No one expects to get a chipped tooth, but it often happens to people of all ages. You could break a tooth chewing on ice or hard candy or suffer dental trauma from a hit or fall. Thankfully, a cosmetic dentist can restore your smile and preserve your bite by fixing a chipped tooth. Consult the guide below to learn how.

What Steps Should You Take if You Chip a Tooth?

If you chip or fracture your teeth, it might not seem like a major problem at first. Sometimes, the damage only looks cosmetic. However, it's always a good idea to see a cosmetic dentist immediately because a break in a tooth leaves it vulnerable to infection, which could lead to permanent tooth loss. 

Until your dentist appointment, you can take over-the-counter pain relief like acetaminophen to relieve discomfort. Jagged dental fragments in your mouth could cut your tongue or cheek. However, you can minimize further oral damage by covering the broken tooth with sugarless gum or wax paraffin. Chewing hard foods can worsen the damage, so stick to soft foods and chew on the opposite side of your mouth carefully if necessary.

How Will a Dentist Fix a Chipped Tooth?

Cosmetic dentists have several techniques for restoring smiles with a chipped tooth. Minor damage will benefit from a tooth filling or bonding procedure. During this process, the dentist will use a tooth-colored composite resin filling material and bond it to your damaged tooth. First, the dentist will etch the affected tooth's enamel using an abrasive gel or liquid. Then, they will apply an adhesive and the composite filling. Finally, the dentist will shape the material to match your natural teeth and cure it to harden under UV light.

If the damage is in the front of your mouth, a dentist can cover the affected tooth with a dental veneer. A veneer is a thin porcelain or composite resin shell that covers the front of a tooth. It restores the tooth's natural appearance. 

However, a significant chip that leaves you with a small bit of tooth left in your mouth is more suitable for a dental crown or cap. The dentist may file down the damaged tooth after taking a mold impression of your mouth. A dental lab will use the mold to create a natural-looking crown to cover the damaged tooth like a cap. You may need your chipped tooth filed down to ensure the cap fits. 

Don't settle for a chipped tooth. Turn to the cosmetic dentists at Waterford Dental Health in Connecticut. The doctors of Waterford Dental Health specializes in cosmetic, family, and sedation dentistry. Their team has years of training and experience providing various services, from orthodontics to teeth cleaning. Patients of all ages are welcome in their relaxing and calm dental office, where skilled dentists provide outstanding dental care. Call (860) 447-2235 to request a consultation or visit them online for more details about their comprehensive services.