How Long Does It Take to Fix a Chipped Tooth?

If you chipped your tooth, you may be wondering: ‘How long does it take to repair a chipped tooth?”

In many cases, it doesn’t take long at all to fix a chipped tooth. However, chipped tooth repair time depends on the nature or degree of the chip and whether there is any infection or root damage.

We can often fix a minor chip during a single clinic visit, depending on the restoration requirements and extent of the chip. Your dentist will evaluate your tooth to let you know what to expect and the best options for your repair. An evaluation also answers the question, ‘How long does it take to fix a chipped tooth.

What to Do If You Chip Your Tooth

A chipped or compromised tooth may put you at risk for enamel erosion or even a deep tooth infection. Over time, the chip can even worsen and fracture.

If you chip your tooth, contacting your dentist in Northern Beaches is crucial. In the meantime, follow the instructions below.

• Rinse Your Mouth: We recommend using a saltwater solution to help keep the area free from bacteria, thereby reducing your risk for infection.
• Apply a Cold Compress: If you notice swelling or experience any pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever if medically able and apply an ice pack periodically to minimise swelling.
• Consider Dental Wax: Dental wax or sugar-free chewing gum can temporarily close the chip to prevent infection.
• Chew on the Other Side: Chewing on a chipped or compromised tooth can cause it to split or even fracture. You can also stick to soft foods as you await your dental appointment in Narrabeen.

* If you’ve experienced trauma outside the mouth, it’s important to visit your nearest emergency room. You can contact us after you’ve been declared safe or stable.

Why It’s Important to Treat a Chipped Tooth

Dental treatment for a chipped tooth helps prevent further breakage, infection, decay, and tooth loss.

Signs of a deep tooth infection include:

• A severe or increasing toothache
• Gum or face swelling
• A blister or bump on the gum

In some cases, if the tooth nerve is damaged, the pain may be minor or non-existent. So, it’s important to watch for signs of deep tooth or root canal infection.

Remember, restorative dentistry is about more than aesthetics, so even a tooth located at the back of the mouth should still be evaluated for repair.

Dental Treatment for a Chipped Tooth: Chipped Tooth Repair Options in Narrabeen

Dental treatment for a chipped tooth or chipped tooth repair options may include:

• Dental Crown Treatment
• Dental Veneers
• Dental Bonding

In severe cases, or if the chip is left too long, restoration options may include cavity treatment, root canal therapy, tooth extraction and tooth replacement.

Your dentist will explore our chipped tooth repair options with you to help you make an informed choice for your goals and lifestyle.

How Long Does It Take to Fix a Chipped Tooth?

Chipped tooth repair time varies depending on the nature of the chip, the extent of the damage and whether there is any infection.

To better answer the question, ‘how long does it take to repair a chipped tooth’, your dentist will have you come in for an evaluation.

• Dental Crowns: These common tooth covers may take a week or longer to fabricate, but your Narrabeen dentist can fit you with a temporary crown while you wait.
• Dental Veneers: Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain or applied composite that can conceal minor cosmetic chips. It can take two or more visits to complete porcelain veneers, but we can sometimes apply composite veneers during a single clinic visit.
• Dental Bonding: In many cases, we can repair a chipped or cracked tooth in a single clinic visit. Dental bonding is a non-invasive technique that uses dental bonding (tooth-coloured filling material).

Remember, chipped tooth repair time varies by patient, but your dentist can let you know what to expect after an evaluation.

When You Need Root Canal Treatment

Allowing tooth chips and damage to go unchecked can lead to tooth infections requiring root canal treatment in NSW.

A root canal treatment involves numbing the painful tooth, removing the infection, and temporarily sealing it with a filling material. At a later booking, we stabilise the tooth to help prevent future fractures. In most cases, this means capping the tooth with a custom dental crown.

Signs of a deep tooth infection typically include tooth pain and swelling.

When Your Tooth Can’t Be Saved

Sometimes a chipped tooth (when left untreated) can fracture or split in the future. Of course, your Narrabeen dentist will try to save it, but if it requires extraction due to deep decay or fracturing, it’s important to consider tooth replacement options, such as a dental bridge or dental implant.

Keeping your smile intact with tooth replacement is vital to your long-term oral health. Tooth loss without replacement can lead to tooth migration, bite issues, tooth wear and more.

Protecting Your Teeth from Chips and Damage

There are steps you can take to protect your teeth from chips and fractures. For example:

• Avoid biting on ink pens, ice cubes and similar items.
• Wear a mouthguard if you play sports.
• Wear a nightguard if you grind and clench your teeth (bruxism).
• Report oral health issues to your dentist, including tooth sensitivity, dark spots on teeth or other changes.

Contacting Your Dentist in Northern Beaches

Are you wondering: How long does it take to repair a chipped tooth? Are you concerned about pain or swelling? We want to help.

To learn more or book a consultation with the dentist, we welcome you to call us today on 02 8076 0362. You can also arrange an appointment online.

(It’s important to remember that a small chip may not be a dental emergency, but any tooth damage that causes pain or swelling becomes a dental emergency and should be treated as soon as possible).

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