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Andrew 83 · 25-06-2012, 23:04

Hi all,

I was out a few weeks ago and as I was taking a drink from a glass someone knocked into my elbow and slightly chipped my front tooth. It's a fairly small chip - no one has commented on it at all since so I don't think it's noticeable to people except me really. Anyway I just have a couple of quick questions related to it:

1) Is it easy to get something like this fixed and if it is, is it obvious that there has been a fix made? What I mean is, would getting it fixed actually be more noticeable than the current situation?

2) Is there any dangers involved in not getting it fixed in terms of potential problems down the line?

If it's quick and easy I'd be happy to get it fixed but if there is any sort of expensive procedure I might just leave it - as I have spent a few thousand on dental fees over the last year and it looks grand enough - unless there are potential risks down the line.

I know it's probably impossible to get proper advise without a visit to the dentist and I'll go and have them see it in due course, I'm just wondering what roughly to expect and also whether I should go to see them more urgently.

**LizT** · 25-06-2012, 23:15

I would say go to your dentist asap. My dentist told me sometimes all he needs to do is slightly file a tooth down so it's not sharp after it's been chipped.

It's better to go for the reassurance that you don't need anything major done now rather than leave it and have some problems down the line. (Just my opinion! - I'm not a dentist.)

Dianthus · 26-06-2012, 00:34

The treatment, if warranted, may be a small composite(white)filling, it'll be matched to the shade of your own natural tooth, so it should look similar to how it used to before it was chipped.
Or it may be to "disc" the edge of the tooth to smooth it (obv this option is slightly more destructive)
Or, if there's no exposed dentine or hairline fracture& you have no cosmetic complaint, it may be to do nothing at all and leave well enough alone.
It will take a dentist 5 minutes max to assess the tooth, cost of this will be nil or negligible(ask beforehand), and you'll have peace of mind.

25-06-2012, 23:04	#1
Andrew 83 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 991 Adverts \| Friends	Questions re small chip to front tooth Hi all, I was out a few weeks ago and as I was taking a drink from a glass someone knocked into my elbow and slightly chipped my front tooth. It's a fairly small chip - no one has commented on it at all since so I don't think it's noticeable to people except me really. Anyway I just have a couple of quick questions related to it: 1) Is it easy to get something like this fixed and if it is, is it obvious that there has been a fix made? What I mean is, would getting it fixed actually be more noticeable than the current situation? 2) Is there any dangers involved in not getting it fixed in terms of potential problems down the line? If it's quick and easy I'd be happy to get it fixed but if there is any sort of expensive procedure I might just leave it - as I have spent a few thousand on dental fees over the last year and it looks grand enough - unless there are potential risks down the line. I know it's probably impossible to get proper advise without a visit to the dentist and I'll go and have them see it in due course, I'm just wondering what roughly to expect and also whether I should go to see them more urgently.

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25-06-2012, 23:15	#2
LizT You can't call me Betty Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Over there Posts: 19,435 Adverts \| Friends Mod: After Hours, TCH	I would say go to your dentist asap. My dentist told me sometimes all he needs to do is slightly file a tooth down so it's not sharp after it's been chipped. It's better to go for the reassurance that you don't need anything major done now rather than leave it and have some problems down the line. (Just my opinion! - I'm not a dentist.)

26-06-2012, 00:34	#3
Dianthus Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 367 Adverts \| Friends	The treatment, if warranted, may be a small composite(white)filling, it'll be matched to the shade of your own natural tooth, so it should look similar to how it used to before it was chipped. Or it may be to "disc" the edge of the tooth to smooth it (obv this option is slightly more destructive) Or, if there's no exposed dentine or hairline fracture& you have no cosmetic complaint, it may be to do nothing at all and leave well enough alone. It will take a dentist 5 minutes max to assess the tooth, cost of this will be nil or negligible(ask beforehand), and you'll have peace of mind.