Dealing with a chipped tooth may seem like a minor inconvenience until it happens to you. Suddenly, you worry about the strange line of your broken enamel or avoid smiling so no one notices the problem. Fortunately, multiple treatments can repair a chipped tooth, depending on which option is best for your needs.
Downtown Dental Studio provides multiple services that could help deal with chipped teeth. Our providers—Fadi Beydoun, DMD, MS, Alexander Kimon, DMD, and Karina Zaygermakher, DMD—want you to get the treatment you need so you can feel good emotionally and physically after a dental accident.
Five percent of all dental injuries are fractured teeth, most of which occur in younger populations like children. The issue can occur as the result of a sports injury or devastating accident, but it can also happen completely out of the blue.
Often, chipped teeth will hurt or feel sensitive. This is a sign that the pulp inside has become exposed or compromised, which means you must repair your tooth immediately to avoid infection and other problems. Still, even if your tooth doesn’t hurt, this doesn’t mean you are free to go without treatment.
Chipped teeth can be deceivingly weak, and a bite into a hard or chewy food item can compromise the whole tooth. In addition, a chipped tooth can cut the inside of your mouth, creating problems.
Finally, even if you think your injured tooth isn’t creating an issue for you, it very well may be. Having a chipped tooth can cause problems for your self-esteem, making you avoid smiling or talking. It can also make speaking, chewing, and other normal activities harder. Therefore, it’s always better to seek treatment for a chipped tooth.
Bonding is a quick, in-office procedure for managing a chipped tooth. It’s usually best for cosmetic chips, although it can also protect tooth roots that may have become exposed.
Dental bonding involves taking a resin and applying it to your tooth. The resin is color-matched, hardened, and shaped so that it matches the other teeth, giving a natural look. It's a great option because it’s usually very affordable and minimally invasive for repairing a minorly chipped tooth.
Veneers involve placing very thin porcelain pieces over your natural teeth. They give your entire smile a more uniform, Hollywood look. For people who have a chipped tooth that makes them self-conscious but who also want a better smile overall, veneers are a great choice.
Of course, you can also have only one veneer placed on one tooth if you're otherwise satisfied with your teeth. Veneers are usually a bit more expensive than other options, but they're long-lasting, and you can expect them to provide an optimal solution for one tooth or your whole smile.
What if the chip on your tooth has created a serious situation, causing weakness, exposed pulp, or a concern that the entire tooth might break? If this is the case, a dental crown is usually the way to go.
Dental crowns are pricier, and the procedure is more involved than bonding or veneers. But this option can fortify a weakened tooth, protecting it during normal activities like eating and talking.
Of course, each case is different, and not everyone can seek the same treatment for their chipped teeth. It's best to consult a provider when the accident occurs. This way, you can get the proper help right away.
Call 212-964-3337 now, or make an appointment online to visit us at our New York City, NY, office in the Financial District. We're here to protect your smile!
