An edge that scrapes your lip
A rough patch from an impact can feel large and distracting. The dentist assesses how far it extends and what outline remains before deciding whether light smoothing is enough or would change the tooth too much.
Restorative Dentistry
Chipped Tooth Repair in Burlington
A stick, an elbow or a stray ball can take a corner off a tooth in a second. If you are coming from Burlington, we check the injury as well as the chip before planning a repair that suits it.
After the game, a missing cornerBook an injury and chip check
A knock on the field, a gap in the smile
Contact sports, a fall from a bike and a collision in the backyard all have something in common: the front teeth often take the hit. Sometimes the only sign is a small corner that is suddenly gone. That missing corner is lost tooth surface, and when it follows an impact, the tooth behind it deserves as much attention as the chip.
Repair choices depend on how big and how deep the break is, which tooth took the blow and how your bite comes together. A shallow nick on the enamel is handled differently from a corner that has clearly broken away, and both differ from a chip that exposes a more sensitive layer or comes with a loosened tooth.
When you come in from Burlington, our Bronte Street practice starts by asking how it happened. Was it a stick, a ball, a fall or a meal? Tell us about any bleeding or wobbling, too. You can share how you want the tooth to look afterwards, but the first priority is making sure it is healthy and stable.
What an impact can hide
The chip may be the smallest part.
A chip may involve only enamel, or it may come with a crack, bruising of the tooth’s nerve or damage to the surrounding gum and bone. Assessment helps separate a simple defect from an injury needing more care.
A corner that changes your smile
When a front tooth loses its corner, it can look shorter or out of line. Describe what you noticed, and if you have a team photo or picture from before, it can help show the original shape.
The same tooth, chipped again
A repeat injury or chip on one tooth calls for a look at the bite, habits, wear and any earlier repair. Rebuilding without knowing why it keeps breaking can leave the new edge just as exposed.
After any blow to the mouth, mention whether the tooth moved, bled, changed colour or now meets its partner differently. These details shape how urgently and how thoroughly the tooth is examined.
What repair can offer
Back in shape, without overdoing it
If the injury is limited, care might just mean taking the sharpness off an edge or replacing a small amount of missing structure. Composite bonding is one option for a chipped corner when the tooth, the surface for bonding and the forces of your bite make it a sound choice.
Even a well-made tooth-coloured repair has limits. Colour, texture and strength all have to be considered, and a repaired edge may stain or break again, particularly if it takes another knock. Your dentist should be clear about what is realistic and should not promise an exact match or a permanent fix.
Patient information: NHS — chipped, broken or cracked teeth
Comfortable to the tongue again
Dealing with a jagged spot can stop it catching your tongue or lip all day, provided the injury behind it has been assessed properly.
A shape you have a say in
You can discuss how much of the corner to rebuild. The change is planned against the neighbouring teeth and the way your smile normally looks.
Care that matches the injury
A thorough assessment can keep a minor chip from being over-treated. If something more is advised, ask which findings make a simpler repair a poor fit.
Planning care after a knock
Check, decide, rebuild, follow up.
Some chips can be repaired in a single visit, while an injured tooth may need watching before the final repair. The examination decides which applies, so allow time to talk through what was found.
Assess the injury and the chip
The dentist examines the broken edge, the remaining tooth, the gums and the bite. How the injury happened and any symptoms guide whether X-rays or sensitivity tests are needed first.
Lay out the options
Smoothing, reattaching a saved fragment, bonding or another approach may be discussed. Ask how each affects the tooth and what to expect for appearance, strength and upkeep.
Repair when the tooth is ready
A suitable edge may be refined, or the missing portion rebuilt with composite in a matched colour and contour, then set and polished. Sometimes a temporary measure comes first.
Follow the tooth over time
The bite and finish are checked before you leave. After trauma, a follow-up is often suggested, because a tooth’s response to injury can take time to show.
Protecting the repair on and off the field
Guard the tooth, keep it clean.
A polished edge, a bonded corner and a larger restoration each come with slightly different advice. Ask about any short-term limits, including when it is reasonable to return to contact sport.
Wear a mouthguard for contact play
Hockey, lacrosse, rugby, basketball and similar sports put front teeth at risk. Ask whether a properly fitted guard makes sense, especially for a tooth that has already been chipped and repaired.
Brush and clean between teeth daily
Use a fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth each day. If floss snags on the repaired corner or the surface feels rough, tell us rather than working at it with an abrasive product.
Watch for colour or comfort changes
Report a tooth that darkens, becomes tender or chips again, or a bite that feels different. These can be signs that the injury needs another look.
After a sports chip(905) 876-4488
Questions players and parents ask
Injury-related chips raise questions about urgency, sport and how long a repair will last. These answers can help you prepare before heading over from Burlington.
What should I do in the first hour after a tooth chips during a game?
Rinse gently with water, apply a cold compress to the outside of the face for swelling and look for the broken piece. Call the clinic, especially if the tooth is loose, bleeding or very painful, so the team can advise how soon it should be seen.
How do I store a broken piece of tooth until the appointment?
Place it in a small container covered with milk or your own saliva, and bring it with you. Avoid scrubbing it or letting it dry out. The dentist will assess whether reattachment is possible, which is not always the case.
When can I go back to contact sport after a chip repair?
That depends on the injury and the repair. Ask the dentist before returning, and consider a fitted mouthguard. A tooth that has been knocked may need monitoring, and another impact on a fresh repair could damage it.
Can a chipped tooth change colour weeks after an injury?
It can. A blow may affect the nerve inside the tooth, and darkening or tenderness sometimes appears later. Let the clinic know if you notice either, as follow-up after trauma is there to catch changes like these.
Does a bonded corner stand up to biting into an apple?
Composite on a front corner can handle ordinary eating in many cases, but very hard or forceful biting on that edge may chip it. The dentist can suggest how to adjust your habits, depending on where the repair sits and how your teeth meet.
Is a mouthguard worth it for recreational leagues?
Any activity with a risk of falls, sticks, balls or collisions can injure teeth. A properly fitted guard is often recommended for contact and high-speed sports. Ask the dentist what type suits you or your child, particularly after a previous chip.
Burlington sports chips and everyday breaks
Bring the tooth, and the piece if you have it.
Come to our Bronte Street practice to discuss a corner lost to a game, a fall or an ordinary meal. We will check the injury and the chip, explain suitable repairs and think about shape, comfort and function together before you decide.
Call straight away after a recent impact, if a tooth has moved, or if there is severe pain or swelling, so the urgency can be discussed before you head over.
Visit Milton Dental ClinicUnit 1, 342 Bronte St. S, Milton, ON L9T 5B7Get directions
Clinic hours
- Monday–Thursday
- 11am–7pm
- Friday–Sunday
- By appointment only
Areas we serve
- Milton
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