Whether it be from a sports injury when you were younger or weak enamel, a chipped tooth rarely makes for a healthy or picture-perfect smile. In fact, a chipped tooth can make you more susceptible to further problems, such as deeper cracks or nerve damage.
Luckily, you don’t have to go the rest of your life with part of your tooth missing. There are plenty of ways to fix chipped teeth and restore your smile.
How to Fix A Chipped Tooth
Dental Bonding
If the chip in your tooth is small and doesn’t present any major complications, it can likely be fixed with dental bonding. In this procedure, your dentist will take a mold of your teeth then use a blue light to place and harden a composite material over the chipped area to correct the damage.
This process results in a natural-looking tooth that can last for up to 10 years.
Dental Crowns
If a large area of your tooth has cracked, your dentist may opt to install a crown to repair the damage. A dental crown is a porcelain fixture that covers your entire tooth and can protect your tooth from further damage.
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are more commonly used when the crack in your tooth is more of a cosmetic problem versus one that could allow for more damage. Unlike crowns, veneers only cover the outward-facing side of your tooth to give it a smooth, natural-looking appearance.
Veneers offer a number of benefits. Beyond lasting anywhere between 10 and 20 years, they can be used to fix both the shape and color of your teeth. Talk about a triple threat!
Dental Implants
Your dentist will often suggest using a dental implant to fix a chipped tooth if the crack or chip goes down to your gum line — as this is when your tooth is most susceptible to nerve damage and decay. Typically, you will have the tooth removed and allow the space to heal before your dentist fits you for your implant.
This process takes the longest out of all your options, but it helps prevent your need for a future root canal and gives your tooth a natural-looking appearance.
Fix Your Chipped Tooth with Smiles by Jiveh
Through personalized, attentive care, Dr. Jiveh helps you feel confident in your choices as you adjust the position and look of your teeth. At Smiles by Jiveh, we combine cosmetic and general dentistry to result in a healthy and radiant smile.
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other dentistry-related topics, feel free to contact Smiles By Jiveh by clicking here or by calling (561) 798-9997.