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Got A Chipped Tooth? 2 Treatment Options From Your Dentist

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If you have a chipped tooth, your dentist will offer you different options on how to fix it. What they offer does depend on how big the chip is, however. Below is some more information so you will know what to expect when you are sitting in the dentist's chair.

Dental Crown

Dental crowns cover your tooth to make it look natural again. The dentist will make a mold of the tooth and send it to a lab. The crown is made in the lab and sent back to your dentist, who will then place the crown over the chipped tooth. The dentist will make sure the crown fits properly and then will use cement to fuse the crown to the tooth.

If you choose this option, the dentist will place a temporary crown on the tooth until the permanent crown is finished.

There are different material options you have for your dental crown. For example, you can choose full gold, which is durable and hold up well. The disadvantage of gold crowns is they are not aesthetically pleasing. Another material you can choose is porcelain. This material is the same color of your other teeth so it looks natural. Ceramic crowns are also available which may be less expensive than the other options. Ceramic is a weak material, however, and will break down or chip over time.

Dental Bonding or Filling

If the chip is small your dentist may suggest a filling. The filling works the same as if you had a filling done for a tooth that has a cavity.

If the chip is on one of your front teeth, the dentist will suggest a procedure called bonding. Bonding is done in one visit to your dentist and is simple for them to do. The dentist will not have to numb your tooth to do this procedure.

The dentist will use a gel to etch the surface of the tooth. This makes the surface rough so the bonding material can adhere to the tooth. When the dentist is finished with the bonding material, they will place an adhesive over the bonding and then place a resin over the adhesive. The resin is the same color as the tooth. The dentist will use an ultraviolet light to harden the resin and adhesive material.

Click here for more info on other treatment options dentists may suggest to fix your chipped tooth.


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