Maybe it was a sporting accident. Maybe you bit down on your fork while enjoying a meal. Or maybe you were unknowingly grinding your teeth at night. Whatever it was, now you have a chipped tooth. A chipped tooth can be painful and affect your smile. Setting an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to examine the chip is the best idea. While chipping your tooth is bad news, the good news is that your dentist has various options to fix it. Here are 4 options for fixing a chipped tooth.

What to Do First

If you can’t see your dentist immediately, a few home remedies can reduce the discomfort and swelling caused by the chipped tooth. These include:

• Over-the-counter pain medication
• Rinsing with mouthwash to remove anything in the jagged ends of the tooth
• Applying an ice pack if the pain persists

If the chipped tooth happened during a severe accident that caused extreme pain and bleeding, visit your local emergency room immediately.

Bonding

For the smallest chips, bonding is the repair route your dentist will recommend. It involves applying composite resin over your tooth to create a mold. Your dentist will then shape the composite into the chip to make it appear as part of the tooth. Bonding is a great option because:

• It’s a simple procedure
• It’s effective for many years with proper oral care
• It’s affordable
• It looks natural

Veneers

While bonding fills small chips here and there, veneers are porcelain covers placed on the front of the tooth. They create a smooth and natural look. Veneers are longer-lasting than bonding and should last around 20 years with proper oral care. If it’s just one chipped tooth, veneers are reasonably priced, but several can be expensive.

Crowns

Crowns and veneers are very similar. Both are made from porcelain, but veneers cover the front of your chipped tooth while a crown surrounds the entire tooth. When the chip is significant, and most of the tooth is lost, crowns are an excellent solution. There are different types of crowns, but they all prevent further damage to the tooth and nerve because they cover the entire tooth.

Dental Implants

The last option for repairing a chipped tooth is getting a dental implant. This route is for the most severe cracks where little tooth remains above the gum line. During this procedure, your tooth is removed, and your dentist attaches an implant. After the extracted area is healed, a permanent metal post is inserted into your gum line, followed by a tooth implant placed into the post. The implant looks and feels like a real tooth, and even though it is the most time-consuming and costly option, the results should last a lifetime.

Need An Expert Dentist?

An exam with your dentist is the best way to determine which chipped tooth option is right for you and your oral health. At Carmichael Dentistry, we will provide you with the steps to maintain proper oral health to keep your repaired tooth happy and healthy. Dr. Carmichael will ensure that your smile is restored to its beautiful self. Schedule your appointment today by calling (858) 484-2560 or clicking here.