How to Fix Your Chipped or Broken Tooth?

It is normal for people to experience chipped or broken teeth. You may lose your tooth while playing your favorite sport or when biting an almond or a chunk of ice. Your dentist may need to perform restorative procedures if you have intense pain, cavities, and cracks visible during x-rays.

Note that not all dental emergencies require immediate attention. But if the damage is irreparable and needs a quick fix, here is how you can address the pain and avoid any serious infection.

Ways to fix broken or chipped tooth at home until you see your dentist:

• Rinse your mouth with warm water
• If bleeding, apply pressure to the area
• Using a cold compress on the area to reduce swelling
• If possible, try to place your fallen tooth back in the socket with a gauze pad
• Rinse your broken tooth with clean water, don’t clean off any tissue bits
• Place your broken tooth in a glass of saline solution, milk, or water
• For pain relief, take over-the-counter medicines
• Apply clove oil to the affected area
• Eat softer food and do not bite with your damaged tooth

Broken or chipped tooth repair methods

• Filling or bonding

  Cosmetic contouring is done when in case of minor damage. The dentist polishes the surface or smoothes a broken tooth edge. But if your tooth enamel is chipped away, your dentist will apply a dental filling and repair it. In bonding, Our West Des Moines dentist will scrape the surface of your tooth and apply a conditioning liquid, followed by an adhesive substance, and lastly, apply tooth-colored composite resin.

• Root Canal and dental crown

  In case of tooth loss, your dentist will cap it with a crown to protect the tooth from further damage and to preserve its function. If your tooth pulp is exposed, there is a high chance of pulp infection. Your dentist, in this case, will remove the dead pulp with a root canal and later cap the tooth with a crown.

• Dental veneers

  Your front chipped tooth can look healthy and flawless by applying a dental veneer. Specially created and customized as per your needs, veneers are applied with special cement over the surface of your existing tooth.

• Surgery

  Molars contain more than one root. If one root is fractured, a root amputation or a hemisection is done to save the remaining tooth. The tooth will need a root canal and crown procedure.

• Extraction

  Deeper the crack, more are the chances of tooth extraction. A root canal is sometimes not enough to save your tooth. Thus, tooth extraction might be the last resort for your dentist.

How much does fixing a chipped tooth cost?

Chipped tooth repair costs vary according to the severity of the issue. A dental bonding procedure costs a few hundred dollars while a root canal and a crown procedure cost a few thousand.

Most of your dental repair costs are covered under your dental insurance. However, cosmetic dental procedures are not covered by many insurers.

Estimated costs for fixing a chipped tooth:

• Fillings can cost about $100 - $500
• A root canal and crown can cost between $2,500–$3,000
• Veneers can cost between $925 and $2,500 per tooth
• Tooth implant costs range between $3,000–$5,000

If you have a knocked-out tooth, excessive pain, or bleeding, do see your dentist in West Des Moines and get expert care.

Related article: Cracked Tooth Syndrome: Causes, Early Detection, and Treatment