Enamel is the outer layer of your teeth. It provides a durable shield and protects your teeth from decay and bacteria. Your tooth enamel is one of the strongest substances in your body. However, it does have limits and can break with enough pressure.
The enamel does not grow back after chipping a tooth. Dr. Keith Boenning and Dr. Nate Dancykier are expert general dentists that fix chipped teeth in Towson, MD. Continue reading to learn about our chipped teeth treatments and more.
What Causes a Chipped Tooth?
Even though your teeth are strong, they are not invincible. With enough pressure, they can crack and break. Developing small chips here-and-there throughout your life is actually common.
However, your dentist will need to repair a larger chip or break to prevent severe dental issues. Tooth damage can weaken the tooth and leave it vulnerable to further damage. A larger chip may leave the interior of the tooth exposed to germs and bacteria that can cause an infection. Many patients come to us with the following reasons as to why they have chipped teeth:
- Teeth grinding: Bruxism (teeth grinding) exerts excessive force on your teeth, leading to chips over time.
- A blow to the face: A fall, impact, accident, or sports injury can create enough force that will result in chipped teeth.
- Chewing on hard objects: Chewing on hard objects such as ice, nuts, pen caps and un-popped popcorn kernels can cause chips.
- Car accidents: People who are in car accidents experience trauma to the face, which can result in chipped teeth.
- Cavities and weak enamel: Tooth decay can weaken the tooth enamel. Weak tooth enamel makes your teeth more susceptible to chipping. Acidic foods, acidic reflux, and tooth erosion can compromise enamel strength.
- Genetics: Some people may simply inherent weaker teeth, increasing the risk of chips.
Repair your chipped tooth today at Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry of Towson. Fixing a chipped tooth will help protect it from further damage and restore your smile.
Treatment for a Chipped Tooth in Towson, MD
Dr. Keith Boenning and Dr. Nate Dancykier provide several treatment options for patients who chip their teeth. After a brief consult, we will suggest the best treatment option for you. Your treatment will depend on the severity of the damage. For example, a small chip may only need a single visit to fix, while a large chip may need several trips to fix.
Dental Filling
Our dentists can use a dental filling to fix a chipped tooth. We may opt to use this treatment if the chip is small and does not involve a significant portion of the tooth’s structure. This is a simple and quick treatment that our dentist can use to restore the shape and foundation of the tooth.
We will use a tooth-colored filling compound to fill in the chipped area of the tooth. The compound will match your tooth’s natural color and appearance.
Dental Bonding
Our dentist may suggest dental bonding to correct a chipped tooth. Tooth bonding is a popular and affordable dental treatment that dentists use for various cosmetic reasons. These reasons include if the patient is too young, or not ready to commit to a more permanent treatment.
Our dentist will apply a composite resin directly on the chipped tooth and then sculpt it into the desired shape. Next, we will use a curing light to harden the material. The bonding material is not permanent and you will eventually need to touch-up or replace it. However, it is a cheap, quick, and effective solution for chipped teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
While a filling and dental bonding will work just fine to fix a chipped tooth, they will require touch-ups and need replacements. However, a porcelain veneer is a permanent solution that will completely fix the chipped tooth by hiding the damage.
A tooth veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that our dentists custom-design to match the natural color and shape of your teeth. Our dentist will prepare the tooth by removing a minimal amount of enamel from it. Then, we will securely bond the dental veneer to the front and sides of the tooth. This will effectively hide the chip and restore the tooth to full use.
Our dentists use porcelain veneers to create aesthetically-pleasing mouths. We can fix any blemish or chip to improve the appearance, function, and health of your teeth. The treatment will take about two-to-three appointments to complete. To learn more about our porcelain veneers treatment, visit Porcelain Veneers.
Dental Crown
A tooth with a chip that is too large will need a dental crown. A dental crown will provide the tooth with support, protection, and restore the tooth’s shape and function. The process to receive a dental crown requires reshaping and reducing the size of the tooth. For this reason, this is also a permanent solution for a chipped tooth.
We will take dental impressions and use them to fabricate your new custom crown. Our crowns consist of a durable porcelain compound. The custom-made restoration will cover the entire tooth to prevent further damage and allow for normal function.
We will also match its color to the rest of your teeth so that it blends in with them. To learn more about our dental crown process, visit Dental Crown.
How Can I Prevent a Chipped Tooth?
You can do the following things to prevent a chipped tooth:
- Maintain good oral hygiene practices at home
- Avoid chewing on hard objects such as pens, hard candy, ice, etc.
- Wear protective gear such a mouthguard if you play contact sports
- Attend your regular dental visits to keep your teeth healthy
- If you grind your teeth at night, invest in a night guard
- Try to avoid overly acid foods that can break down your tooth enamel
Schedule an Appointment for a Chipped Tooth in Towson, MD, today. Tooth damage can happen to anyone. Even if you practice good oral hygiene, you can still chip a tooth in an accident or unconsciously because of teeth grinding.
Dr. Boenning and Dr. Dancykier offer treatments for a chipped tooth in Towson, MD. Contact our office today by calling 410-324-2294 to schedule a consultation and see which treatment will work best for you. You can also request an appointment online anytime and we will get back to you soon.