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What Are Your Options for Chipped Tooth Treatment?

What Are Your Options for Chipped Tooth Treatment?Photo from Unsplash

Originally Posted On: https://slonedental.com/what-are-your-options-for-chipped-tooth-treatment/

 

Oro-dental trauma can result due to injury to the teeth, mouth, or oral cavity. Unfortunately, about 20% of people suffer an oro-dental trauma at some point in their life. For example, you might chip a tooth and require treatment.

What chipped tooth treatment options should you look for in Lexington, KY? Keep reading to find out!

After reading this guide, you can visit a dentist or cosmetic dentistry practice to fix your tooth. Then, you can improve your smile, benefiting your oral health and self-confidence in the process. Read on to learn more.

Dental Filling or Bonding

If you’ve only broken a small piece of tooth enamel, your dentist might recommend a filling to repair the damage. However, the procedure your dentist recommends might vary based on the placement of the chipped tooth. For example, they might recommend bonding for chipped teeth that are visible when you smile.

Dental bonding involves using tooth-colored resin to repair the damage.

Don’t worry; bonding is a simple procedure. Your dentist likely won’t need to numb the tooth, either.

During the procedure, your dentist will first need to etch the tooth’s surface with a liquid or gel. This process ensures the tooth is rough enough that the bonding material will stick in place.

Next, they’ll need to apply an adhesive material to the tooth. Finally, your dentist will apply the resin and ensure it matches the color of your natural teeth. They’ll shape the bonding material to ensure it looks like a real tooth, too.

Once they have the right shape, your dentist will use an ultraviolet light to harden the material.

Dental Crowns

Your dentist might recommend more extensive dental treatments if a larger piece of the tooth broke off. For example, they might recommend dental crowns. Crowns are also ideal if the tooth has a lot of decay.

Your dentist will first need to file or grind part of the remaining tooth. Then, they can cover it with a crown. This tooth-shaped cap is designed to improve the tooth’s appearance and protect it from future harm.

Your dentist can use different materials for making the crown, including:

  • Resin
  • Ceramic
  • Metal
  • Porcelain fused to metal

Each material offers its own benefits. For example, all-metal crowns are the strongest.

If you lost a tooth that’s visible when you smile, however, your dentist might recommend a porcelain or resin crown instead. These materials can look nearly identical to your existing teeth.

In some cases, the top of a tooth is broken while the root is still intact. Your dentist might recommend root canal therapy in these instances (more on this below).

Dental Veneers

The global dental veneers market size could reach $2.3 billion by 2028. The growing popularity is likely due to their versatility. Dental veneers can help with chipped teeth, discoloration, abnormalities, and even uneven spacing.

If you chipped or broke one of your front teeth, visit your dentist to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for dental veneers. Veneers can restore your smile and the functionality of your teeth.

Veneers are made using porcelain or resin composite materials. They’re thin shells, colored to match your existing teeth. Veneers cover the whole front of a tooth, much like a fake nail.

For this procedure, your dentist will need to remove a small amount of tooth enamel. Then, they’ll make an impression of your tooth. A dental lab will then make the veneer using the impression.

Once the veneer is ready, your dentist will etch the surface of the tooth needing treatment. Then, they’ll use special cement to place the veneer onto the tooth.

Once the veneer is placed, your dentist will use a special light to harden the cement.

Root Canal Therapy

Remember, your dentist might recommend root canal therapy if the break is large enough to expose a tooth’s pulp. The pulp is the center of the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. Bacteria from your mouth could enter the break, infecting the tooth if you delay treatment.

Visit your dentist right away if your tooth:

  • Changes color
  • Hurts
  • Feels sensitive to hot/cold food or beverages

These symptoms indicate the pulp is either damaged or diseased. Without prompt treatment, the pulp tissue can decay. The tooth could become infected.

If the tooth is infected, your dentist might need to remove it. They might recommend a dental implant to replace the removed tooth.

Before that happens, talk to your dentist about root canal therapy. Root canal therapy will allow them to remove the dead pulp. Your dentist will clean the root canal and seal it to prevent further damage.

The procedure is no more painful than having a cavity filled.

Your dentist will then cover the tooth with a crown to protect it from future harm.

Dental Implants

Remember, your dentist might need to remove a tooth if it’s infected or badly damaged. In these instances, your dentist might recommend dental implants.

First, your dentist will need to place the implant, which looks like a small metal screw. Once your gums cover the implant, your dentist can place a dental crown over it. The implant and crown will function like your natural teeth.

This treatment option can restore the functionality and appearance of your smile if you’ve broken a tooth.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are ideal for fixing tooth holes. They can help protect an infected or cracked tooth.

A sealant will act as a barrier, protecting the tooth from cavity-causing bacteria. Your dentist can place the sealant on the back side of your premolars and molars.

Visit a Dentist for Your Chipped Tooth Treatment Options Today

Don’t let chipped or uneven teeth impact the appearance or functionality of your smile. Instead, talk to your dentist about chipped tooth treatment. With the right dental treatments, you can restore your smile before it causes further damage.

Otherwise, you might require more extensive treatment in the future.

Want to discuss your treatment options with your local dentist? We can’t wait to help.

Contact us today to get started.

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