Two chipped teeth... please no more fillings

[SeagullFTB]

Hi,

I went to the hygienist today for a clean. It's one of my least favourite things to do, but my teeth aren't great so it's necessary.

Since the clean, I have noticed 2 small chips on 2 of my teeth. One upper and one lower. I know my teeth are in a bad condition, so I presume a small piece of decayed tooth broke away during the clean.

Neither chip is sharp nor is it sensitive. Do these chips need any treatment? If so, how urgent? Or can they wait until my next dentist appointment in 5 months?

 

[Niall Neeson]

Hi,

I went to the hygienist today for a clean. It's one of my least favourite things to do, but my teeth aren't great so it's necessary.

Since the clean, I have noticed 2 small chips on 2 of my teeth. One upper and one lower. I know my teeth are in a bad condition, so I presume a small piece of decayed tooth broke away during the clean.

Neither chip is sharp nor is it sensitive. Do these chips need any treatment? If so, how urgent? Or can they wait until my next dentist appointment in 5 months?

Hi SeagullFTB,

To be honest from what I can see it looks like both need fillings as the decay appears to be through the outside enamel layer and into the softer, second dentine layer. They’re unlikely to be close to the pulp (where the nerve is) currently but the sooner you intervene, the safer the distance will be between the fillings and the pulp. Equally, the longer it’s left the more chance it will become a bigger problem. Prompt intervention will also keep the filling smaller, quicker and simpler. It’s maybe not what your instinct will lean towards or what you wanted to hear but it will make things much easier in the long run.

 

[Gordon]

Completely agree, sorry. You also might want to look at your diet, have you made any changes recently that have led to you getting some new decay?