Chipped Tooth

• For serious injuries, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
• Ensure you treat any other injuries related to the chip. If the injury was due to trauma, first ensure there is no injury that requires other medical attention. Teeth where there is dental decay or where previous dental work was done are more likely to chip and break. A chipped tooth may be more likely to occur on a tooth where dental work previously was done, or where there is dental decay.
• If there is bleeding, use gauze to stop the flow. Rinsing your mouth with warm water or warm saltwater can gently clean the area. If you are experiencing pain in the area, take over-the-counter medication to reduce swelling and relieve pain until you see your dentist.
• Recover any loose tooth fragments. If there are pieces able to be recovered, place these in water and bring them to the dentist. Dr. Silvaroli may use the fragments to repair the tooth, or can use as a reference for shape and color while restoring your smile.
• Lastly, contact Silvaroli Dental. As an emergency dentist, we will promptly address your injury and advise you on how to proceed with treatment.

There are a few types of chips and breaks that can occur. These are the most common:

• Crown Fracture – This occurs on the part of the tooth above the gum line. There may be a fracture present or a piece of the tooth may chip off entirely.
• Root Fracture – This occurs when the tooth is broken below the gum line. The tooth may be dislodged or removed entirely. These cases often require the fragments below the gum line to be removed in addition to surface repairs.
• Loose or moved teeth – This is the most severe type of fracture, occurring where the tooth sits inside the jaw bone. This is most common in severe trauma cases – a dentist will be able to diagnose this accurately with an Xray.

If you have a chipped tooth, do not hesitate to call our office.