Correcting A Chipped Tooth
Having a tooth that is chipped can affect the look of your smile. However, there are multiple ways to repair a chipped tooth and restore the uniformity of your teeth. Here are a few of them.
The Repair of the Tooth with Composite Dental Bonding Material
Composite dental bonding material is a resin-based application. The bonding material can be added to the chipped tooth and molded into place. The tooth is etched prior to the addition of the bonding material to ensure that the tooth's surface is rough enough to allow the adherence of the composite material.
After the composite bonding material is in place, it is hardened by its exposure to an ultraviolet light. The hardened material is then polished so that its luminescence matches that of natural tooth enamel.
Once the composite bonding material is properly in place, the chipped tooth is fully restored. The bonding material is hard enough to withstand the normal bite pressure associated with mastication. In addition, it is difficult to discern from natural tooth enamel.
The Covering of the Tooth With a Dental Crown
A dental crown can be used to encircle the tooth, fully covering the chip. As a result, a crown is often the best option for a large chip that may compromise the integrity or health of the tooth.
Some small chips are only superficial. However, other chips may be large enough to weaken the tooth or expose the underlying layers of the tooth material to oral bacteria that could cause an infection.
Crowns can be made of multiple durable, strong, tooth-colored materials, such as porcelain-over-metal or all-porcelain. The material of the crown fortifies the tooth to protect it from further damage.
The Concealing of the Chip with a Dental Veneer
A dental veneer is a thin, tooth-shaped device that is made of tooth-colored porcelain or resin. The device is affixed to the front of the chipped tooth, effectively concealing the tooth's damage.
A bit of material is removed from the surface of the damaged tooth to ensure that the dental veneer appears natural and does not alter the natural bite line. Thus, the veneer is considered permanent. Nevertheless, if the device becomes damaged, it can be replaced by another veneer.
Due to the hardness of the veneer material, the damaged tooth is strengthened by the veneer's placement.
If you have chipped a tooth, contact a dentist in your local area, such as at Kemper Pond Dental, to schedule an appointment.