Is a Chipped Tooth an Emergency?

Whenever you suffer any damage to your tooth it can feel like a dental emergency. But, there is a difference between “dental emergencies” and cases where you’d be better off seeing a dentist sooner rather than later.

A chipped tooth can sound scary, but it’s actually not always a dental emergency. It greatly depends on the severity of the chip and whether it threatens the health of the overall tooth.

In this short blog post, you can learn how to tell if a chipped tooth is an emergency or not.

How to Analyze the Chipped Tooth

If you notice your tooth chips, the first thing you need to do is look at it to assess the extent of the damage. What you see will essentially tell you if you need Redondo Beach emergency dentistry services or not.

Unusually, chipped teeth can be put into one of three categories:

White Tooth Structure

Most chipped teeth involve breaking a tiny piece of the tooth’s natural enamel. If you look at your tooth and it doesn’t appear to be discolored in any way (meaning there are no dark areas on it), then you’re likely dealing with a simple chipped tooth.

This type of chipped tooth is not an emergency and usually doesn’t cause any other symptoms such as pain and swelling. The worst it can usually do is create a cosmetic imperfection, which Dr. Anthony Nguyen can help fix during a regular appointment.

Two-Colored Tooth Structure

If the chipped tooth looks white but has some dark brown or yellow spots, then you have a more severe case of chipping.

These extra colors show that the dentin has been fractured, which is the layer of tooth residing beneath the enamel. With a fractured dentin, you could be experiencing some sensitivity to temperature changes, and even pain when chewing. Normally, this isn’t necessarily a dental emergency, but it’s advised to see Dr. Anthony Nguyen as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

Tooth Fracture

A chip could mask another serious dental damage, known as a tooth fracture. If you inspect the tooth and notice a harsh line that separates the tooth in two, then you’re most likely dealing with a fracture.

These cases can be painful, and you will not be able to apply any pressure on the tooth. Most tooth fractures cause the tooth to loosen, putting you at risk for permanent tooth loss. Fractures are common types of dental emergencies that need immediate attention.

Dealing with a Dental Emergency? We Can Help

If you are dealing with a dental emergency, Dr. Anthony Nguyen is here to help restore your oral health, no matter when the dental damage occurs.

We encourage you to call us at (424) 400-5288 right away for emergency dental health services.

For a regular appointment, feel free to book your visit at ARTSCI dental online.