Chipped teeth are those that have cracks and irregularities in tooth enamel. They carry a significant risk for the teeth in case they are not repaired properly, since, as a result of the weakening of the enamel, the teeth are more susceptible to other types of injuries, such as cavities.
Chipped teeth are often a problem that can harm anyone at various stages of life, regardless of age, social status, or gender. In most cases, they occur as a result of enamel exhaustion. Therefore, they do not cause any significant pain. However, they can become much more than just a cosmetic imperfection. Once the tooth enamel is injured, the damage tends to expand if treatment is not received promptly. In this sense, the sooner you receive treatment, the greater the chances of preventing any dental problems.
Índice
Why Do Teeth Chip?
Chipped teeth have several causes and splinter for various reasons. Among the most frequent are:
- Biting into hard foods, such as ice or candy.
- Falls or accidents involving trauma to the mouth.
- Dental trauma in contact sports with absence of mouth guard.
- Grinding your teeth when you sleep.
However, there are also some risk components such as:
Tooth decay
These lesions in their initial stage emerge due to poor dental hygiene, so it will be enough to extreme oral hygiene. However, when the tooth with caries has a break, much deeper treatments such as a root canal will be required.
Bruxism
The bad habit of clenching the teeth unconsciously creates extra tension in the teeth, which will cause, over time, that the enamel weakens and a crack arises more easily when biting improperly or suffering a blow in the oral cavity.
Age
Age has a strong and relevant role in oral health and can cause chipped teeth. Teeth also age, and as the years go by, teeth wear out making them more prone and sensitive to breaking.
Eating habits
Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet not only provides numerous benefits for general health, but will also help in the strengthening and development of teeth by ingesting vitamins or nutrients.
But, when the daily food intake is somewhat high, the wear of the outer layer of the teeth occurs, leaving its surface exposed due to the acids that contain a diet high in sucrose, spicy or sour foods, causing them to fracture more easily.
Reflux
Heartburn, better known as reflux, tends to be a digestive condition that can cause acid to rise into the mouth and cause damage to tooth enamel that can produce chipped teeth.
Symptoms Of Chipped Teeth
If the injury to the tooth is minor and does not occur in the front of the oral cavity, the person may not realize it. However, otherwise, it can cause:
• Irregular or rough surfaces when the tongue is passed over the affected tooth.
• Irritation of the gum surrounding the tooth.
• Pain in the teeth and gums as a result of the pressure exerted when chewing.
• Increased sensitivity to cold or warm temperatures when eating.
•Fever.
• Bad breath or bitter taste.
• Swollen glands or lymph nodes in areas such as the neck or jaw.
• Appearance of small lines in the enamel.
Treatments For A Chipped Tooth
Treatment of a chipped tooth depends on the condition of the tooth. There are usually multiple treatments that tend to vary depending on the person, dental location, degree of affection, needs or symptoms. These include:
Dental filling
With this treatment, the fragment of the chipped tooth is reconstructed by means of a resin such as composite that is manipulated in a very simple way to imitate the real tone of the damaged tooth.
Dental crowns
With dental crowns, the surface of the affected tooth can be modified, adapting it in an ideal way in size, color and position. This, in addition, will serve as protection for it. This treatment usually lasts approximately eight to ten years. However, the time may vary and will be emphasized depending on the aftercare that each person performs.
Dental veneers
Dental veneers are thin sheets of porcelain that adhere to the outer surface of the tooth. Among its many advantages it has the duration and aesthetics of the treatment. This type of treatment has the possibility of lasting approximately up to 20 years. However, it will also depend on habits or aftercare.
Dental inlays
When the lesion only affects a section of the tooth, aesthetic dental inlays may be recommended, which, mainly, are usually applied to the surface of the molars.
An impression will need to be made for the creation of the dental mold, and subsequently proceed with the inlay. Once they are held, they are fitted to the tooth and then cemented. Dental inlays reconstruct the original anatomy, color, and brightness of the tooth accurately. This allows to take great care of the aesthetics of the tooth.
Make An Appointment Without Obligation
In the Dental Clinic in Madrid, Ruiz de Gopegui we have a highly qualified team of professionals specialized in dental aesthetics.
Each of them will be responsible for indicating those treatments, methods and / or techniques to follow depending on your situation, degree of condition, needs and tastes in your oral health.
If you want to know in greater depth each of the treatments that you must undergo to improve the appearance of your chipped teeth once and for all, do not hesitate to request an appointment with our professionals.
The first consultation is completely free and will allow us to perform diagnostic tests and a treatment plan adjusted to restore your health and dental aesthetics.