Is a Chipped Tooth an Emergency?

When it comes to our general health, we are quick to act and search for a medical opinion. But, when we experience any dental pain or discomfort, we tend to try to solve the problem by ourselves with OTC medication or at-home remedies. 

Of course, some dental problems are obvious emergencies, such as in the case of a knocked-out tooth or an abscess that causes debilitating pain. 

But, let's imagine that you chip a tooth while eating some popcorn kernels. Should you call your dentist right away and schedule an emergency visit or should you wait until regular office hours? 

Is a Chipped Tooth a Dental Emergency? 

The truth of the matter is that it depends, so we can't give a simple yes or no answer. There are times when a chipped tooth is an emergency and other times when you can wait until your next appointment.

The best thing you can do is contact your dentist and explain what happened and what your symptoms are. 

Based on your symptoms, the dentist (or even yourself) can determine if the chipped tooth needs urgent care. 

Here's what you should be looking for:

• Pain and Sensitivity

If you have pain and sensitivity that only seems to increase, then that might be a sign that you will need urgent treatment. Pain is usually an indication that something is not right and it needs immediate care.

• Bleeding 

If the chipped tooth starts bleeding, it's another sign that you need emergency dental care. It means that the pulp has been affected and not treating it immediately can make room for bacteria to reach the inner part of the tooth through the crack. 

• Loose Tooth 

If you notice that your tooth is loose, then you should make an emergency appointment with your dentist to get it fixed as soon as possible. If a loose tooth is not treated in time, it can eventually fall and the treatment to fix a missing tooth requires more time and money. 

Treatment for Chipped Tooth

The dentist can use a variety of methods to fix your chipped tooth, depending on the severity of your case. Some treatments can include: 

• Dental bonding
• Dental veneers
• Crowns 
• Enamel reshaping 

Did You Chip a Tooth? Southington Dentistry Is Here to Help You! 

Did you chip a tooth and don't know what you should do next? The team at Southington Dentistry is here to help you and give you the best care for your needs.  

Dr. Neil Salesky has extensive experience with different types of treatment and can help with a variety of issues. 

Whether it's a chipped tooth, a root canal, gum disease, or implant dentistry, you can rest assured that you will get the right treatment at Southington Dentistry. 

Contact us today to schedule your appointment with us.