Chipped Tooth: Causes and Restoration Options.
A chipped tooth is one of the most common dental concerns. Whether it is a minor cosmetic chip or a deeper fracture affecting comfort and function, a professional assessment can help determine the most appropriate course of care.
Professional Assessment
A thorough dental examination can evaluate the extent of the chip and identify the most suitable restoration — whether composite bonding, contouring, or another approach.
“You can’t even tell it was ever chipped.”
What Is a Chipped Tooth?
A chipped tooth occurs when a small fragment of enamel — the hard outer layer of the tooth — breaks away. In some cases, the chip may be superficial and purely cosmetic. In others, a larger piece may fracture, exposing the underlying dentine or, in more severe cases, the pulp (nerve) within the tooth.
Enamel Chip
A small piece of the outer enamel has broken away. Typically painless and often cosmetic in nature. May be repaired with composite bonding or smoothed with contouring.
Dentine Exposure
A larger chip that reaches the dentine layer beneath the enamel. May cause mild sensitivity to temperature or pressure. Professional restoration is advisable.
Pulp Involvement
A severe fracture extending to the nerve of the tooth. Likely to cause noticeable pain. May require more involved restorative treatment to protect the tooth.
Not all chipped teeth cause pain. Even a painless chip may benefit from professional assessment to evaluate whether the damage could worsen over time or whether the exposed surface is vulnerable to further wear. A is the most reliable way to determine the extent of the damage and the most suitable approach.
Common Causes of a Chipped Tooth
Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, yet it is not immune to damage. A number of everyday situations and underlying factors can contribute to chipping.
1Accidental Trauma
Falls, sports injuries, and unexpected impacts to the mouth are among the most common causes of chipped teeth — particularly the front teeth. Wearing a custom mouthguard during contact sports may help reduce this risk.
2Biting Hard Foods
Biting down on ice, hard sweets, crusty bread, olive stones, or popcorn kernels can concentrate force on a single point of the tooth, exceeding the enamel's tolerance and causing a chip.
3Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Chronic grinding or clenching — often occurring during sleep — places repetitive stress on the enamel surface. Over time, this can weaken tooth edges and make them more susceptible to chipping.
4Previous Large Fillings
Teeth with existing large restorations have less natural tooth structure remaining. The surrounding enamel may be structurally compromised, increasing the likelihood of chipping around the edges of the filling.
5Wear and Tear Over Time
Years of normal use gradually thin the enamel, particularly along biting edges. Older teeth may chip more readily than younger ones simply due to cumulative wear and reduced structural integrity.
Structural weakness from decay, acid erosion, or existing restorations may increase the risk of chipping. Regular dental assessments can help identify vulnerable teeth before damage occurs.
When a Chipped Tooth May Need Urgent Assessment
Many chipped teeth are minor and can be assessed within a few days. However, certain signs may indicate that a more prompt evaluation is appropriate. If any of the following apply, we recommend contacting us to arrange an assessment:
Significant or Persistent Pain
Pain that does not subside may suggest the fracture has reached deeper layers of the tooth, potentially involving the nerve.
Increasing Sensitivity
Heightened sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks may indicate that dentine or the pulp is exposed.
A Large Portion Has Fractured
If a substantial piece of the tooth has broken away, the remaining structure may be vulnerable to further damage without timely restoration.
The Chip Occurred After Trauma
Chips resulting from a fall, sports injury, or impact to the face may be accompanied by damage that is not immediately visible, such as a root fracture or injury to adjacent teeth.
While You Wait: General Guidance
Avoid biting on the affected tooth where possible.
Avoid very hot or cold foods if you notice sensitivity.
Maintain gentle oral hygiene — do not stop brushing the area.
If there is a sharp edge, sugar-free gum or dental wax may help protect the tongue.
Arrange a professional dental assessment at your earliest convenience.
These measures are intended as general guidance only. They do not replace professional dental assessment and treatment.
Composite Bonding for Chipped Teeth
Composite bonding is one of the most frequently recommended treatments for repairing chipped teeth. It is a conservative, minimally invasive approach that may restore both the shape and appearance of a damaged tooth — often in a single appointment.
How It Works
A tooth-coloured composite resin is carefully applied to the chipped area, sculpted by hand to replicate the natural contour of the tooth, and hardened with a curing light. The material is shade-matched to blend with the surrounding enamel, and the surface is polished to a natural lustre.
