CHIPPED TOOTH

Let Dr. Jon Zoutendam repair your chipped tooth in Traverse City!

Did you crunch too hard on that piece of ice? Maybe you tripped and kissed the pavement. Whatever the cause, a chipped tooth is no fun. That’s why Dr. Jon Zoutendam is waiting for your call in Traverse City!

How to Care for a Chipped Tooth

If you’re experiencing a chipped tooth, see Dr. Jon Zoutendam as soon as possible. Otherwise, your tooth could be damaged further or become infected, possibly causing you to end up losing the tooth.

In the meantime, try the following self-care measures for your chipped tooth:

If the tooth is painful, take acetaminophen or another over-the-counter pain reliever. Rinse your mouth with salt water.

If the break has caused a sharp or jagged edge, cover it with a piece of wax paraffin or sugarless chewing gum to keep it from cutting your tongue or the inside of your lip or cheek.

If you must eat, eat soft foods and avoid biting down on the broken tooth.

Treatment for a broken or chipped tooth will depend on how severely it is damaged. If only a small piece of enamel broke off, the repair can usually be done simply in one office visit. A badly damaged or broken tooth may require a more lengthy and costly procedure.

Some of Dr. Zoutendam’s treatments for a chipped tooth include:

Dental Filling or Bonding – If you have chipped off just a small piece of tooth enamel, we may repair the damage with a filling. If the repair is to a front tooth or can be seen when you smile, we will likely use a procedure called bonding, which uses a tooth-colored composite resin.

Dental Cap or Crown – If a large piece of tooth breaks off or the tooth has a lot of decay, Dr. Zoutendam may grind or file away part of the remaining tooth and cover it with a crown, or tooth-shaped cap, made to protect the tooth and improve its appearance.

Dental Veneers – If the chipped tooth is in the front, a dental veneer can make it look whole and healthy again. A dental veneer is a thin shell of tooth-colored porcelain or resin composite material that covers the whole front of the tooth with a thicker section to replace the broken part of the tooth.

At Dr. Zoutendam’s office, our philosophy is to develop long-term patient relationships by providing predictable, quality dentistry in a warm, caring environment. We’re here to serve you and your family to ensure that the dental health of everyone you love is properly maintained.

If you have a chipped tooth, don’t delay! Call Dr. Zoutendam for an appointment today: 231-946-6336.