chipped tooth

[SKA]

a bit of one of my front teeth just got chipped off I'm not really sure how it happened I think I bit down on a fork too hard, now there's a bit missing and I feel a crack in it above the chip. If I go to the dentist what can they do?

[jen78]

It happened to my mum and they fixed so you'd never know she chipped in in the first place, I was so impresed when i saw it!

Not sure with the crack though, probably best to get to a dentist asap and be careful until then.

[SKA]

Grr I suppose so but I need to get my dentist form thingy filled in!! So annoying!!

[saxy_jag]

Your dentist form thingy? Registration, or just the initial health forms?

Whatever, dentists can do amazing things these days.

[SKA]

I'm a student so have to send off a form so the NHS will pay for me but I dunno where it's gone!!

[saxy_jag]

Your dentist's receptionist should be able to help you with the appropriate forms. Phone and ask - you'd be surprised.

[SKA]

Think I'm going to have to go in on Monday and talk to them - oh no I feel sick at the thought of it I havent been to the dentist in like over 9 years or something mad like that!!

[Scarlett]

This happened to me when I was about 10 and the dentist filed down the tooth. One corner of my front tooth is still slightly slanty as a result. I hope they are more sophisticated these days!

[Ice.Maiden]

Jen's right, SKA. They can fill the chipped bit so that you won't ever know it'd been there. Best thing though, is to get the tooth capped. It'd last a lot longer - and you shouldn't feel a thing.

[J9PUR]

Your dentist would have a number of options available which would include:
a) cosmetic recontouring ('filing down' if you like)
b) composite resin restoration
c) composite veneer
d) porcelain veneer
e) porcelain crown

The choice of restoration would depend upon a number of factors including:
a) size of fractured portion
b) presence of caries (decay)
c) whether the pulp of the tooth was involved
d) condition and restorative state of adjacent teeth

Your dentist would normally prefer a 'conservative' restoration, if possible, so as to preserve as much remaining healthy tooth as possible.

If the tooth has simply 'chipped' as you say, with no caries and no pulpal involvement, then either cosmetic recontouring or a direct composite resin repair would usually be the most appropriate option. Both of these options can often be carried out without any local anaesthetic or discomfort. As was suggested earlier, a visit to your dentist would be the best way forward as it is not possible to make an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan without having made a full clinical examination.