Chipped tooth – Always let a dentist see a chipped tooth
Lost a piece of tooth or old filling came loose? Sometimes, prompt oral care and help are needed, but a small and painless tooth crack does not require urgent treatment. However, always make an appointment with your dentist.
Chipped tooth in a nutshell
- Always take care of a chipped tooth at the dentist.
- A small and painless tooth crack does not require urgent treatment.
- If the chipped tooth is painful, large or accidentally chipped, see a dentist quickly.
Make an appointment with your dentist whenever a piece of your tooth comes loose or cracks completely.
Book an appointment for a dental check-upMy tooth chipped – what should I do?
A chipped tooth means that a piece of a tooth or a filling has come loose. A filling may also come off completely and the tooth may split in half.
Chipping a tooth can feel scary and confusing. Sometimes, the quick help of a dentist is needed, but a chipped tooth does not always require immediate treatment. However, a dentist should always see even a small crack in a tooth.
See a dentist as soon as possible if:
- You accidentally chipped your front tooth
- A tooth that has had a root canal treatment is chipped
- A tooth was completely chipped up to the gum line
- A large chunk of the tooth is chipped and the tooth hurts
It is sufficient to book an appointment for a few days from now if:
- A small piece of a tooth is chipped, no pain
- An old filling is chipped or completely loose, and the tooth is not sensitive
Chipped tooth – symptoms vary
When a tooth is chipped, you may not feel pain. However, the sharp edge of a chipped tooth can cause unpleasant irritation to your tongue or the lining of your mouth.
If your tooth chips deeper than the surface, it may hurt and ache. The tooth may also be sensitive to cold or heat and make it difficult to eat.
Chipped tooth – treatment by a dentist
Make an appointment with your dentist whenever a piece of your tooth comes loose or cracks completely.
Sometimes, treating a chipped tooth means just a matter of grinding and filing the tooth. Other times, a more extensive procedure is needed:
- Tooth monitoring is sufficient if only a small piece of your tooth has broken off and it doesn't cause pain or rub against your tongue. The dentist will record the chipped tooth in your medical records.
- Tooth filing is appropriate if the sharp edge of the chipped tooth is irritating the mucous membranes in your mouth.
- Filling a tooth is an easy and quick procedure if your tooth is chipped deeper than the surface, or next to an old filling, or if the filling has come loose. The old filling can be replaced with a more durable porcelain filling or a dental crown.
- Root canal treatment will heal your chipped tooth when its core is inflamed.
- Tooth extraction is the only option when your damaged tooth cannot be repaired. In place of the removed tooth, you will get a dental implant that is suitable for you and that fits perfectly into your dental structure.
There is no need to be nervous about any procedure, as you will receive an effective anesthetic and we will ask you how you are feeling during treatment.
Book an appointment for a dental check-upWhy does a tooth chip?
When your tooth cracks or a piece of the tooth falls out, it can be caused by:
- Accident. An intact tooth will usually only chip as a result of an accident, such as if you get hit hard while doing sports. In that case, the front teeth are particularly vulnerable.
- Dental cavities. Your tooth can become chipped due to decay. A cavity that starts between the teeth can do its damage unnoticed, softening the tooth's interior so that, eventually, a piece of the tooth cracks or the tooth splits in two.
- An old filling. Tooth fillings are not forever - sooner or later, every tooth that is patched will chip, or the filling will come loose. Usually, a plastic filling lasts for 10 years or so. Porcelain fillings and crowns last the longest.
- Root canal treatment. If your tooth has been root canaled, it is more prone to chipping. A tooth that has been brittle from root canal treatment is also more likely to decay. The tooth can be crowned to improve durability.
- Tooth grinding or bruxism. Strong grinding can damage your tooth and eventually split it.
Chipped tooth – no surprises in prices
When your tooth chips, book an appointment with a Hammas Mehiläinen.
The cost of repairing a chipped tooth depends on your situation. If your chipped tooth requires grinding, filling or major procedures, we'll plan the treatment with you. We will always give you an estimate of the cost of the treatment in advance, so you won't be surprised by the price.
Browse the price list of Hammas Mehiläinen.
The flexible payment options of Hammas Mehiläinen will protect you when you have a chipped tooth.
Roman Rajala, our dentist in charge, was interviewed for this article.
Frequently asked questions about chipped teeth
Visit a dentist if you have a chipped tooth.
If you have a small piece of tooth come loose and there is no pain associated with the chipped tooth, it's enough to see your dentist within a few days.
If the chip is deep, painful or accidental, see a dentist immediately. A root-canaled tooth also needs prompt treatment.
If you can't get to the dentist for a few days and the sharp edge of the chipped tooth is chafing badly, you can put temporary protection on it with an over-the-counter filling material.
You can treat the pain with painkillers.
A filling is not always necessary. If the chipped tooth is small and painless, you may not need to do anything.
If the crack extends deeper than the tooth surface, it will need to be repaired - under anaesthetic, of course.
Even a deep cavity can often be repaired, but tooth extraction is sometimes the only option.
Fortunately, it's usually a simple procedure, and you can get a dental implant that blends in perfectly with your dental structure to replace the removed tooth.However, quality implant treatment requires an assessment of your overall oral situation.