Chipped Teeth Los Angeles

Teeth can become chipped by hard foods, accidents or physical assault, resulting in pain as well as cosmetic damage. When this happens, patients should contact our Los Angeles chipped teeth treatment expert as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Caught early, chipped teeth can often be repaired to maintain a normal appearance and avoid the need for extraction.

Why Call Our Emergency Dentist?

When teeth are chipped, an examination is necessary to determine the extent of the damage and identify solutions. If the chip is mild, our expert in chipped teeth in Los Angeles may recommend optional cosmetic repairs. However, severe damage may call for more extensive treatment designed to preserve structure and strength or prevent extraction. In some cases, untreated chipped teeth can develop potentially life-threatening infections.

What to Do in the Meantime

The time between tooth damage and an appointment with our Los Angeles chipped teeth treatment expert is critical for supporting an optimal prognosis. When a chip creates sharp edges on a tooth, patients should cover the area with a piece of sugarless gum to protect it until their appointment. Only soft foods should be eaten in the meantime to prevent additional damage. If pain is present, patients can use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Potential Treatment Options

Our dentist may recommend any of several possible treatments for chipped teeth depending on the sizes of chips and the severity of symptoms. For cosmetic damage, bonding or veneers may be used to restore the appearance of the teeth. More severe damage may require fillings or crowns. When damage affects the tooth pulp, a root canal may be recommended to allow the patient to keep the tooth.

Patients who experience lasting pain after chipping a tooth should immediately contact our expert in chipped teeth in Los Angeles for an appointment. By doing so, patients can eliminate their pain more quickly and improve their chances of keeping the tooth. In the meantime, patients should take the above steps to protect their chipped tooth. For more information about chipped tooth treatments, patients can contact our Los Angeles emergency dentist to schedule an appointment.