Fix Chipped Teeth in Philadelphia PA

If you’ve ever broken a tooth, you know it’s not a good feeling. Tooth enamel is strong, but it can still break. If you have a broken or chipped tooth, we can fix it. You want to treat a chipped tooth before you damage it further. Dr. Conover can fix chipped teeth in Philadelphia, PA, as part of his treatments for common dental concerns.

Chipped Teeth in Philadelphia PA

What Causes Chipped Teeth?

Chipped teeth can happen to people of all ages, and there are many reasons why it might happen. One of the most common causes is biting down on something hard. Foods like ice, popcorn kernels, or hard candy can put too much pressure on your teeth. If your tooth isn’t strong enough, it can crack or chip.

Accidents and injuries are another big reason teeth chip. You might fall, bump into something, or get hit in the mouth while playing sports. These kinds of impacts can easily cause a tooth to chip or break. That’s why it’s a good idea to wear a mouthguard if you play sports or take part in activities where your mouth could get hurt.

Teeth that are already weak are more likely to chip. If you grind your teeth at night, have large fillings, or have tooth decay that hasn’t been treated, your teeth may be more fragile. Over time, damage like this can make it easier for a tooth to chip.

Some everyday habits can also lead to chipped teeth. Using your teeth to open things like plastic packaging or biting on pens and pencils can slowly wear your teeth down and make chips more likely. Avoiding these habits helps keep your teeth strong and healthy.

Solutions for Chipped Teeth

We offer a wide variety of solutions to repair a chipped tooth. The first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Conover. He will recommend the best option for your needs. If the damage is minor and not severe, he can likely repair it in a single visit.

If the chipped tooth is severe and broken, treatment will likely be costly and require more than one visit. Solutions for chipped teeth or cracked teeth include:

Dental Filling

Dr. Conover offers white fillings for virtually undetectable restoration. If you have only chipped off a small amount of tooth enamel, this will likely be the treatment used to repair the damage.

Tooth-colored fillings are a quick and simple way to restore your tooth. In most cases, Dr. Conover can complete this treatment in just one office visit. First, he will clean the area and gently prepare the tooth. Then, he will apply the filling material, shape it to match your tooth, and harden it with a special light. Once it’s polished, your tooth will look and feel just like it did before.

Tooth Bonding

If the damage is to the front teeth or seen when you smile, we will likely use tooth bonding to repair it. The bonding treatment uses tooth-colored resin material that provides a cost-effective, natural-looking restoration in a single visit.

Porcelain Dental Crowns

A dental crown consists of fine layers of ceramic material that wrap around the tooth to improve strength and protect the tooth from further damage. We use this treatment when a large portion of the tooth has chipped off. Not only do porcelain crowns add strength and protection, but they also look identical to natural teeth. Using a crown to repair a chipped or cracked tooth will require at least two visits to our Philadelphia dentist office.

Porcelain Dental Veneers

If one of your front teeth is chipped, we may recommend a tooth veneer to make it look whole and natural again. A dental veneer is a thin, ceramic shell applied to the front and sides of a tooth to restore strength and beauty. Our office uses porcelain to make the veneer look just like your original tooth. This process will require about two visits to our dentist’s office.

Root Canal

Sometimes, a chipped or cracked tooth exposes the inner portion of the tooth, called the pulp, which contains blood vessels and nerves. The crack allows bacteria from your mouth to enter and infect the pulp. Often, if the pulp is infected and inflamed, the tooth will hurt, change color, and be extremely sensitive. At other times, a patient may have an infection detected in an X-ray but experience no obvious symptoms.

If this is the case, a root canal may be necessary to repair and save the tooth. After we seal the tooth, we place a ceramic crown over it to protect it.

Is a chipped tooth a dental emergency?

A chipped tooth isn’t always a dental emergency, but in some cases, it can be serious. If you have a small chip and it doesn’t hurt, you may not need to see the dentist right away. It’s usually okay to wait a day or two, but you should still make an appointment in our office. Dr. Conover can check chipped teeth in his Philadelphia, PA office and make sure there’s no hidden damage.

But if the chip is large, causes pain, or makes your tooth bleed, you should get help as soon as possible. A big chip can expose the inside of your tooth, which makes it easier for bacteria to get in. This can lead to more damage, pain, or even an infection if it’s not treated quickly.

Even if the chip seems minor, call Dr. Conover and explain what happened. He can let you know if it’s safe to wait or if you need to come in right away. Getting the right care early can help protect your tooth and prevent bigger problems later.

Schedule a Consultation

Did you just injure your mouth? You can treat chipped teeth in Philadelphia, PA, by calling (215) 395-6076. You can also request an appointment with Dr. Conover online. Let us know if you have questions about treatment. Dr. Conover is here to help.