A chipped tooth can mar an otherwise nice smile, particularly as teeth that become damaged are often in the front of the mouth. The good news is that it’s usually quite simple to mend a chipped tooth and it’s a great idea to do this as soon as you can. Here at the Cosmetic Dentistry Center we have several different options to help restore your smile to its former glory. The exact treatment we are likely to recommend will depend on the size of the chip and the overall health of the affected tooth. While aesthetics is a major concern, mending any chips in your teeth is also vital for your oral health.
How a Chipped Tooth Can Affect Your Dental Health
Healthy teeth are protected with a strong layer of tooth enamel that prevents bacteria from getting inside the tooth. If you have a chip in your tooth then this layer is breeched, allowing bacteria to enter the tooth where they can eat away at the dentin which is a much softer material directly underneath the enamel. As the dentin is eroded, it causes a cavity which will eventually reach the very central part of your tooth called the pulp. If the pulp becomes exposed, you’re likely to notice your tooth feels especially sensitive towards hot and cold and it could become increasingly uncomfortable. There is a huge risk that these bacteria will infect the pulp, by which time you will need root canal treatment to save the tooth. A badly infected tooth can be pretty painful so it’s really much simpler, quicker and cheaper to repair the broken or damaged tooth.
Dental Bonding to Mend Your Chipped Tooth
Different treatments include dental bonding, porcelain veneers or even completely crowning a tooth. Dental bonding is the most straightforward and cost-effective choice as our dentist can repair your tooth, rebuilding the lost portion with tooth colored composite resins. This treatment can be completed in just one appointment and the result should last for several years.
Porcelain Veneers to Mask Small Chips
Smaller chips can be masked with a porcelain veneer. This will fit over the front surface of the tooth and the incisal area or biting edge of the tooth. Our porcelain veneers are strong, beautiful and hard wearing and with the proper care could last for 10 years or even longer.
Our dentist will need to prepare your tooth before placing a porcelain veneer and remove a minimal amount of enamel from the front surface. This creates sufficient room for the veneer so it looks very lifelike. It takes approximately two weeks for a veneer to be fabricated, during which time we will protect your tooth with a temporary veneer. Once made, the veneer can be fitted and cemented in place.
Porcelain Crowns for Substantially Damaged Teeth
We might suggest a porcelain crown for teeth that are substantially damaged and where a large portion of the tooth is missing. A crown completely covers up the tooth, protecting the remaining portion so it cannot become infected or decayed. We can make beautiful dental crowns from the most advanced materials. If aesthetics is a particular concern then ask us about our all ceramic crowns. These provide the very best results and are very strong.
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