### Overview Enamel, the tough outer covering of your teeth, is one of the strongest substances in your body. However, it can still chip due to forceful blows or excessive wear and tear. This can result in a jagged tooth surface that may be sharp, tender, and disfiguring. ### Causes Teeth can chip for various reasons, including weakened enamel, forceful impacts, and excessive wear. Weakened teeth are more prone to chipping, especially the second lower molar and teeth with fillings. ### Symptoms A minor chip might go unnoticed, but symptoms can include sharp or tender edges. Your dentist can diagnose a chipped tooth through a visible inspection and by asking about any events that may have caused the chipping. ### Treatment Treatment depends on the chip's location, severity, and symptoms. While not usually a medical emergency, you should see your dentist as soon as possible to avoid infection or further damage. Minor chips can often be smoothed and polished. For more extensive chips, treatments may include: - **Bonding**: A composite resin or porcelain is cemented to the tooth and shaped to fit. Ultraviolet light hardens the material, which can last up to 10 years. - **Veneers**: A thin layer of durable material is bonded to the tooth. Veneers can last about 30 years. - **Onlays**: Often used for molars, onlays are cemented to the tooth and can last for decades. ### Prevention To prevent chipping, avoid biting hard objects, wear a mouthguard during sports, and maintain good oral hygiene. ### Emergency Care If you have the tooth fragment, place it in milk to keep it moist and see your dentist immediately. If the chip affects the tooth's root, a root canal may be necessary. ### Conclusion A chipped tooth is common and usually not a dental emergency. Prompt treatment can limit further dental issues, and recovery is generally quick once the procedure is complete.