Chipped A Dental Crown? Here’s What To Do

Modern dental crowns are made of extremely durable and strong porcelain materials. But they can still eventually wear down and break, or be broken by dental trauma like a blow to the face or mouth. So what should you do if you’ve chipped your dental crown in Fairfax? In this blog from Healthy Smiles Dentistry, we’ll look at the steps you should take to protect your crown and your oral health.

1. Assess The Severity Of The Damage

In some cases, you may only have a small chip and minor damage to your crown. If this is the case, you likely won’t feel any pain or discomfort. The damage is mostly superficial, and while you should have your crown repaired soon, it’s not extremely urgent. You likely won’t feel any pain, sensitivity, or discomfort from a small chip.

However, if your crown is severely damaged, broken, or the underlying tooth is exposed, it’s an emergency. Severe crown damage usually causes tooth pain, sensitivity, or even bleeding if the damage is deep and extensive enough. 

2. Give Healthy Smiles Dentistry A Call For An Appointment

Once you’ve assessed your situation, give Healthy Smiles Dentistry a call. If you’re having a severe dental emergency, we’ll schedule an emergency appointment ASAP, often on the same day. That way, you can get the care you need from Dr. Ridhi Shah, eliminate your pain, and reduce the risk of further complications.

However, if you have only a minor cosmetic chip, it may be okay for you to wait a day or two to come in. Our team will give you further instructions once you get in touch. Give us a call for experienced emergency dental care in Fairfax. 

3. Treat Pain, Bleeding, And Discomfort Until It’s Time For Your Appointment

If you’re in pain, we recommend taking over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen to help with your discomfort. You can also use topical pain relievers like Orajel to get relief from your pain. Icing the cheek near your chipped crown may also help with discomfort. If your tooth is bleeding, you can use a cotton ball, gauze, or a clean paper towel to absorb blood. 

If your crown is sharp and is cutting or irritating your tongue, you can also use temporary dental cement, dental adhesive, or dental wax to cover up the chipped area. This product is available at most drugstores. 

4. Get Crown Repair Or A Crown Replacement

Once it’s time for your appointment at Healthy Smiles, come in and visit our team. Dr. Shah can examine your crown and determine your options for repair or replacement. If your crown only has minor damage, he may be able to repair it with dental resin, which is the same material used for tooth-colored fillings and dental bonding.

However, if your crown is severely damaged, it may be necessary to remove it and build a new crown. You may also need a root canal if the underlying tooth structure is damaged or infected. Every patient is different, though, so come into our office ASAP to get a diagnosis and get the help you need.

Get Same-Day Care For Chipped Crowns And More At Healthy Smiles Dentistry

At our office, we’re proud to offer same-day emergency dentistry in Fairfax. Whether you’ve chipped or broken your crown or have any other dental emergency, our team is standing by to help. Contact us to speak to our team and get the expert dental treatment you need in Fairfax.