Tooth enamel is surprisingly one of the strongest substances. Enamel is the hard, outer shell that covers each tooth. This durable shield is very important because it protects the teeth from decay. Even though it is very tough, it does have limits. Unfortunately, if a tooth’s enamel is destroyed, the body does not replace it like many other parts of the body.
Despite the tooth being covered in this tough substance, it is not indestructible. It is actually common for people to get small chips in their teeth. A few causes of this dental concern include teeth grinding or a dental injury. Dr. Doyle Freano treats patients with chipped teeth in his Lexington, KY dental office.
Chipped Tooth Repair & Treatment
Dr. Freano offers several treatments to repair your chipped tooth. Treatment will be determined by the severity of the damage. A small chip can most likely be repaired in one visit but larger chips may require several visits to fix.
- Dental Filling: If you only chipped a small piece of enamel, Dr. Freano can repair it with a simple dental filling. This common dental procedure can be completed in a single visit.
- Dental Bonding: Tooth bonding is a quick repair for a chipped tooth, especially if it is located on the front teeth. Dr. Freano will apply a tooth-colored resin directly to the tooth and sculpt it into the desired shape. This is an inexpensive treatment that can be completed in a single visit but is not considered permanent.
- Porcelain Veneers: Dental veneers offer a more permanent solution for chipped teeth. A tooth veneer is an ultra-thin shell that is bonded to the front of a tooth to hide the damage. This treatment will take about two to three dentist appointments to complete.
- Dental Crown: Dental Crowns are used to “cap” a tooth that has been significantly chipped. Dr. Freano will place a custom dental crown over the chipped tooth to restore its strength and prevent further damage. This treatment will require two to three office visits to complete.
If you have a chipped tooth, it is important to know what to do to restore the tooth to its original state. Dr. Freano offers comprehensive dental treatments to restore a tooth that has been chipped. Most people will know they have a chipped tooth because they can easily feel the jagged edge with their tongue. Other symptoms include pain when biting down and irritation around the gums.
What To Do If You Have a Chipped Tooth
A small chip in your tooth may not seem like an emergency but it actually should be looked at as soon as possible. Most of the time it won’t even hurt but the true damage comes from ignoring the problem. Waiting to treat any teeth that are chipped may lead to further dental problems. It could become infected or allow bacteria to enter the tooth canal.
This can cause a lot of pain and possibly even lead to tooth loss. If any of your teeth become chipped, you should contact the office of Dr. Freano to have it looked at as soon as possible. He will be able to diagnose and determine the severity of the teeth that are chipped with a visual exam.
Chipped Tooth FAQs
Learn more about chipped teeth below:
What happens if you leave a chipped tooth untreated?
If you leave a chipped tooth untreated it may become infected and can cause other health issues over time. Infections may migrate to other parts of the body which can cause many more problems.
Can a chipped tooth grow back?
A chipped tooth cannot grow back. Dentists can do repairs to mold that tooth back to its original shape, but you only get two sets of teeth; your baby teeth and adult teeth. There are many options a dentist can offer you to fix a chipped tooth, but it will not grow back.
Is bonding the best option for a chipped tooth?
No, bonding is one of the less durable options for fixing a chipped tooth. They typically last between three and seven years with good care. Bonds can also chip which is another reason they are known to be a less durable option.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Contact our office for treatment today at 859-251-3809. You can also request a dental consultation with Dr. Freano on our website.