Did you know that tooth enamel is the hardest and strongest material in the human body? Yet it can still be vulnerable to chipping and breaking. Some people have naturally thin enamel especially with age, while others experience accidents that may cause the teeth to crack or fracture.
But whether you have a small tooth chip or a considerably large tooth fracture, there are several ways that your dentist can go about fixing it. Read along to learn more about chipped teeth repair — from simple tooth polishing to full dental crowns, and what could be the best option for you. So let’s get started.
Causes of Chipped Teeth
There are many reasons why one may experience chipped teeth. Common causes include:
- Weakened teeth due to ageing
- Advanced tooth decay
- Biting down on hard substances
- Significant consumption of sugary, acidic, and spicy foods
- Falls or accidents
- Playing contact sports
- Teeth grinding
- Medical issues such as acid reflux, heartburn, and eating disorders causing vomiting
Chipped Teeth Repair: What Should You Immediately Do?
Typically, minor tooth chips don’t require immediate dental visits, while those of a larger size may need emergency dental care. Even then we understand that not everyone can schedule a dental appointment right away.
In that case, what you should do is clean your mouth to prevent infection. Remove food particles or debris and gargle with a warm, salt solution to disinfect the mouth. If bleeding is present, control it by applying pressure on the area using gauze.
If you are experiencing pain, over-the-counter pain relievers may temporarily relieve any discomfort until you can get to the dentist for proper chipped tooth repair.
Chipped Teeth Repair: Dental Treatment Options
Once you get to your dental clinic, it’s always good to know what your dentist can do to repair your chipped tooth. The general rule is that the type of treatment depends on the amount of damage that needs to be restored. Let’s take a look.
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Polishing
If the chip on the tooth is very small, the dentist can slightly reshape and polish the tooth to make it look like nothing ever happened. No additional treatments are needed so this is a conservative and inexpensive solution.
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Tooth Bonding
For minor tooth damage, tooth bonding is the more practical option. This treatment uses tooth-coloured composite filling that is moulded and shaped to restore any chip or fracture. Treatment can usually be carried out in one dental visit.
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Dental Veneers
If you want a more natural-looking restoration for your chipped teeth, you can opt for a porcelain dental veneer. This treatment may require some of your tooth enamel to be shaved off, so it’s an irreversible process. Then your dentist will take a tooth impression and send it to the laboratory to create your veneer.
When ready (usually several weeks later) your dentist will simply bond the veneer in place. The good news is that durable porcelain veneers can last you up to 30 years if well-maintained.
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Dental Onlay
For a large chip on the back tooth or molars, dental onlays would be more advisable than simple fillings. Onlays are made of even more durable material and are lab-processed so their strength and long-term reliability are guaranteed.
With that, onlays can effectively restore the function of a molar tooth and help it continue with its normal functions such as biting and chewing for a longer time.
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Dental Crowns
Your last option is the dental crown. This is recommended for larger tooth fractures that may or may not involve the pulp. A dental crown is a tooth “cap” that is placed over a vulnerable tooth to keep it protected and restore its beauty and function.
Dental crowns are the ideal repair for broken teeth with pulp exposure. For this, your dentist will perform routine root canal therapy before proceeding with the dental crown treatment.
Dental Crowns for Chipped Tooth Repair
There are many reasons why dental crowns are your best bet when it comes to repairing a large cracked tooth.
A dental crown can be made of various materials — metal alloys, porcelain, zirconia, and even gold. These materials have their pros and cons and have varying price points. So, you can select a material that meets your expectations while accommodating your budget.
For back teeth, or teeth that aren’t in your smile line, a low-cost dental crown may be porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM for short). PFM has a metal substructure that highlights reliable durability, and a porcelain outer surface that helps it look natural. Because of these reasons, PFM dental crowns are among the popular choices for dental crown restoration.
Meanwhile, the most aesthetically-pleasing porcelain dental crown is the go-to for patients who have chipped off a large portion of the front teeth. Porcelain can mimic the translucency of your natural tooth. So with porcelain dental crowns, the restoration will seamlessly blend with your smile.
Because a dental crown covers the whole tooth, the damaged tooth is completely protected. Moreover, a dental crown prevents further damage that may result in possible tooth extraction.
So if you have larger tooth chips or fractures, call your dentist for an urgent visit and ask about how dental crowns can help your problem.
Restore Your Smile With No Gaps Dental
No Gaps Dental offers a wide range of solutions to repair your chipped teeth. We also have several types of material that you can choose from so you can select one that truly suits your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
As for our dental crown treatment, you can trust that our dentists have reliable knowledge and artistic ability to create dental crowns that will beautifully complement your smile. We also have CEREC technology available in many of our dental clinics for high-quality dental crowns completed in a single visit.
To know more about our options for chipped tooth repair and our other dental treatments, call us today at (02) 8007 6727.
References
PubMed – Tooth Enamel and its Dynamic Protein Matrix
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32585904/
PubMed – Age-induced changes in the teeth and their attachment apparatus
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6579031/
PubMed – Dental erosion and acid reflux disease: an overview
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19552365/#:~:text=The%20pH%20of%20stomach%20acid,severe%20loss%20of%20tooth%20structure.
Healthline – How Long Can You Expect Veneers to Last?
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-do-veneers-last
Healthline – Onlay vs. Crown
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/onlay-vs-crown
WebMD – Dental Crowns
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-crowns#:~:text=a%20Dentist%20Visit-,What%20Types%20of%20Crowns%20Are%20Available%3F,all%20resin%2C%20or%20all%20ceramic