How to Fix a Chipped Tooth?

Your tooth enamel is quite strong and is not easy to break. However, it is also not impossible. At times, injury or biting on a hard item can cause a tooth to break, fracture, or become chipped. Damage to the teeth can be quite anxiety-inducing. If you have broken front teeth then it will also impact the quality of your smile. Fortunately, there are methods to fix a broken tooth.

Causes of Broken or Chipped Teeth

Here are the most common reasons for experiencing a broken, fractured, or chipped tooth:

Biting in hard foods like candy, popcorn kernels, or ice
Teeth grinding or bruxism
Certain habits like chewing gum or ice
Age (people over the age of 50 years will often report tooth cracks)
Large dental fillings or root canal therapy may weaken the tooth
Trauma to the teeth such as during sports, car and bike accidents, or physical violence

Teeth with Most Likeliness to get Fractured or Chipped

Fractures of the top front teeth and the teeth toward the back of your lower jaw are the most common (mandibular molars). Though most people only fracture one tooth, more serious injuries or trauma might result in many teeth being fractured. Even with a less severe impact, people suffering from cavities are more likely to fracture their teeth.

How do Dentists Fix a Chipped Tooth?

It depends on the severity of the damage. If only a small bit of the enamel has broken away, a dentist may usually repair the tooth in only one dental session.

A seriously fractured or damaged tooth, on the other hand, may necessitate a more expensive procedure requiring more than one visit. Here are some options for repairing a chipped or damaged tooth that your dentist may suggest:

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is an ideal solution when the damage is minimal. If you have damaged the front teeth, then the dentist will use composite resin, which is a tooth-colored material. Since it matches the natural teeth easily, it will be hard to determine any change to the front teeth; hence, maintaining the appeal of your smile.

Benefits of Dental Bonding

It is a versatile procedure that can be performed for an array of dental issues, including but not limited to chipped teeth, gaps, discoloration, etc.
Bonding is considered one of the most affordable cosmetic dental procedures.
Among numerous cosmetic dental procedures, bonding is considered minimally invasive. You can also get it removed without damaging your teeth permanently.
Getting dental bonding doesn’t require a lot of time. In fact, you can get multiple teeth bonded during a single session.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are also a great option for chipped or broken front teeth. These are thin shells made out of composite resin or porcelain applied on the surface of the tooth. Again, using composite resin or porcelain makes the dental veneers hard to detect.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

Veneers are highly convenient. They do not require special care or maintenance.
They look and feel natural. It is hard to distinguish them from natural teeth.
Dental veneers are also suitable for other oral health issues, including chips, cracks, and gaps.
They do require excessive enamel removal.
They are long-lasting. You can expect them to serve you for over a decade.

Dental Crown

A dental crown is used when you have lost a significant amount of the tooth after breaking, fracturing, or chipping it. The dentist will file the tooth and then cover it with a dental crown, which will protect it from further damage and preserve its function. In case, the damage to the tooth is deep enough that it has reached the pulp, then the dentist will perform a root canal therapy

Benefits of Dental Crown

It is also suitable for treating a decayed tooth.
It protects the tooth from getting more damaged.
It can be used to cover a dental implant.
A dental crown also helps with improving the appearance of the impacted tooth by changing its color or shape.

Dental Implants

If the tooth has been severely impacted and no other treatment can work, your dentist may opt for dental implants. It is the measure of the last resort when there’s very little part of the tooth is present above the gumline. In this condition, the dentist removes the tooth and attaches the implant after it has healed. Then, they place a tooth implant onto the post.

Benefits of Dental Implants

It is a long-lasting option.
It looks similar to natural teeth.
A dental implant can improve mouth functions.
This treatment has proven to be effective in preventing bone loss.
An implant is easy to care for. You just have to care for it as you do it for your natural teeth.

If you have chipped or broken your tooth, there are certain measures you can take but these do not fix broken teeth. For pain, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. You can rinse your mouth with salt water to reduce the risk of infection, place a piece of sugarless gum or wax paraffin to protect your tongue and cheek from the sharp edges of a broken tooth, and eat soft foods and not bite with the damaged tooth. However, you must see a dentist as soon as possible.

Sue Vetter offers quality and affordable dental care in Seattle, including broken or chipped/cracked tooth treatment and front tooth repair. Call or visit us to learn more or book your appointment.

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