You bite into something hard, your toddler whacks you in the face with a toy, you take an elbow to the mouth in a sporting match – any of these situations can result in a chipped tooth. Often, it’s a noticeable front tooth that suffers the damage, so what often matters most is getting this embarrassing problem fixed quickly. Here are just some of the cosmetic dentistry solutions that are used to fix a chipped tooth.
1. Tooth Bonding
Cosmetic tooth bonding is the ideal solution for a jagged or chipped tooth because it is fast, affordable, and non-invasive. In one dental visit, your minor dental damage can disappear. This procedure is simple and easy, but it does require a Manhattan cosmetic dentist’s practiced hand so you can be sure that you will have a natural-looking solution.
Bonding is done with tooth-colored composite resin – the same kind of material used for tooth-colored fillings – so it blends nicely into your existing enamel and can be easily color-matched. The surface of the tooth is etched so it is prepped for the bonding to adhere to it. The adhesive material is applied, followed by a tooth-colored resin that is then shaped and hardened with an ultraviolet light.
2. Porcelain Veneers
A chipped tooth may be the invitation you needed to finally take the plunge with porcelain veneers as a complete smile makeover across the entire visible top arch of your smile. However, even if you only opt for one veneer to fix your chipped tooth, the solution will look natural and completely conceal the damage that was done.
Veneers are made of super-thin pieces of porcelain, each customized in size, shape, and color to cover the front of a tooth and make it look better. They are customized in a dental lab and, once ready, permanently bonded to your tooth. Veneers are an incredibly durable cosmetic dentistry solution, so if you’re worried about damaging your tooth again, this smile makeover will hold up nicely.
3. Porcelain Crown
When you have a more severe chip in your tooth, if the chip is in a molar, or if the chip has left your tooth weak or structurally unsound, your NYC dentist may recommend a porcelain crown. This customized repair will fit snugly over the damaged tooth and its exterior will be shaped and colored to match the rest of your smile, so it blends right in.
Sometimes crowns are also recommended if the tooth is badly cracked in addition to the chip. When this is the case, the tooth is in danger of breaking further and is susceptible to bacteria and food particles getting inside. A customized crown covers everything to prevent further problems from developing.
4. Dental Implant
If a tooth is so severely chipped that the crack extends below the gumline, there is a good chance the tooth will not be salvageable. Your dentist will do everything possible to save your natural tooth before resorting to extraction. Root canal therapy is usually the first line of defense when the damage goes deep. If necessary, though, the tooth will be pulled and replaced, ideally with a permanent dental implant, which replaces both tooth root and crown for a complete and long-lasting dental restoration.
Fix a Chipped Tooth with Cosmetic Dentistry
Do you have a chipped tooth? Submit a Smile Virtual request to get things started and receive a personalized video message from Dr. Wei to find out what solutions are right for you, or schedule an in-person consultation to get a repair right away.
