Trauma is one of the most common causes of chipped teeth, but a tooth can also chip for many other reasons.
If you have a chipped, broken, or worn-out down tooth, you might wonder what to do about it.
Can a dentist fix it? If so, do they offer permanent solutions?
Dentists can permanently fix chipped and broken teeth, and here are several things you should know about fixing chipped teeth.
Causes of Chipped Teeth and Broken Teeth
As mentioned, trauma is a leading cause of tooth chips and broken teeth. For example, suppose you get in a car accident, and your face hits the windshield. The trauma from this event could damage your teeth.
Trauma is not the only cause for chipped teeth, though. Another common cause is bruxism, a fancy word for tooth grinding.
When people sleep, some grind their teeth and clench their jaws. The pressure that grinding and clenching places on the teeth is enough to cause cracks or chips in the person’s teeth.
Cavities on your teeth might also lead to chips and cracks. A cavity takes away from a tooth’s strength and resilience. When a tooth becomes too weak, it’s prone to chips and cracks.
In some cases, people experience these issues from a misaligned bite. For example, if your upper and lower teeth rub against each other poorly, they might have a higher chance of breaking prematurely.
If you want to fix chipped teeth in your mouth, you can talk to a dentist in Lexington, KY, to learn why you should fix these issues and how.
Reasons to Fix These Problems
When you have broken teeth in your mouth, you might want to consider fixing them for several reasons.
The first reason to fix them is for preventative dental purposes. When you have a tooth problem, the problem can worsen if left untreated.
For example, if decay on your teeth causes them to crack, the decay can work into your tooth’s roots, leaving you with an infection. Fixing the infection will cost more on top of fixing the initial problem.
Next, you should consider fixing them for aesthetical purposes. For example, people with chipped teeth might face some embarrassment by the looks of their teeth.
If you want to look nicer and feel more confident, you should fix the issues.
Finally, you might face fewer challenges speaking and eating if you fix these issues. A cracked or chipped tooth might interfere with these basic activities of life. You’ll find it easier to do these things when you fix these problems.
You might want to look for the best dentist in Lexington, KY, to learn more about your options for fixing the issues you have.
Top Treatment Options for These Problems
Now that you understand the causes of chipped and cracked teeth and the reasons to fix these issues, you’re probably ready to learn the treatment options.
Dentists offer several effective treatment plans, and here are some of the options they might suggest for your teeth:
Dental Veneers
One of the best options for fixing cracked or chipped teeth is dental veneers. Dental veneers are thin coverings made of porcelain or composite resin.
The dentist prepares the tooth for the veneer and cements it in place over the tooth. Once they put it in place, it’s there permanently.
A veneer can greatly improve the looks of chipped teeth, but that’s not the only purpose. It can also improve a tooth’s looks if it is misshaped, worn down, or too small.
Dental veneers last for a very long time. The nice part is that they look natural. They’re also easy to take care of, and they’re versatile.
Dental Crowns
Dentists often suggest using dental crowns for molar teeth with issues. For example, do you have a molar tooth that is worn down, broken, or chipped? If so, you can speak with your Lexington dentist about a crown.
A dental crown is like a veneer in some ways but different in others. A crown is an artificial tooth that basically has an empty center. The dentist prepares the tooth for the crown and cements it in place.
When you get a crown for a tooth, the crown not only makes the tooth look good, but it also strengthens the tooth. As a result, you’ll be able to use the tooth with a crown just like your natural teeth.
Dental crowns are a permanent option for fixing molar teeth with issues.
Tooth Contouring
A dentist can also fix worn tooth problems through tooth contouring in some cases. Tooth contouring is a procedure that involves shaving down a tooth to improve its shape.
Your dentist might suggest this treatment method if the tooth has a rough spot that sticks out too much. In many cases, dentists combine this treatment plan with cosmetic bonding.
Cosmetic Bonding
Have you ever had a cavity filled? If so, the dentist probably used composite bonding to fill the hole after removing the decay. Composite bonding works great for this purpose, but some dentists also use it to fix misshaped teeth.
When a dentist uses bonding for this purpose, they might begin by contouring the tooth. Next, they’ll place this material on the tooth to change its shape and appearance.
A dentist can fill in a small chip on a tooth with bonding or add bonding to increase the tooth’s size. Bonding is highly versatile, and dentists use it to fix a plethora of tooth problems.
Are you ready to fix a chipped tooth in Lexington? The best place to begin is to find a great dentist in Lexington, KY.
Visit a Dentist to Learn More
Living with chipped teeth can be embarrassing and frustrating. Fortunately, a dentist can fix these issues.
Are you interested in learning more about the dental options available for your teeth? If so, contact us at Slone Dental in Kentucky.
We offer preventative and restorative dentistry services and would love to hear from you. Call us or visit our website to learn more.
