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Just because it doesn’t hurt doesn’t mean you should ignore it…
Many of us have experienced a chipped tooth at one point in our lives, and if it hasn’t happened to you yet – consider yourself lucky. The sense of urgency is normally dependant on one of two factors:
- Level of pain
- Noticeable area of concern
Many times, a chipped tooth remains undiscovered until it starts to hurt. By the time you get to this point, you may be facing a large procedure such as a root canal, or worse yet, an extraction. Be sure to address the issue as soon as possible, before the pain begins.
What Procedures Will Fix a Chipped Tooth?
With today’s dentistry – there are a lot of ways a dentist can fix a chipped tooth. We will address the top 3 procedures used when addressing chipped teeth.
- Dental Bonding/Composite Fillings
This procedure is performed when there is a smaller area of chipping, generally with little to no tooth decay. The dentist will lightly rough out the area around the chip and apply the dental materials to the appropriate place. Your dentist will then light cure the dental material so that it hardens, and your tooth will look restored to its original condition. - Porcelain Veneers
Veneers act as covers for a tooth. When using the appropriate material, they will look and feel like your natural tooth. Veneers can only be used on the cheek and lip sides of your teeth. They do not wrap around your entire tooth. With veneers, your dentist will bond the veneer to your tooth with a similar procedure to the dental bonding procedure, without the composite filling. Veneers can last years with good oral health care. - Porcelain or Metal Crowns
Depending upon the situation and the patient, you may be able to choose to have a porcelain or metal crown placed over a tooth. This situation most likely occurs when there has been a large chip, too big to fix with a filling or veneer. A crown wraps around your entire tooth, protecting it from further fractures. To prepare the crown, your dentist will rough away any tooth decay and create space to place a crown over the tooth. The dentist will take an impression of your tooth. Then, you will have a temporary crown placed while your permanent crown is being fabricated in the laboratory. Once your crown is fabricated, your dentist will be able to fix it permanently in your mouth. These crowns can last years when taken care of appropriately.
Get Help for Your Chipped Tooth Today
With the multiple options dentists give you when it comes to repairing your chipped teeth, you will have no problem bringing that smile back to being photo-ready.
For more information on how Penn Dental Family Practice can help you achieve your ideal smile, give us a call at 215-898-PDFP.
Chipped Tooth | Chipped Teeth
