What to Do About a Chipped Tooth in Salem, OR
See a dentist today to fix your chipped tooth or cracked tooth.
What does it mean if your teeth start chipping?
Chipped teeth might be caused by:
- Cavities – Tooth decay that damages the structure of your tooth
- Bruxism – Tooth grinding (often at night) can wear down and chip teeth over time
- Mineral deficiency – Lack of calcium or other minerals can weaken teeth
- Accidental damage – Biting down too hard or using your teeth to cut fishing line can cause cracks and chips in your teeth
- Erosion and abfraction- Teeth have been damaged by chronic acid reflex and malfunction
What happens if you don’t fix a chipped tooth?
Chips and cracks never go away on their own. A chipped tooth is a damaged tooth. Sometimes the damage is insignificant and unlikely to cause problems anytime soon. Sometimes, however, the chip is a sign of a serious problem that might require a filling, root canal, or other treatment right away.
Schedule an appointment with your dentist if you notice any of these issues:
- Teeth with sharp edges
- Teeth that are missing pieces
- Painful toothaches
- Vertical lines (cracks) on your teeth
- Teeth that look or feel worn/uneven
- Painful headaches/jaw aches, often a sign of tooth grinding
Can I get an appointment today to fix my chipped tooth?
Yes! At Healthy Smiles Family Dental, we offer same-day emergency dental services at our Salem dentist office to examine and repair chipped and cracked teeth. Be aware that sometimes treatment isn’t needed immediately. Our goal is to provide a quick examination and assessment of your chipped tooth and then recommend the best possible treatment.
Can a cracked tooth be saved?
Teeth with cracks or chips can often be saved. But if the damage extends into the pulp of the tooth, a root canal may be needed. If the chip/crack is very big, the tooth might need to be extracted. But there are many minimally invasive and effective methods for fixing chipped and cracked teeth.
How to fix a chipped tooth?
A cracked or chipped tooth can be strengthened with a filling or bonding treatment. In some cases, if the chip is severe, a root canal or even an extraction may be required to prevent further damage to your health. Crowns and veneers can also be an excellent way to “cover up” and protect chipped and cracked teeth from future damage.
Does a cracked tooth or a chipped tooth always hurt?
No. If only the outer layer of the tooth is affected, it likely won’t be painful at all. A toothache occurs when the sensitive inner chamber of the tooth is infected by bacteria. However, while not painful itself, a large chip may have sharp edges that irritate your tongue. Even if your chipped tooth isn’t causing any pain, it’s important to get it checked out sooner rather than later.
Will dental insurance pay to fix my chipped teeth?
Most forms of dental insurance do include some coverage for restorative procedures like fillings. If you come to Healthy Smiles Family Dental in Salem, be aware that we work with most insurances and offer a variety of flexible payment options, including CareCredit. There’s even an in-office savings plan to help you reduce the cost of your care if you don’t have insurance.
Who is the best dentist to see in Salem for chipped teeth?
Healthy Smiles Family Dental offers a variety of treatments to fix chipped and cracked teeth, as well as preventive care to stop teeth from chipping and cracking in the first place. Our convenient Salem office is open Monday to Thursday, 7AM to 4PM. We’ll help with all your insurance paperwork and also offer a money-saving dental health membership plan, too! Learn more.
Financing & Payment Options
We offer CareCredit and discount plans through Principal and Carrington. Our office can also arrange payment plans with automatic withdrawals from your bank account.
Whether you have dental insurance or not, we’ll help you get the general dentistry treatments you want and need at a price you can afford.
Become a patient at Healthy Smiles Family Dental
Have questions? Call (503) 315-2500. We hope to see you soon!
Our Office
4392 Liberty Rd S,
Salem OR 97302
Monday - Thursday
7:00AM - 4:00PM
