Unless for a shark or an alligator the answer to this question is, “No, a chipped tooth will not grow back.” In their attempt to find out how lost teeth can be regenerated, University of Southern California researchers have studied alligators for a maximum of 50 times. Harvard scientists have also studied teeth regeneration using lasers on rats’ teeth. Although they have regenerated some tissues of the teeth successfully, they have not done so with enamel. Among the interesting things that researchers have established from their studies is that stem cells beneath the teeth of primitive animals such as sharks and alligators are ready for regeneration. However, this is not the case for humans.
How human teeth grow
We are naturally diphydont. This implies that we have two teeth sets. Our primary teeth set or the baby teeth comprises of 20 teeth which are temporary. Development of these teeth starts at the embryonic stage. They also start falling out at the age of about 6 years.
There are permanent teeth sets that replace primary teeth. These are adult teeth that develop alongside the adult jaw. Wisdom teeth develop last at the age of between 17 and 21 years.
Since there is no scientific way of regenerating chipped teeth, the only option is to repair them. Experienced dentists like Dr. Gabe Doria offer chipped teeth treatments. Dr. Gabe can also advise you on how to take care of your treated chipped teeth when you visit his dental practice at Bayonne, NJ in Hudson County. Although the enamel is the strongest tissue in human body, it is gets fractures, cracks or chips. If any of your teeth gets chipped, you should see a dentist immediately to prevent further damage.
However, before the appointment, treat the chipped teeth gently as follows:
- If you experience some pain, take over-the-counter pain reliever
- Use salt water to rinse the mouth as a way of preventing infection
- Avoid hard foods
- Avoid putting more stress or biting down on your chipped tooth
- Place sugarless soft wax or gum on the chipped tooth especially if it has a jagged or sharp edge to prevent injury to your tongue or lips
Repairing a chipped tooth involves a procedure that varies from one person to another. Ideally, how a chipped tooth is repaired depends on the level of damage on the tooth and its health. However, it is generally recommended that you call a dentist immediately to have the fracture fixed. If your dentin is at risk, the dentist will most likely recommend the removal of the chipped tooth and its replacement using an implant. However, there are cases where a crown and a root canal procedure can save the chipped tooth.
Here are the major options for repairing a chipped tooth:
- If a front tooth is has a small chip, composite resin with a matching color can be used to fix the problem. This is usually bonded on the chipped tooth and it matches the natural tooth color.
- A filling can be used to fix a small chip.
- A dental crown is also placed on a tooth that has larger missing pieces.
- Chips on front teeth can be fixed using dental veneers.
- If blood vessels and nerves in the tooth pulp are exposed by the chip, it can be repaired using a root canal procedure.
To avoid a chipped tooth, you should avoid harder foods that are likely to give you a chipped tooth. For instance, corn on cob can chip teeth when you bit it down. If you bite down on grilled meat with a bone, you can chip your teeth right away. Chewing ice cubes can also chip your teeth. However, this does not mean that you should not enjoy your favorite foods. Instead, change how you approach eating them. Be more careful when biting corn, grilled meat and ice cubes.
If you have a chipped tooth, contact a reputable dentist now. Dr. Gabe Doria offers professional repair for chipped tooth at his dental practice in Bayonne, NJ in Hudson County.
Call us to book your appointment. We can handle a dental emergency the same day you contact us. Contact us right away to schedule your consultation.
