Treatment for Chipped Teeth
Most people don’t expect their teeth to become chipped or broken. Unfortunately, chipped teeth are more common than most people realize. It doesn’t take a major sports injury to compromise the structure of a tooth. A tooth can also be chipped due to a fall, biting down on a hard piece of candy, or using the teeth to open up a bottle.
Tooth enamel does not grow back, so dental treatment will be required to restore a chipped tooth. Cosmetic dentistry treatments conceal aesthetic flaws such as minor chips and fractures to enhance the appearance of the smile. However, deeper chips will require a dental restoration that strengthens and protects the tooth.
Dr. Daniel Whiteman offers a number of treatments for chipped teeth to give our Brookline, MA patients the care they need to sufficiently restore their smile.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Cosmetic dental bonding is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to repair a chipped tooth. During the dental bonding procedure, Dr. Whiteman applies a tooth-colored compound to the surface of the tooth. This compound is molded and shaped to replace the material that has chipped off the tooth.
Dental bonding treatment greatly improves the appearance of a tooth with a minor to moderate chip, but it may not offer sufficient repair of more significant dental damage. Patients should also keep in mind that dental bonding typically lasts between five and 10 years, so treatment will need to be repeated at some point.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are another potential treatment for chipped anterior teeth. Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin ceramic shells that bond to the front of the teeth.
Porcelain veneer treatment requires two dental appointments. An initial appointment is scheduled to prep the teeth for veneer placement, and a second procedure is scheduled to bond the permanent veneers in place.
Porcelain veneers are more durable than dental bonding and can last up to 20 years with proper care. However, patients should understand that porcelain veneers cost more than dental bonding.
Another benefit is that porcelain veneers completely conceal the facial surface of treated teeth, so they hide dental chips and any other cosmetic blemishes as well. Porcelain veneers can improve the shape, size, color, and overall appearance of the teeth.
Dental Crowns
Dental bonding and porcelain veneers both improve the appearance of a chipped tooth, but neither offers adequate protection if a chip is severe. Any chip that exposes the inner layer of the tooth will put that tooth at risk of serious decay or infection. In these cases, a dental crown may be the best way to restore the structure and beauty of the chipped tooth.
A dental crown is like a small ceramic cap that sits over the natural tooth. Prior to dental crown treatment, the tooth will be reshaped and any damaged tooth material will be removed.
The dental crown is bonded in place to restore tooth structure and provide a layer of protection that blocks harmful bacteria from reaching the pulp or roots of the tooth.
Schedule an Appointment
If you have a chipped or fractured tooth, Dr. Daniel Whiteman can provide the treatment you need to restore the strength, function, and beauty of your smile. To learn more about treatment for chipped teeth, and which may be right for you, schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience by calling (617) 731-4746.
