A chipped tooth is a common phenomenon. Although the tooth enamel is strong, it is still vulnerable to damages. You may experience a chipped tooth after biting on a hard substance or taking a fall. When this happens, you need to be aware of potential solutions that the dentist might recommend to restore the damaged tooth.
An evaluation by the dentist is the first step in the repair procedure. This is mainly to determine if the damage is cosmetic or if it is serious and the tooth roots are affected. The dentist will need to know how it happened and the extent of the pain. If there are no damages to the root of the tooth, the dentist will evaluate the best option for the patient. Sometimes, an X-ray may be required to get a better view of any underlying damage to the root or nerve.
If it is only a small chip, the dentist can simply contour the tooth edges to make it smoother. Alternatively, common treatments for a chipped tooth include the following.
If a part of the tooth enamel is chipped, the dentist can repair the damage with a dental filling. If a front tooth is involved, a tooth-colored composite resin can be used. Also called bonding, this procedure is relatively simple and requires no numbing agent.
The dentist will start the procedure by etching the tooth’s surface with a gel. Afterward, they will apply an adhesive material and then the resin. After shaping the resin to the desired shape, the dentist will harden the composite resin with ultraviolet light.
The severity of damage and the conspicuousness of the chipped tooth will determine the treatment choice. If only a small portion of the tooth is lost or if a front tooth is involved, dental bonding can be effective. The treatment can be completed in one dental appointment.
Veneers are an excellent choice for restoring the front teeth. They are thin shells usually made from porcelain material. They are used to cover the front surface of the affected tooth. Patients can opt for one veneer to repair a chip on one tooth or have the entire front teeth covered with veneers for a complete restoration.
Two dental visits are necessary to get veneers. In the first appointment, the dentist will remove the part of the tooth’s surface layer, take the color shade and make molds to fabricate the veneers. Temporary veneers are placed over the tooth. At the second visit, the temporary veneers are removed, and the new veneers are bonded permanently to the tooth with dental cement hardened with UV light.
If you have a chipped tooth that is making you feel self-conscious, you can visit the dentist for treatment to restore its appearance. You need to remember that restoring the appearance of the tooth is only part of the process. The appropriate option would be one that protects the tooth and prevents additional damage in the long term.
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