Should You Repair or Replace a Chipped Tooth?
A chipped tooth can happen when you least expect it—biting down on something hard, an accidental fall, or an injury while playing sports. Small chips may not seem like a big deal, but they can impact your oral health later down the road. And, depending on where the chip is, it could affect your appearance, too.
Should you repair or replace the chipped tooth? Let’s discuss the options.
Repairing Your Chipped Tooth
Most dental professionals agree that if a natural tooth can be saved, it should be. With advanced restoration procedures, there are many ways to quickly and effectively restore a tooth’s functionality while maintaining its natural appearance. This is typically recommended when the root and the structure are strong and healthy.
Taking swift action prevents cracks from growing and deepening, as well as minimizing the risk of infection. Below are a couple of the most commonly used options for those seeking this conservative approach.
Dental Bonding
<p">This tooth-colored resin material is perfect for restoring small to moderate chips while maintaining the tooth’s natural aesthetics. It's a quick, painless procedure that can be completed in just one visit.
Dental Veneers
Veneers cover blemishes and imperfections—including a chip. While only covering the front of the tooth, this shell can provide you with a smooth, durable surface that improves strength and looks great, too.
Dental veneers are ideal for visible teeth.
Dental Crowns
Larger chips are likely going to require a dental crown. This covers the entire tooth, restoring its integrity and protecting it from any further damage. Crowns are especially helpful for molars that are subject to bite force. They are long-lasting, strong, and highly durable.
Replacing Your Chipped Tooth
There are times when saving the natural tooth just isn’t the best option. These severe cases are those when the chip is large enough to extend into the root and compromise the pulp. Not only can this be painful, but the damage may be too extensive to restore.
The good news is that there are some great options available to replace the tooth.
Dental Implants
The gold star treatment, a dental implant, provides a permanent replacement that functions just like a natural tooth, and looks like one, too. They blend in well with your other teeth in size, color, shape, and so forth.
Dental Bridge and Partial Dentures
Not every patient is a good candidate for dental implants. Those who aren’t can benefit from a dental bridge or partial dentures. Both use the healthy surrounding teeth to provide an anchor for the artificial tooth. There are several different ways this can be done, but the idea is to provide stability and security for the remaining teeth while also boosting appearance and being able to use a functioning tooth alternative.
Repair vs. Replace: Choosing What is Right For You
Today’s restorative dentistrytreatments offer a lot of possibilities. Your dentist will evaluate the chipped tooth, take X-rays to assess the extent of the damage, and present you with your options.
Remember, the number one goal is to preserve the natural tooth. But if it is not possible, tooth replacements are highly effective and a great solution.
Frequently Asked Questions<
Is repairing a chipped tooth painful?
Most repair procedures are not very invasive, especially when referring to dental bonding, veneers, and crowns. And they even require little to no local anesthesia. Pain should not be felt during these types of treatments.
How long will a chip repair last?
The length of time a repaired tooth will last will depend on the type of treatment. Nonetheless, most will last at least a few years, with high–quality, properly maintained veneers and crowns lasting over a decade.
At Springfield Healthy Smiles, we want you to make the best choice for your dental health. If you have a chipped tooth, act fast. Our highly experienced team will determine the best course of action and present you with your best options. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.