Chipped teeth are problematic. They’re uncomfortable to run your tongue against and they can detract from your smile. They make for an ideal area for cavities to develop. They can even lead to fracturing of the tooth, which in turn can lead to irreversible tooth loss if the fracture is deep enough.
The good news is that your chipped tooth can be fixed with dental bonding. This is one of the newer developments in dentistry, and it brings numerous cosmetic and functional benefits.
How Can Dental Bonding Fix a Chipped Tooth?
Teeth chip when microscopic imperfections develop in the enamel that encases the dentin of a tooth. These cracks may be relatively minor and harmless, such as when the corner of a front tooth chips, or they may be extremely detrimental to the overall health of a tooth, such as when a cusp fractures from a molar.
Traditional dentistry requires that a large portion of the tooth be removed. This is to allow items like onlays, crowns, and amalgam fillings to be shaped and affixed to the remaining tooth structure.
Dental bonding works differently, which is why it can be ideal for fixing a chipped tooth. The structure is prepared, and a minimal amount of healthy tooth tissue is removed.
A resin or porcelain material is added to the tooth and is then shaped and hardened by the introduction of ultraviolet light. During this process, the resin or porcelain bonds to the tooth tissue.
This bond is much stronger than glue, and it does not require a large amount of healthy tooth structure to be removed.
When chipped teeth only have minor damage, bonding makes for an ideal restoration. This repairs the structure and gives the tooth a heightened resistance to further fracturing.
The Advantages of Dental Bonding for a Chipped Tooth
Dental bonding was designed as an alternative to traditional restoration options. The unique nature this procedure employs allows it to display the following advantages:
- Less healthy tooth structure must be removed to complete the restoration.
- Bonding occurs at a cellular level, which in turn reinforces the remaining tooth structure.
- When prepared properly, bonding creates a permanent seal.
- Bonding can be as strong, if not stronger, than other methods of restoration when utilized to repair minor damage present on a tooth.
- Dental bonding lasts five years or more, which is comparable to the duration most amalgam fillings last.
- The material that bonds to the tooth can be of many different colors. This allows a restoration that is both aesthetically pleasing and sturdy.
Is Dental Bonding the Right Way to Fix Your Chipped Tooth?
Dental bonding represents one of the most versatile restoration procedures for a chipped tooth. It can repair much of the structural integrity that would be lost if the tooth was left untreated.
To determine if dental bonding is right for your chipped tooth, contact Andover Smiles. Located in North Andover, Dr. Rinaldi and his highly skilled team of professionals can assess the needs of your tooth before working with you to draft the most effective restoration plan for your specific smile.
Contact our office today to schedule your appointment!
