Cosmetic dentistry can offer a solution to many dental issues, including chipped and broken teeth. In this article, we discuss which procedures dentists commonly use to restore chipped teeth and what to do when you chip a tooth.
What to Do When You Chip a Tooth?
If your tooth gets chipped, the first thing to do is to schedule a visit to a dentist. We advise you to find a dental office with emergency services and go there straight away if you experience symptoms such as:
- Acute pain
- Breeding
- Exposure of the tooth pulp
Other steps you should take when you chip a tooth include:
- Rinse your mouth with a saltwater solution to kill bacteria.
- Apply a cold compress to the outer side of your mouth to reduce pain and swelling.
- Apply dental wax or sugarless gum to the sharp edges of the chipped tooth to avoid damaging soft tissue in your mouth.
- Take other-the-counter pain medication, such as Ibuprofen, if you experience severe or persistent pain.
If you can, collect the chipped-off piece of the tooth and bring it to the dental office b. Anxperienced dentist can bond it witohe tooth.
They can use one of several methods to restore a chipped tooth:
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a method of dental restoration that uses resin composite to restore the teeth. Resin composite can be molded to replace a missing part of the tooth or to bond the chipped-off piece back to the tooth.
Resin composite can be matched to the color of your natural teeth, so it is usually not noticeable in the mouth. Also, fixing a chipped tooth with resin composite is less expensive than getting dental veneers, so this is an excellent option for those with limited budgets.
Dental bonding can last between 3 to 10 years, depending on the patient’s lifestyle, dietary habits, and oral hygiene habits. Dental bonding also has other applications in cosmetic dentistry. For instance, it can mask stains and discoloration on teeth and help adjust the size or shape of teeth.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are thin shells, usually made of porcelain, that cover the outward-facing surface of the teeth. However, resin composite veneers are also available. This option is going to be cheaper than porcelain veneers but also less durable.
Unlike dental bonds, which are typically only applied to a part of the tooth, dental veneers cover its entire front side. Dental veneers can not bond the chipped pieces back to the tooth. Rather, they would be used to cover the issue.
Porcelain is a stain-resistant and durable material that looks natural in the mouth due to its tooth-like translucency. You can choose the color and shade of your veneers to match them to the rest of your teeth.
Due to the durability of porcelain, dental veneers can last for up to 15 years with proper care. However, getting dental veneers is an irreversible procedure because a small portion of the tooth’s enamel has to be removed for the veneers to fit. This means that once you start wearing veneers, you will have to continue wearing them for the remainder of your life, replacing them with a new set when needed.
Dental veneers are commonly used to solve other cosmetic issues such as stained or discolored teeth, unevenly sized teeth, and gaps between the teeth.
Dental Crowns
A dentist may use a dental crown to restore a tooth in cases when a large piece of the tooth is chipped and the tooth requires additional support. In such cases, you might also require root canal therapy before a crown can be placed.
Dental crowns can be made of a variety of materials, such as porcelain, composite, silver, and even gold. Porcelain crowns are the most natural-looking while providing reliability, stain resistance, and durability. Dental crowns can last as long as 20 years with proper care.
Root Canal Therapy
You may need root canal therapy to treat a chipped tooth if the inner chambers, roots, or canals of the tooth face damage. During the procedure, your doctor will remove the damaged pulp and seal the canals with special dental material. Then, the tooth can be restored with one of the methods mentioned above.
Get High-Quality Cosmetic Procedures at TruGlo Morent Dental
If your tooth gets chipped, do not hesitate to call our office and make an appointment with an experienced dentist. We offer a variety of cosmetic procedures and will provide an effective solution for your dental issue.