A general dentist can help you to restore the appearance of chipped or broken teeth. Teeth are extremely strong, but they can still break, fracture or chip under certain conditions like old fillings, tooth decay, trauma to the face or biting into something hard.
A tooth being chipped does not automatically lead to pain. Minor damage that only affects the outer layer of teeth called enamel typically does not cause pain, while more severe chips that affect the inner layers of a tooth typically cause some pain and discomfort. A chipped tooth that comes with extreme pain or bleeding requires emergency dental care.
Here are some of the treatments a general dentist can use to treat a chipped tooth and restore its appearance:
If the damage to a tooth only affects its outer layer, a dentist might be able to restore the tooth's appearance by reshaping its enamel. This process involves the dentist smoothing out any sharp edges created by the damage and polishing the tooth.
Here is another treatment that can be used to treat a chipped tooth. It is a non-invasive process that involves applying a composite to the damaged area and reshaping it as needed. The color of the composite can be matched with the color of the patient's teeth so the repaired tooth does not look out of place.
The dentist prepares the tooth for the bonding process by roughening its surface with an etching solution. This allows the composite to adhere better to the tooth. The putty-like composite is then applied to the tooth in layers. Each layer is hardened with a curing light before proceeding to the next layer. When the process is complete, the dentist polishes the tooth. The entire process takes about 45 minutes per tooth.
Veneers are thin shells that are placed on the front part of teeth. They hide any flaws on the teeth behind them, creating improved aesthetics. A veneer can be used to fix a chipped tooth if the damage is concentrated in the front part of the tooth.
The installation of veneers requires the removal of small portions of enamel, so the tooth will always need to be protected with a restoration from that point.
These versatile restorations are used for severe chips that affect the pulp chamber. This is where the tooth's blood vessels are housed. Damage that compromises the pulp chamber leaves its contents exposed to oral bacteria. It is only a matter of time before that leads to infection if the damaged tooth is left untreated.
A crown completely covers the damaged tooth, protecting it from bacteria, acids and bite forces. It restores the way the tooth looks and its function.
Give us a call or visit our Visalia clinic if you have a chipped tooth. Our dentist will educate you about your best options.
Request an appointment here: https://www.dentistofvisalia.com or call Visalia Care Dental at (559) 975-1213 for an appointment in our Visalia office.
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