When you eat hard candies, chew on ice, and devour peanut brittle you may be surprised at how strong your teeth are. You may think that they can chew through just about anything and will never let you down, but you may be caught off guard when your tooth chips.
Dentists will remind you during every visit that your teeth should not be used as a tool for:
- Popping a bottle top open
- Opening a bag of chips
- Biting of clothing tags
The enamel on your teeth is strong but it has its limits against certain forces. Your tooth may chip when you least expect it to, such as at the movies when eating popcorn and accidentally biting down on a kernel. You can click here to read about the top 10 ways that you can chip your tooth. The right amount of pressure along with the wrong bite can cause your tooth to-
- Chip
- Split
- Break
Lucky for you, our cosmetic dentists can take care of this regardless if you live in Fort Lauderdale or are just in the area visiting. Modern technology and advancements allow your tooth repair to be quick and simple while improving your oral health and creating an attractive smile in as little as two visits.
Causes of a Chipped Tooth
This nightmare can happen in a variety of ways. For example, you can accidentally bite down on a chicken bone while eating wings during happy hour. On the other hand, while enjoying your cocktail you may chomp down on a cherry pit without meaning to. If you play full-contact sports without one of our sports mouth guards, you may end up with a chipped tooth as well. Sometimes, a chipped tooth can happen by doing something unconsciously such as chewing on a pencil. Lastly, if your tooth is already weakened due to a cavities or decay, it will chip or break a lot easier.
The enamel on your teeth is tough but it is not indestructible. The wrong amount of pressure, in the wrong area of the tooth can lead to devastating consequences.
What to do When Your Tooth Chips
When you chip your tooth, you may want to panic as you look in the mirror! However, instead of freaking out, give our dental boutique and spa a call to schedule a visit ASAP. We may offer advice on what to do or what not to do while waiting for your appointment.
Treatment Options for a Chipped Tooth
The treatment method chosen for your tooth will depend on the severity of the damage. A smaller chip will need a less-invasive treatment than a damaged tooth will. The following are treatment options that may be suggested for your individual case.
Shaping
If your chip is minor, we may grind a small portion of the tooth away to create an edge that is smooth. This treatment will fix your smile and prevent sharp edges which can hurt your mouth or cause you to pierce your tongue. This is typically not an option for most chipped teeth since the damage tends to be more severe.
Filling
You may think that fillings can only be used for cavities but they can be used to fix a chip that has minor damage. This option is typically used for teeth that won’t be seen when smiling or talking.
Bonding
For this treatment, we will cover the surface of your tooth with a roughening gel. This will help the material used for bonding stick to your tooth better. Next, adhesive and bonding materials will be put on your tooth. The color of this material will be chosen to match the color of your current teeth and our skilled cosmetic dentist will shape the material to match your teeth. Once this is done, a UV light will be used to harden the material. This treatment option is painless, quick, and can last for many years.
Crown
If a large part of your tooth breaks, the above options won’t offer effective treatment. Another option will be to grind part of your tooth away and then cover it with a crown. This is a cap that is shaped like a tooth but will protect and restore the appearance of your original tooth. We offer same-day crowns that are a great option if you are on vacation in the area.
Veneer
If you chip your front tooth, you may be worried that you will never be able to smile again but we can fix your tooth with our most popular option, veneers. This is similar to the use of a crown in which your tooth will be shaved down and covered. The differences are that a veneer is thinner and it is shaped like a shell instead of a tooth. This treatment can be completed in roughly two visits and they can last for a long time!
Choosing Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique & Spa is the Best Idea!
We will need to look at your tooth and evaluate the damage before we can choose the treatment option that is best for you. Be sure to contact us as soon as you chip your tooth so that we can fix your smile and prevent further damage from occurring.
At our dental boutique and spa, we offer various cosmetic and general dental treatments. We can offer you a complimentary consultation so that we can help you choose the best procedure for your needs. Give us a call today!