The American Association of Endodontists notes that chipped and fractured tooth enamel is one of the most common forms of oral trauma. This is often the result of an athletic injury, bruxism complications, or a bad habit like crunching on ice.
If one of your teeth has been chipped or fractured in any way, you should not delay in having it examined by a dentist like Dr. Stephen Babin. Without professional treatment, the compromised area of tooth enamel could start to gradually trap food particles and bacterial matter.
In time a new area of tooth decay could develop in the already compromised tooth. This could allow the bacterial presence to quickly infiltrate the pulp or root of the tooth requiring more invasive dental treatment.
If the chip is small and the damage is limited to the tooth enamel layer Dr. Babin might be able to repair it with a basic composite resin dental filling. This is a special type of dental material that can be shaded to perfectly match the surrounding tooth enamel.
If the structural integrity of the tooth has been compromised or the biting surface has been traumatized Dr. Babin might recommend restoring it with a dental crown. This will fully replace the tooth’s enamel layer with a special dental grade material.
If you live in the Metairie, Louisiana, area, and you have recently suffered a chipped tooth, you should call 504-887-2428 to seek timely treatment with the dental specialists at Stephen Babin DDS.