Chipped and Broken Teeth
Chipped teeth can be a reminder of a really wild night or just a mundane accident. But no matter the cause of your chipped teeth, they can make you self-conscious about your smile, and can nick your tongue on a daily basis, making it sting or burn. And a more deeply broken tooth can lead to serious dental problems. Fortunately, you don't have to accept your chipped and broken teeth and live with them for the rest of your life. Dr. Mike Deldar and Dr. Sohaila Deldar have several solutions that can treat your chipped teeth to restore an even, attractive smile, including dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns.
To learn more about these possible solutions for your chipped teeth and which is right for you, please contact Dr. Deldar in Indianapolis today.
Solutions for Chipped Teeth
There are three main solutions for chipped teeth: dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns. Which solution is right for you depends on the number and extent of your chipped or broken teeth, your personal preferences, and whether you have other common cosmetic dentistry problems.
Dental Bonding for Chipped Teeth
Dental bonding is the name of the material used in tooth-colored fillings. It is a composite, plastic-based material that can be applied directly to the chipped areas and shaped to mimic the missing tooth material. It can also be color-matched to blend well with your teeth.
The advantages of dental bonding are that it is a quick, inexpensive treatment. It can be applied, shaped, and cured during one brief visit, and it is the most modestly priced solution to chipped teeth.
The disadvantages of dental bonding are that it may not match seamlessly with your tooth enamel and it may not last as long. Because dental bonding is a plastic, it has a different luster than dental enamel, which is more similar to a ceramic. Dental bonding is a good filling material, where it binds on all sides and is not subjected to too much biting force, but when it is in an exposed place, like the top of your tooth, where most chipped teeth occur, it has less support, and may wear out quickly or come loose.
Porcelain Veneers for Chipped Teeth
Porcelain veneers are thin facades of porcelain that are cemented to the fronts of your teeth. They can fit over the top of your teeth and provide a new biting surface as well. They are crafted to fit over your chipped teeth and restore your smile to a whole, healthy appearance.
Porcelain veneers are really the optimal solution for chipped teeth. Because they are made of porcelain, they are not only color-matched to your teeth, but will have a similar luster as well, giving you a beautiful, natural-looking smile. Porcelain veneers can also be used to treat other smile problems at the same time, including crooked teeth and stained teeth. Properly cared for, they can also give long-lasting and beautiful results.
The only disadvantage of porcelain veneers is that they seem relatively expensive. But if you consider the quality and lifetime of results, along with the possible multiple benefits, you will likely find that they are actually your best value. Another concern is that if your chipped teeth are due not to accidents but to an uneven bite, your veneers may chip as well. To ensure this is not the case, we recommend a neuromuscular dentistry evaluation before receiving porcelain veneers.
Dental Crowns for Broken Teeth
If your tooth is not just chipped, but has a serious break or crack, a dental crown is the solution. A crown is a cap of porcelain or porcelain fused to metal that is placed over the entire tooth. It not only conceals the broken tooth, but protects and strengthens it. It can be used even if a tooth has had previous fillings, and, with a root canal, it can be used when your nerve has been compromised.
A neuromuscular evaluation is also important before having a crown placed. If you suffer from TMD, your crown may be subjected to uneven forces, causing it to wear or fail early.
Timing Is Important
If you have one or more broken or chipped teeth, waiting can cause the damage to worsen or affect other teeth. Once chipped, a tooth can wear unevenly, or leave other teeth to bear more of the biting force and making them more likely to chip. A cracked tooth can expose your tooth nerve to infection, which can be dangerous and lead to a root canal or tooth loss.
Don't wait to have your chipped or broken tooth evaluated. Please call or email Indianapolis cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Deldar or Dr. Sohaila Deldar today for an appointment.
Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry & TMJ
(800) 499-2141
14753 Hazel Dell Crossing Ste. 700 | Noblesville, IN 46062
(at the corner of 146th and Hazel Dell)
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