There is an increase in the number of stress-related oral health conditions, with 63% of dentists surveyed reporting more chipped teeth and more cracked teeth. A chipped tooth is not only an uncomfortable and unpleasant condition, but it can also detract from the appearance of your smile.
Whether you have a dental injury or simply chipped your tooth while eating something, it is simple to fix a chipped tooth with the help of your dentist. Do you want to learn how to fix a chipped tooth?
Keep reading this guide to learn more about common dental procedures for chipped teeth to see what options would work best for you.
Dental Bonding
One of the easiest and fastest ways you can fix a chipped or broken tooth is with dental bonding. Dental bonding is a common cosmetic dental procedure that uses composite resin to repair damaged teeth.
It can be used to improve the appearance of chipped, cracked, or even gapped teeth. Your dentist will apply the resin to the area of your tooth that has broken off. Then, they will cure the resin with activating light.
Once the material has hardened, your dentist will shape it and polish it so it more closely resembles your natural tooth. Because it is such a simple procedure, you can fix a chipped tooth with dental bonding in an hour or less.
While a crown on your tooth may have a different color, the composite resin is tooth-colored. This means that your tooth will look very natural when it is repaired, even if the chipped tooth was one of your visible front teeth.
Tooth bonding is typically only an option for people with minor damage to their teeth. If you have a small chip, bonding is a natural-looking way to repair the damage. However, it is not an option for people that are missing most of their tooth after a severe chip.
Many people choose this option for tooth repair because it is a simple procedure that is affordable and looks natural.
Dental Veneers
Another common cosmetic dental procedure that is used to improve chipped teeth are dental veneers. A dental veneer is made from porcelain or composite material and is essentially a shell that covers your natural tooth.
To prevent the veneers from sticking out farther than your natural teeth, your dentist will first shave off a layer of your enamel from your teeth. Then, they will take impressions of your broken or chipped tooth to create a mold for your veneer.
This will ensure that your veneer is custom-fit to your teeth and looks as natural as possible.
Veneers are only an option for chipped tooth repair if the natural tooth is still healthy. If the chip caused too much damage, you may need a more extensive repair.
Root Canals
If you have a large chip in your tooth, there is a chance that it will expose the pulp inside your tooth. The dental pulp is the tissue inside your tooth that is made from blood vessels, connective tissue, and more.
If it is exposed, it may become infected and require a root canal to save your natural tooth.
During a root canal, your dentist will remove this infected pulp of your tooth. Then, they will seal off the area to prevent bacteria and other debris from getting inside your tooth. Often, your root canal treatment will require a dental crown to reinforce the structure of your tooth.
Dental Crowns
Even if you don’t need a root canal to repair your broken tooth, you may need to get a dental crown. Dental crowns can be made with many materials. Some common options are porcelain, ceramics, metal alloys, and more.
During this procedure, your dentist will take an impression of your tooth. This way, they can create a customized cap for your tooth so it fits perfectly and feels as natural as possible in your mouth.
While veneers cover the front of your chipped tooth, crowns cover the entire tooth. This means you don’t have to worry about your tooth getting even more damaged over time.
Implants
Finally, if your chipped tooth is severe enough, you may need to get a dental implant. This is necessary if there is a severe crack in your tooth or if the tooth broke up to the gum line.
In this case, your dentist may not be able to salvage your natural tooth. Instead, they will likely remove the remainder of your tooth and allow it to heal. Then, they will provide you with a dental implant.
An implant is a metal post that replaces the roots of your teeth. Then, they can replace your missing tooth with a crown or a tooth implant. This will be matched as closely as possible to your natural teeth so that it looks and feels like your old tooth.
A dental implant is one of the most invasive treatments for a chipped or damaged tooth and typically requires a few separate appointments. However, the results are long-lasting and will feel very natural.
Learn How to Fix a Chipped Tooth Today
If you are dealing with a chipped or cracked tooth, it can impact many parts of your daily life. Finding the best options for chipped tooth repair can help you repair your broken tooth as quickly as possible.
If you want to learn how to fix a chipped tooth with the help of your dentist, Green Street Dental can help! We offer general and cosmetic dental services and can help you improve the appearance of your smile.
Contact us today to set an appointment with our dental experts.
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