Chipped a Dental Crown? Here's What to Do

If you have a chipped crown, the best thing to do is to call your dentist as soon as possible for advice. When dental crowns chip or crack, they leave your tooth exposed to harmful bacteria. Your dentist can recommend a treatment option suitable for your situation to help avoid further damage to your teeth.

Depending on the extent of the damage, your crown may need to be repaired or replaced. That said, here is what to do if you have chipped your crown. Let’s first understand what a dental crown is.

What Is a Dental Crown?

This is a tooth-shaped, permanent cap that covers a damaged or weak tooth to restore its shape, strength, appearance, and size. The cap covers the entire visible part of a tooth above the gum line. Dental crowns can be used to cover a discolored tooth, prevent a weak tooth from cracking, restore an already cracked tooth, and attach a bridge.

What Causes A Crown To Chip?

Although dental crowns are designed to last long, they are not indestructible. A crown can chip due to a variety of reasons, including teeth trauma, a bite that is too hard, age, wear and tear, or a defect in the material of the crown.

Dental crowns can suffer different forms of damage, such as chips, cracks, or fractures. It is vital to watch out to identify these issues early on.

What Should I Do If My Dental Crown Chips?

Here are a few things to do if you notice a chip or crack on your crown:

• Rinse your mouth with warm: Rinsing your mouth with warm water after you chip a crown can help you remove debris, food particles, or chipped pieces from your mouth. Then run your finger over the crown to check the extent of the damage. If the edges are blunt, it means the damage isn’t severe, but deep sharp edges are a sign of more serious damage to your crown and tooth.
• Take pain medication: If the chip is causing much pain and discomfort, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage the pain.
• Contact your dentist: The best way to address a chipped crown is to contact your dentist in Hendersonville for advice. The dentist will evaluate the chip to determine the best course of action. Depending on the severity of the chip, you may need an emergency dental visit or come into our office in the next few days for an appointment.

Contact Drakes Creek Dental Today

Ready to schedule an appointment with Dr. Corey Truman? Contact us at (615) 447-8585 to get started and learn more about our restorative dentistry treatments in Hendersonville, TN. Dr. Truman will evaluate your chipped crown and recommend the best treatment option.