For many chips, no drilling or anaesthetic is required — the composite bonds directly to the existing enamel surface. This makes the procedure particularly suitable for patients who prefer a minimally invasive approach.
Suitability
Composite bonding is generally most appropriate for small to moderate chips where sufficient enamel remains for the material to bond to. For larger fractures or teeth that bear heavy chewing forces, a dental crown or veneer may provide a more durable long-term solution. Your dentist can advise on the most suitable option following a clinical evaluation.
Potential Benefits
Preserves as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Shade-matched composite aims to blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth.
Bonding can often be completed in one appointment — no laboratory work required.
Many bonding procedures require no drilling or anaesthetic.
If the bonding chips or wears over time, it can typically be repaired or replaced.
Cosmetic Contouring
In cases where a chip is very small and confined entirely to the enamel, cosmetic contouring — sometimes referred to as tooth reshaping — may be an appropriate option. Rather than adding material to the tooth, contouring involves gently smoothing or reshaping the enamel to improve the tooth’s symmetry and remove rough or uneven edges.
Contouring may be suitable when the chip has left a sharp or uneven edge but the tooth’s overall structure remains sound. It is a quick procedure that typically involves minimal discomfort, usually requires no anaesthetic, and produces immediate visible improvement.
Professional assessment determines whether contouring alone is sufficient, or whether composite bonding or another restoration may provide a more complete result. In some cases, the two approaches may be combined.
When Contouring May Be Appropriate
Superficial chips that have not reached the dentine layer.
Smoothing edges that may irritate the tongue or lips.
Subtle reshaping to improve the visual balance between adjacent teeth.
Contouring may be combined with composite bonding for an optimal result.
Other Restoration Options
While composite bonding and contouring address many chipped teeth, some fractures may benefit from a different restorative approach depending on the extent and location of the damage.
Dental Crowns
For larger fractures where a significant portion of the tooth has been lost, a dental crown may provide a more robust and long-lasting restoration. A crown covers the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. Zirconia and E-Max crowns offer natural-looking, metal-free results.
Best For
Large fractures, structurally weakened teeth
Typically requires two appointments
Porcelain Veneers
For chipped front teeth where cosmetic appearance is a priority, a porcelain veneer may provide an enhanced aesthetic result. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain bonded to the front surface of the tooth, covering the chip and improving the overall shape, colour, and symmetry of the smile.
Best For
Front teeth, cosmetic enhancement
Custom-made for a natural result
Monitoring
Not every chipped tooth requires immediate treatment. If the chip is very minor, painless, and does not affect function or aesthetics, your dentist may recommend monitoring the tooth at routine check-ups. This approach avoids unnecessary intervention while ensuring the situation is reviewed over time.
Best For
Minor, asymptomatic chips
Reviewed at regular dental check-ups
Related Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Chipped Tooth Assessment
If you have chipped a tooth, a professional dental assessment can help determine whether composite bonding, contouring, or another restoration may be appropriate. Assessment and restoration options for chipped teeth are available at our London clinic, where professional evaluation can determine the most appropriate course of care.
Professional Care for Chipped Teeth
From minor cosmetic chips to more significant fractures, our South Kensington team can assess the damage and recommend the most appropriate restoration for your individual situation.
20 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3DL
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Dr. Yasha Y Shirazi
Principal Dentist & Clinical Director
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Meticulous preventative care meets world-class cosmetic dentistry. Yasha offers complicated surgical extractions, complex treatments, and smile makeovers.
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Dr. Kamran Yazdi
Dentist
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Conservative dentistry specialist with postgraduate degrees from UCL Eastman. Believes in preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible.
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Dentist
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Friendly and enthusiastic dentist passionate about cosmetic and aesthetic restorative dentistry. Patient-centred care is at the heart of everything she does.
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Dentist with Special Interest in Prosthodontics
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Award-winning prosthodontics specialist with the London Gold Medal. Combines advanced clinical skill with a calm, gentle manner.
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Dr. Narges Ameri
Dentist
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Specialist-trained prosthodontist and implantologist. Former Assistant Professor at Tehran University with expertise in complex restorative cases.
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Jack Button
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Clinical Director and only Dental Hygienist awarded Fellowship to the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.
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