Will My Chipped Tooth Heal?

At least initially, you might not think your chipped tooth in Beachwood needs a dentist. After all, won’t it just recover on its own? If even broken bones can heal, why not a chip in your pearly white? Well, the truth is that your body can’t repair chipped teeth; only professional treatment can. Read on to learn why your chipped tooth isn’t going to fix itself and why you should see a dentist for it.

Why a Chipped Tooth Won’t Heal

Unfortunately, teeth aren’t structured to heal from most chips or fractures. Unlike your bones, which have blood vessels that allow them to repair themselves, enamel doesn’t have a blood supply. As a result, moderate chips can’t heal once they occur. They’ll stick around forever unless you get dental care.

The only possible exception is if the damage is very mild. For example, a crack at the outer level may undergo remineralization. This process rebuilds a damaged tooth’s enamel such that it’s strong and protective again. If the break goes deeper, though, there won’t be any self-repair.

Why to See Your Dentist for It

Since your tooth isn’t going to heal from its chipping, you’ll want to see a dentist for treatment. The three most significant reasons why are:

To Relieve Short-Term Symptoms

Your chipped tooth is probably experiencing some unpleasant symptoms, especially if your injury is fresh. These include minor to moderate discomfort, swelling, and sensitivity, along with a noticeable change in the tooth’s functionality. If the chip is deep, you may even feel intense pain.

To Prevent Long-Term Complications

All instances of a chipped tooth require treatment. Severe ones, though, will need emergency dental care to prevent complications.

Left untreated, a severe chip that affects the root of your tooth can cause an infection. When that happens, root canal therapy or dental extraction is the only way to fix your problem.

To Restore Your Tooth’s Appearance

Your chipped tooth in Beachwood will be noticeable to the people around you. That, in turn, could cause insecurity and a dip in your self-confidence.

Luckily, a dentist can restore the chipped area to its original look. Using dental bonding, a porcelain veneer, or a dental crown, they can hide the fracture or chip and help your smile look its best again.

Even if chipped teeth don’t heal, they can still be good as new with proper treatment. As such, talk to your local dentist soon about possible procedures.

About the Practice

Orange Place Family Dentistry is based in Beachwood, OH. Its staff believes that patients should be treated like members of a family. That said, they provide customized preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, not to mention emergency dental services. They also offer orthodontics through fully-personalized clear aligners. Whatever your dental issue, the practice will give you quality results. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach them at their website or by phone at (216)-464-2448.