Fixing a chipped tooth quickly is usually a priority for patients who come to us with this dental concern. Dental injuries from sports and leisure activities and using teeth as tools to bite and open hard substances can cause teeth to chip and sometimes result in a dental emergency. Believe it or not, there are a few different ways that can be employed to address a chip in your tooth. Let’s take a closer look at how to fix a chipped tooth, and why we generally favour dental veneers in these circumstances.
Why Do Teeth Get Chipped?
Dental enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and it does the important job of protecting and preserving your teeth. But even though it is so hard, it is not invincible and sometimes, it is possible to crack or chip it by
- Using your teeth to open containers
- Biting into really hard substances like ice or toffee apples
- Falling down and hitting your teeth on the ground / a hard substance
What Are The Consequences Of Chipped Teeth?
This depends on how much of the tooth has got chipped. If a large piece of the tooth is missing, it is possible that the tooth may be exposed. If a small amount has chipped off, it may make the tooth jagged and dangerous at the end. Either way, it is likely that the chipped piece will be noticeable to others, and that your dental symmetry may be out of balance.
It is important that chipped teeth be fixed, to prevent further damage occurring to the tooth, or to prevent the tooth from harming the other soft tissue in your mouth.
How To Fix A Chipped Tooth: Treatment Options
The most accurate way to ascertain how to address your chipped tooth is with a visit to the dentist. Your dentist will examine the damage and present you with a treatment plan that details the different methods that can address your chipped tooth, as well as the associated costs. You can discuss the merits of each treatment option with your dentist, and see what the long term outlook would be.
Dental bonding
If a small portion of the tooth has been chipped off, you may be a candidate for dental bonding. Your dentist will use composite resin to reconstruct the missing piece of the tooth before attaching it to your natural tooth. A blue light will be used to harden the resin. The resin may last up to ten years if the bonded area is small.
Dental crowns
If a much larger piece of your tooth has been broken off and the functionality of the tooth has been jeopardised, your dentist may recommend a dental crown.
Crowns are used for large restorations, when there is a significant piece of the tooth missing, and where the tooth may be weakened as a result.
A dental crown uses the natural tooth as infrastructure and can improve on the shape while strengthening the tooth. When well cared for, dental crowns can last for many years.
Porcelain veneers
Dental veneers, especially porcelain veneers, offer you the best long term strategy for a chipped tooth. Dental veneers are shells or covers that are placed over the whole tooth. Instead of addressing the crack, a dental veneer covers up the entire tooth and any imperfections that may be on it.
Veneers may be recommended if you have
- Chipped, cracked or fractured teeth where your dental enamel is compromised
- Discoloured teeth
- Small teeth that result in a gappy smile.
Porcelain veneers are considered the gold standard of dental veneers because they are strong, long-lasting and because they resemble natural teeth so closely. Porcelain veneers are also very stain resistant and can be matched very closely to the other teeth in your mouth.
Compared to dental veneers made from composite resin, porcelain veneers do not crack or chip. They will also outlast dental veneers made from composite resin, which tend to have a lifespan of a maximum of eight years. When well cared for, porcelain veneers can last for more than 25 years.
Dental veneers may seem expensive initially, but you need to offset their lifespan against their cost. While porcelain veneers may cost more than dental veneers made from composite resin, their extended lifespan means they are a good long term investment.
How To Fix A Chipped Tooth: Veneers Vs Bonding
With dental bonding, there is always a chance that the bonded portion can detach from the tooth. This can occur when biting into something hard or due to general wear and tear.
How To Fix A Chipped Tooth: Veneers Vs Crowns
Dental crowns are very long-lasting and can be matched to the other teeth in your mouth. If the chipped tooth presents more of a structural issue than an aesthetic concern, a dental crown may be better. If the chip is small enough not to present a structural problem, veneers can be used.
If you need help with fixing a chipped tooth or would like a second opinion when it comes to treatment options, please contact us for an appointment
Pyrmont: (02) 9158 6213
Illawong: (02) 9158 6756
Sylvania Waters: (02) 9159 6083
