Even if it seems like a small amount of harm when it occurs, the act of chipping your tooth can have real consequences for your oral health. When we experience damage that hurts our tooth enamel, we become vulnerable to more harm, and our risk for developing an infection can increase. Because enamel is incapable of healing from the kind of damage that changes a tooth’s shape or size, those vulnerabilities can remain until the appropriate restorative dental work is provided. At our Katy, TX dentist’s office, we are prepared to help if you chip your tooth. Because we offer emergency dental procedures, we can warn you of possible complications and recommend prompt care. If the damage proves to only be a superficial concern, we can recommend cosmetic dental treatment to help you regain confidence in the way you look.
How Worried Should I Really Be About A Chipped Tooth?
Any injury to your smile that affects your tooth structure should be taken seriously. Assuming that your tooth will stay in good condition can lead to trouble later, as continued pressure from biting and chewing can weaken it further and cause more permanent damage to your enamel. If you are in pain after your injury, or if your tooth feels too sensitive for you to comfortably bite and chew, you should make treatment a priority. An emergency appointment can be scheduled so that you can come in, receive an evaluation, and learn what your options are for treatment.
Arranging An Emergency Dental Visit
At your emergency dental appointment, your dentist will closely examine your tooth to see just how much harm it has experienced. Depending on the damage, we can recommend either moving forward with restorative treatment or covering visible damage with a cosmetic dental procedure. Cosmetic work is more conservative, meaning your tooth will preserve more of its natural structure in the process of treatment. However, with restorative treatment, we can make sure the tooth is healthy and make sure you have no difficulties biting and chewing.
A Damaged Restoration Is Also Something You Should Discuss With Your Dentist
A chipped tooth should be taken seriously, and so should damage to a dental filling or dental crown. A restoration is supposed to provide permanent protection. If the damage is not addressed, your broken restoration can make your tooth vulnerable to physical harm and infection. We can provide a replacement that preserves both the health and appearance of a tooth.
Talk To Your Katy, TX Dentist About Treating Your Chipped Tooth
Lathrop Dental Center is prepared to help you take care of your smile and oral health after chipping your tooth. To find out more about our practice, and the services that we offer to patients, please call our dentist’s office in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849!