic treatments as well as general and cosmetic dentistry services. Dr. Nicholas Goetz and his team are thrilled for the opportunity to provide patients with the most advanced and comprehensive dentistry they deserve.
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**Requested time is not final until you receive confirmation from our office. Please do not submit any Protected Health Information (PHI).
"*" indicates required fields