A tooth can become chipped due to things like facial trauma, an improper bite or chomping down on a hard object like a meat bone. When this happens, it leaves behind a rough edge that can not only cut or scrape your tongue but also cause tooth sensitivity or pain. Fortunately, at Andover Smiles, Dr. Rinaldi can use a variety of methods to repair a chipped tooth.
Enamel Recontouring
This non-invasive and painless procedure effectively re-shapes the chipped tooth. Enamel recontouring is often used to smooth down the chipped edge. It can also be used to remove a small portion of tooth enamel in preparation for placing a porcelain laminate, also known as a veneer, over the chipped tooth.
Veneers
These dental devices consist of very thin shells made from a composite of resin and porcelain. As stated above, your dentist will remove a small amount of tooth enamel before placement to ensure that they bond to your teeth. Veneers are custom-tailored to mimic the shape, size and color of your other teeth. Furthermore, because they look exactly like natural, healthy teeth, nobody will ever know they are not real. Veneers are an effective and long-term solution to chips, but they can also be used to mask misshapen, stained or crooked teeth.
Dental Bonding
This is one of the most common treatments for a chipped tooth. This process uses a tooth-colored synthetic resin to build onto the chipped edge. However, instead of the time-consuming process of taking dental impressions and sending them to a lab for production, as with some other methods, your dentist can attach the dental bonding in just one visit. The material is placed onto the affected tooth, carefully sculpted and then buffed to a shiny, enamel-like finish.
Dental Implants
If a large enough portion of your tooth chips off, veneers and dental bonding will not be sufficient for repairing the damage. In these cases, dental implants can provide a more permanent and effective solution. To do this, an orthodontist removes the tooth and inserts a titanium rod in its place. Next, an artificial tooth is mounted on the rod, which looks just like a natural tooth. The main downfall is that dental implants are costly and can take several months to complete.
Crowns
Dental crowns are affordable, simple to place and are often preferred over tooth extraction. While these are typically used to strengthen a tooth or protect it against further damage, they are also an effective means of addressing chips. With this procedure, your dentist will grind down the surface of the tooth, and then place an artificial cap over it to make it look like your own real tooth.
If you have a chipped tooth, our team at Andover Smiles can help. We will work with you to determine the safest and most effective treatment for your needs. We give every patient the VIP Treatment to ensure you get the best possible results. Contact Andover Smiles today to schedule your consultation.
