As the name suggests this is a condition when your tooth gets chipped, cracked or broken. This can occur due to a number of reasons, ranging from sports injuries, accidents, eating hard foods, untreated cavities, or tooth grinding. Whatever may be the reason, seeking dentist assistance is necessary for this condition. In the short run, a small crack may not seem a big problem but if left untreated can lead to serious dental problems. Here are five treatment options available to get your chipped tooth treated.
Dental Bonding
If you have minor chips or cracks on your tooth, your dentist will probably suggest bonding to fix it. It entails moulding your tooth by covering it with composite resin material. After that, your dentist will shape the composite into a chip so that it resembles a natural tooth.
Veneers
If your tooth damage is slightly higher that it cannot be fixed with bonding, then you have to go with veneers, typically made up of porcelain. These are the covers that are bonded to the front of the tooth. They have a very natural and smooth appearance. Veneers are inexpensive when applied on just one chipped tooth, but they can be pricey if there are several damaged teeth. Though according to the International Journal of Prosthodontics, they do last longer than bonding.
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Dental Crowns
If your tooth chip is substantial and a large portion of the tooth is lost, dental crowns are a good option. A crown completely encases the tooth, whereas veneers only cover the front of a chipped tooth. There are various kinds of crowns and the benefit of all of them is to prevent further harm to the tooth or nerve by encasing the chipped tooth.
Dental Implants
The fourth solution for healing a chipped tooth is getting a dental implant. Only the most serious cracks, where very little tooth remains above the gum line, should be repaired with this method. In this case, your dentist would attach the implant after you had the tooth out and give it time to heal. After your gums have healed, a permanent metal post will be inserted into your gumline. Eventually, a tooth implant that feels and looks like a real tooth will be inserted into the post. Although it's the most time-consuming and expensive option, the results are nearly permanent or last for a lifetime.
Root Canal Therapy
When the condition becomes severe, your tooth fractures can extend to your gums, leading to bacterial infection and gum disease. When left untreated, this leads to dental abscesses. In such cases, root canal therapy is the option to prevent teeth from further damage and infection.
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Conclusion
One should not consider all tooth chips the same. Therefore, before you choose the best course of action for you and your dental health, your dentist must perform a thorough examination. No matter which route you take, maintaining good oral hygiene will only keep your repaired tooth healthy and disease free.
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