A chipped tooth is often the most undesirable calamity one can think of. If you’re suffering from one, then we understand how frustrating it can be. Not only does it look disgusting, but it can also be quite painful. But don’t worry – there are ways to fix a chipped tooth that are both easy and affordable if you luckily live in Houston or nearby areas.
Let’s find out.
What Is a Chipped Tooth?
A chipped tooth is a break in the hard outer layer of your tooth. This usually happens if you bite down on something hard or fall and hit your mouth. Chipped teeth are usually not serious and can be fixed with dental bonding or veneers. However, if the chip is large or deep, you may need a crown or implant to repair it.
Why does it Occur in the First Place?
There are many reasons why you might chip your tooth. Biting down on something hard, like ice or candy, is one of the most common causes. Other causes include:
- Falling and hitting your mouth
- Getting hit in your mouth with a hard object
- Grinding your teeth
- Eating hard foods
Getting Chipped Tooths Fixed
The size and depth of the chip determine the suitable treatment for fixing the tooth. Let’s look at some of the popular ones in Houston:
Bonding
If the damage is to a front tooth or can be observed when you smile, your dentist will most likely utilize a bonding technique involving a tooth-colored composite resin. Bonding is the simplest procedure that does not require numbing the tooth. A dentist first etches a tooth’s surface with a liquid or gel to roughen it and allow the bonding substance to adhere.
Next, the dentist uses an adhesive substance over the tooth and a tooth-colored resin. After shaping it to resemble a natural tooth, the dentist hardens the bonding material with ultraviolet light.
Dental Veneers
A dental veneer is a thin, artificial covering custom-fitted to your tooth’s surface. When placed over a chipped or fractured front tooth, it may be used to make it seem healthy and perfect. Veneers resin composite or porcelain manufactured are personalized in a laboratory to match your unique demands. They are then applied over your chipped tooth using special cement.
Dental Crown
A dental crown is another useful technique to fix chipped tooths. However, there are two circumstances concerning the use of this technique. Firstly, let’s talk about what happens when a person loses a significant portion of his/her tooth. In such a case, your dentist may file down part of the other tooth and cap it with a crown to ensure it is protected, continues to function, and improves its aesthetic appearance.
On the other hand, the procedure is a bit different if the harm is significant enough to expose the pulp within the tooth. In such a case, you might get pulp damage or infection. If the pulp within the tooth dies or decays, your dentist may need to first remove it via root canal treatment. The dentist will then crown the tooth afterward.
Root canal therapy
A root canal is another extensive therapy for fixing chipped tooths. Here is how it works:
- First, the dead pulp is removed
- Your root canal is cleaned and sealed.
- A dentist or an endodontist performs endodontic therapy.
Most root canal therapies are not painful as having a cavity filled. The remaining teeth must be restored with a crown to protect the vulnerable tooth in most circumstances.
Conclusion
A chipped tooth can exacerbate your living conditions. Not only it’ll make eating difficult, but you might even have trouble moving your jaw. But not anymore. Make your life easy by reaching out to Pearl Shine Dental Clinic in Houston – where our experienced orthodontics provide quality tooth treatment.