Chipped Teeth

Encinitas, Carlsbad, and San Diego

Chipped teeth can be painful and unsightly, and chips can lead to tooth decay. Fortunately, chips can be easily and beautifully repaired. How you choose to address chipped teeth will depend on your overall cosmetic dentistry goals. Dr. Walsh-Cole can guide you through this decision.

 

What causes chips?

 

The most obvious cause of chipped teeth is an accident or trauma. However, sometimes teeth become chipped for other reasons such as bad habits like chewing on ice or biting your nails. A chipped tooth could also be a symptom of Neuromuscular dentistry .

 

Other causes might be:

• A direct blow to your teeth
• Tooth grinding
• A tongue ring
• Preexisting fractures of which you were unaware

 

Why even small chips matter

 

A very small chip may not be visible or sensitive at first, but it should not be ignored. Any chip leaves your tooth unprotected and susceptible to further damage. Over time, the chip can become stained and discolored. Worse, it can lead to tooth decay and deeper damage inside of your tooth. For many patients, sensitivity comes on suddenly creating a dental emergency. If you take care of a chipped tooth right away, you can preserve the remaining healthy tooth structure.

 

Solutions for chipped teeth

 

A chipped tooth can be covered and the missing area restored with porcelain veneers or dental bonding. If tooth chipping is a recurring problem for you, you may have neuromuscular problems which can lead to TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder). If you have this neuromuscular dental disorder, chances are you are suffering from other TMD symptoms. Dr. Walsh-Cole is an LVI trained neuromuscular dentist and can diagnose and treat TMD, stopping tooth damage and relieving other painful and damaging effects.

 

If you have chipped teeth, do not wait until the damage is worse. Please, contact us today to schedule your consultation. Dr. Walsh-Cole can repair chipped teeth and may solve any underlying dental problems.