While rare, when someone suffers from a chipped tooth there can be an immediate worry. Is it something that needs to be treated right away? What’s the cost? What can be done? A chipped tooth instills almost nothing but anxiety. But don’t panic. Treating a chipped tooth has become a much more streamlined and straightforward process over the years. As a result, it is worth fully understanding the benefits of this process and how it can help you. The following information should help you choose a care option that is right for your needs. Lovett Dental Katy has the experienced and compassionate staff you need to set your mind at ease. We offer several methods for treating a chipped tooth and restoring your smile.
Treating a Chipped Tooth – Your Care Options
The first step when treating a chipped tooth is to diagnose the extent of the damage. Typically, this starts with a dentist examining your mouth and figuring out where the tooth was cracked in the first place. Then, they can gauge how deep the chip goes and whether or not it affects more of your mouth.
After the dentists figure out the extent of your dental damage, they will come up with a care option that makes sense for your needs. These care options vary in intensity based on how badly your tooth is chipped and where the chip ends on the tooth. As a result, it is vital to examine each process in depth.
Polishing a Surface-Level Chip
In some cases, you might be fortunate and only need a surface-level polish of the chipped tooth. Many cosmetic dentists can perform this simple step in as little as a few minutes. Once the polishing process is over, your chipped tooth will be healthy and strong again. And you won’t have to go through the more involved care options necessary for other types of damage.
Bonding More Severe Damage
If your chip goes beyond the surface and extends a bit farther, you may need a bonding procedure. Typically, this process requires abrading the tooth and applying a composite resin that helps to cover up the chip. The dentist then shapes the resin to make it look like a real tooth. If possible, they may be able to add broken bits of the tooth back to the original by using this resin.
Fillings With Root Canals
Treating a chipped tooth that has extended beyond bonding help may require a filling and a root canal. A filling places a durable material – often metal – into the crack on the tooth to hold it together. A root canal may then help to keep the root of the tooth secure and avoid complications. Don’t worry – root canals have become almost pain-free with modern dental procedures.
Extraction and Replacement
When the chipped tooth is much too damaged to save, your dentist may want to extract it and replace it instead. Treating a chipped tooth in this way may seem extreme but can be useful if your tooth’s roots are damaged and cannot be repaired. Replacement teeth options include bridges and implants, each of which has many benefits. And don’t forget that extractions have become close to pain-free with advances in pain management technology.
Treating A Chipped Tooth at Lovett Dental Katy
If you need treatment for a chipped tooth, please call 832-437-6477 to contact us at Lovett Dental Katy. We offer multidisciplinary dentistry help in six different care styles. So whether you’ve had a chipped tooth for some time and finally want to restore your smile or an emergency situation has arisen, we can help. And we work with many different insurance options, so please verify your coverage to get started.
