Think about how many times per day you rely on your teeth. You use them to chew breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. You press your tongue against them to make certain sounds when you speak. There's really no doubt about it — your teeth are important, and they deserve your respect. You can pay them that respect by visiting your dentist for regular cleaning and checkup appointments. You should also call at the first sign of dental pain, tooth discoloration, or other oral health changes. Read more about dentists and dentistry here on this blog, where we dive deep into related topics.
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Are you tired of looking in the mirror and seeing a chipped tooth each time you smile? This little abnormality can make you feel self-conscious, even if you know there's nothing to be ashamed of. Luckily, there are a few different techniques cosmetic dentists can use to fix or at least camouflage the chip.
Bonding
Bonding is essentially the same as filling, but the term bonding is used when the dentist is addressing something other than a cavity. Basically, your dentist will use a tooth-colored composite to fill in the chipped area. This procedure is fairly straightforward and should be painless. Depending on the size and location of the chip, your dentist may give you a little local anesthetic so they can abrade away a little of the tooth around the chip to make the area easier to fill. You can go right back to your normal eating and brushing routine as soon as the procedure is over.
A Crown
If the chip is larger or extends into the deeper layers of your tooth, your dentist may worry that bonding won't give the tooth enough strength to resist additional chipping. They may instead recommend a crown, which is basically a cap placed over the tooth. If it's a front tooth you're worried about, they'll use a tooth-colored porcelain or composite to make the crown so that the result looks like a natural tooth.
Generally, getting a crown is a 2-step process. First, your dentist will grind down the tooth a little to make space for the crown. Then, they'll make a mold for the crown and cover your tooth with a temporary crown. You'll return a few days later to have the permanent crown put into place.
Veneers
If the chip is tough to correct with bonding but a crown is not needed for stability, your dentist may recommend veneers. Basically, veneers are covers that fit over the front of the tooth only. When someone looks at you, they'll see the perfect veneer — not the chipped tooth right behind it. If you have other tooth issues you'd like to hide, such as staining or slight crookedness, veneers can allow you to hide all these issues along with the chip. They are permanent, but they won't interfere with your lifestyle much. You'll have to avoid really crunchy things like ice and hard candy, but you should be able to eat most anything else.
Rather than going on living with a chipped tooth, talk to your cosmetic dentist about these solutions. They can advise you as to which option is best for you.
To learn more, contact a resource like Pinon Hills Dental.
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