What to do if your child chips a tooth.

Watching your child explore the world around them is a joyous thing. Children approach the world with a curiosity and a fearlessness that is unique to their age and stage. As they grow more confident and spread their wings, you want to keep them safe from trips and falls that are, unfortunately, a common occurrence while your little one finds their balance and spatial awareness. 

Accidents happen, so if your child does take a tumble and ends up chipping a tooth, it isn’t the end of the world. Even if it is their primary, or baby, tooth, it still needs to be fixed. But why does it need to be fixed if it is just going to fall out eventually? While this might be a common thought, primary teeth and adult teeth have the same importance, as they both serve a purpose. 

The primary teeth work as a foundation to set up the position for adult teeth. If a cracked tooth is severe, and eventually falls out, other teeth can shift places in the jaw, meaning there could be issues as adult teeth come in in the future. So, if your child has chipped a tooth, make an appointment at Pediatric Dental Specialists in Omaha, NE, to see what our team can do to help out your child.

Assessing the Damage

The first thing a dentist at Pediatric Dental Specialists will do is assess the damage to the tooth. How much of the tooth is chipped? Is the tooth salvageable? Will a filling or dental crown be able to save the integrity of the tooth? If there is major damage to the tooth, the dentist may recommend a dental crown over a filling.

Crown vs. Filling

What is the difference between a dental crown and a dental filling? Both are ways a dentist can protect a tooth from damage or cavities. A dental filling is used mostly for cavities, but can be used if there is slight tooth damage from a chip or crack. A dental crown, meanwhile, is a custom fitted cover that fits over a tooth to restore its integrity. A dental crown is used for major dental issues, like chipped teeth that need to be preserved.

A traditional filling is silver and made from amalgam. While amalgam fillings work great, many people are now turning to white composite fillings that look more like the natural tooth. Both types of fillings are durable, and can last a long time with proper dental care.

A dental crown can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, resin, or porcelain. Dental crowns can be color-matched to a person’s natural tooth colors, and thanks to new technology, there are same-day dental crowns available. With proper care, a dental crown can last up to 15 years.

When a Filling is the Best Option

A dental filling is best known as the solution for cavities. However, a dental filling can be used for small, cosmetic fixes, too, like a small crack. As long as the damage to the tooth is minimal, and the integrity of the tooth is still there, a dental filling can be used on a chipped tooth.

When a Dental Crown is the Best Option

Since a dental crown is a tooth-shaped restoration that covers a tooth, any time there is an injury to the tooth that may have damaged its integrity, a dental crown is likely what your dentist will recommend. A dental crown can support a broken or cracked tooth because it is essentially a cover that hugs the original tooth. Dental crowns are custom made to look just like your child’s original tooth, so no one will know they have a dental crown, unless they tell them!

Consult with the Pediatric Dental Specialists team.

If your child has damaged their tooth, it is best to give our office a call as soon as possible so we can get your child in for an evaluation. After we have evaluated their tooth, we will be able to recommend the best treatment option for them. Depending on the amount of damage the tooth has sustained, our team will be able to tell if a dental filling or a dental crown will be more effective for fixing their tooth.

At Pediatric Dental Specialists, we are all about making sure your child’s dental health is first and foremost on our mind, so we’ll take that into consideration when we are evaluating the damage your child’s tooth has sustained. Remember, we are here to keep your child’s dental health first!