Have you ever bitten down on a hard candy to the point that you broke off a piece of your tooth? Or maybe you’ve fallen down and injured a tooth? Whatever the case may be, having a chipped tooth is usually considered grounds to give your emergency dentist a call. If you don’t get this problem dealt with soon enough, the fracture could spread to the delicate center of the tooth, resulting in a severe toothache. Seeing your dentist as soon as you can is the best option. Here are a few choices you have when choosing how to correct your chipped tooth.
Direct Bonding
Direct bonding is the most conservative and cost-effective way of restoring your chipped tooth back to its former glory. Your dentist will apply a composite resin that can be shaded to match the exact color of the rest of your tooth. Using this putty-like substance, your dentist can then sculpt your tooth back to perfection. This procedure is quick and painless, and you can trust your results to last for up to a decade.
Veneer
A veneer is an ultra-thin ceramic covering that is bonded to the front of your tooth. It can completely mask the chip, as well as any other cosmetic flaws your tooth might have, such as being unevenly spaced or discolored. Your veneer will be custom-made to fit your tooth and your tooth alone. With proper care, you can expect your veneer to last for upwards of a decade, possibly even two.
Dental Crown
If you want to forget that your tooth was even chipped in the first place, a dental crown might be exactly what you need. A crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that sits atop a tooth to restore its original structure and function. Much like veneers, crowns are custom-made to suit your individual needs. The material they’re made of, dental porcelain, is famous for its durability, strength, and ability to perfectly recreate tooth enamel.
Dental Implant
Unfortunately, if you don’t get a chipped tooth treated in a timely manner, the injury could spread, resulting in the tooth needing to be extracted. On the bright side, there is a way to replace your missing tooth in a way that looks and feels completely natural: with a dental implant. During this procedure, a small titanium post will be inserted into your jawbone to mimic the structure of your lost tooth root. It will then be restored with a lifelike dental crown so that nobody will be able to tell it isn’t your natural tooth.
While dental implant technology has come far in recent decades, nothing compares to keeping your natural teeth for as long as possible. That’s why, when you have a chipped tooth, you should see your emergency dentist for treatment as soon as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Dennis E. Stansbury has been a dentist for 44 years and counting. He has achieved Fellowship status with the American College of Dentists. His practice offers same-day emergency treatment to deliver top-notch care right when you need it. If you have a chipped tooth in the Tyler, TX area, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Stansbury at (903) 561-1122.