Can A Chipped Tooth Heal Itself?

Have you ever wondered why a chipped tooth can’t heal itself?

Unlike your skin or bones, a chipped tooth can’t repair itself.

Usually, in such cases, you must undergo restorative treatment to repair the chipped tooth.

While it would have been good to have a tooth heal on its own, it’s not a good idea to leave your chipped tooth without treatment.

In this blog, we help you understand why a chipped tooth can’t heal and what you can do about it.

Why can’t a chipped tooth heal itself?

 
A chipped or cracked tooth results from an injury and can expose the tooth’s inner layers.

This can make the tooth vulnerable to bacterial infections and even result in tooth loss.

A chipped tooth can be caused by:

• Trauma or injury
• Teeth grinding
• Use teeth as a tool to open bottles, etc.
• Bad bite
• Weakened tooth due to advancing age

Now, you might think that a chipped tooth will heal independently just like any other injury on any other part of the body.

But the fact is, a chipped or cracked tooth does not heal itself.

The primary requirement of wound healing is blood supply.

When an area is highly vascular, the blood carries nutrients and oxygen to the injured area, thus aiding in wound healing.

However, your tooth enamel has no blood supply and cannot be repaired when damaged.

Our teeth develop within six months of pregnancy in our mother’s womb.

Unlike bones, the outer layers of your teeth have no blood supply and living tissues; hence, they cannot redevelop independently.

A cracked tooth can cause pain and discomfort, resulting in:

• Tooth sensitivity
• Pain when chewing or biting
• Gum inflammation and swelling

It is important to get prompt attention for a chipped or cracked tooth.

Otherwise, the problem might worsen and result in tooth loss.

When can a tooth heal on its own?

 
A chipped tooth may repair itself if the damage is very minute.

The process is called remineralization.

If the damage is minimal and doesn’t involve deeper layers of the tooth, the minerals in your saliva might help repair the tooth.
A diet rich in calcium and low in sugars is important to accelerate the remineralization process.

Brushing with a fluoride-rich toothpaste will also help remineralize the tooth.

However, remineralization only works if the damage to your teeth is minimal.

If a large chunk of your tooth has been broken or the damage has penetrated the inner layers of your tooth, a restorative treatment is required to preserve the tooth.

What are the treatment options for a chipped tooth?

 
You should get your chipped tooth promptly treated to avoid an infection and further complications.

Depending on the severity of the case, there are multiple treatment options available: 

• Dental bonding: teeth bonding is a technique used to restore chipped teeth using composite resin. During this procedure, your dentist will apply a tooth-colored resin and set it using a special light. This technique is suitable if there is no internal damage or pulp involvement.

 

• Dental veneers: require more extensive treatment and are best where the damage has penetrated the inner parts of the tooth. Veneers are ultra-thin shells the same color as your teeth. They are fitted over your natural teeth after removing some of the enamel. The procedure is minorly invasive but very effective in restoring chipped teeth.

 

• Dental crowns: if the damage done to your teeth is extensive, you might need a dental crown for restoration. A crown will support the chipped tooth by covering the entire tooth surface. We provide some of the most high-quality dental crowns in Calgary.

 

• Root canal therapy: if the damage has penetrated the pulp, a simple cosmetic restoration might not be enough. An exposed pulp increases the chances of getting a tooth infection. Your dentist might recommend getting a tooth root canal in such cases. During a root canal treatment, the dentist will remove the pulp from the chipped tooth and fill it with any endodontic material. This procedure can help save your tooth from extraction.

 

• Dental implant: if your tooth is extensively damaged, you will need an extraction. In such cases, dental implants might be the right fit for you. An implant is a post made from biomimetic material and surgically placed on your jawbone. Once this has healed, a crown is placed on the implant.

Why should you go to a dentist promptly for a chipped tooth?

 
Promptly seeing a dentist for a chipped tooth is important to avoid infection and pain.

If you are looking for affordable dental clinics in Calgary to treat your chipped tooth, look no further.

Our experienced team of professionals at Galaxy Dental will help restore your smile so you can smile confidently.