3 Ways a Dentist May Fix a Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth tends to occur at the worst possible times. It might be a result of getting hit in the face while playing a contact sport or biting into hard candy. Chipped teeth require treatment regardless of how minor they might seem. The damage usually removes portions of enamel, creating a weak point for acids to attack the tooth. As a result, a chipped tooth is more susceptible to tooth decay than a healthy one.
Treatments that a dentist might recommend for a chipped tooth
Dentists have several treatments at their disposal that can be used to restore chips. The severity of the damage to the patient’s tooth often determines which treatments are recommended by the dentist. Factors like how much the patient is willing to pay also play a role. Popular treatments for chipped tooth include the following.
1. Composite bonding
This process involves applying a composite resin made from mixtures of plastics and glass. The composite is color-matched with the rest of the patient’s teeth so any repairs made do not stick out. Applying a composite to a person’s tooth is a non-invasive treatment, so it can be replaced if a better solution is developed in the future.
The process starts with the dentist preparing the patient’s tooth for the procedure by removing any debris left in the tooth and cleaning the area. An etching solution that consists of about 35% of phosphoric acid is then used to roughen the outer surface of a tooth. It leads to a better bond with the composite.
The putty-like resin is applied to the tooth and shaped as desired. It is hardened with a curing light and polished to finish the process. The entire process takes about 45 minutes.
2. Veneers
A veneer is a tooth-shaped shell that is cemented to the front side of a tooth. It is used to hide flaws like a chipped tooth. The veneer looks like a real tooth, so it is virtually impossible to tell that the patient has had any work done on their teeth. The process of getting veneers typically requires two trips to the dentist. During the first visit, the patient’s tooth is prepared for the restoration by removing portions of enamel.
3. Crowns
Dental crowns are versatile restorations that can be used to address severely chipped teeth. These restorations completely cover the visible part of a tooth and hide its flaws. A crown also protects the tooth from irritants in the mouth, like acids and bacteria. It is a long-lasting solution for a chipped tooth.
Get your chipped teeth fixed
Tired of your chipped tooth ruining the way that your smile looks? Give us a call or visit our Scarsdale clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.thescarsdaledentist.com or call The Scarsdale Dentist at (914) 491-5802 for an appointment in our Scarsdale office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth in Scarsdale, NY.
Related Posts
Replacing your missing tooth protects your dental health while restoring the appearance of your smile. Replacing a lost tooth with an oral prosthetic often starts with a consultation with a dentist. The dentist evaluates the patient’s teeth and gums before recommending missing teeth replacement options that are best suited for them.Consulting with a dentist about…
When a tooth develops a cavity, a tooth filling will be required to repair the tooth and restore its function and appearance. Since tooth pain is often the first sign of a cavity, it is normal for patients to be worried about what they will feel during the filling procedure. This article focuses on what…
With all the different specialties in dentistry, it is hard to know what is handled by your general dentist and what is handled by a specialist. This makes it more difficult than it should be to figure out who to consult when you have a problem or potential issue with your oral health. To help…
We all try our best to look out for our oral health, but the only way to truly keep up with our oral health is with preventative care provided by a general dentist. Brushing and flossing and oral hygiene are important, but there is so much that a dentist does that accounts for keeping us…