A chipped tooth can present a lot of difficulties for a person. There might be difficulties with eating or even brushing each day, let alone the fact that the chip might not be too appealing to look at.
However, there are a few things to consider when one has a chipped tooth. A person can visit their dentist for a chipped tooth and the dentist is likely to recommend a few treatment options. It’s good to be aware of what treatment options do exist in order to determine what the best one is.
In this article, we will over dental bonding and dental crowns. These treatment methods are both used for chipped teeth but determining which one is best is important. Read more below!
Dental bonding for a chipped tooth
The severity
Dental bonding is primarily used for a tooth that only has a minor chip in it. Dental bonding isn’t 100% restorative but rather only surface restorative, so a tooth with only a minor chip in it may be the best candidate for this procedure.
Consider the tooth
If a person chips a tooth that is near the front of their mouth then a dentist will recommend that dental bonding is done in order to treat it. Dental bonding works great for teeth that are near the front of the mouth because it takes care of the surface, thus providing a more natural look.
The procedure
A dental bonding procedure is not very involved or invasive, meaning there isn’t a lot of pain and a person isn’t required to be put under anesthesia. The dentist will roughen the surface up that is around the chip and then apply an adhesive so that the resin sticks. A composite resin that is white in color will be placed over the surface and then shaped to fit the tooth. After shaping, a dentist will use a special light to cure and harden the resin.
A dental crown for a chipped tooth
The severity
A tooth that is severely chipped may require a dental crown. Because a dental crown covers the entire tooth, it can offer 100% restoration so a major chip in a tooth would likely be treated with a dental crown.
Consider the tooth
Dental crowns are used for molars. Because dental crowns cover the entire tooth, they are used to restore and protect molars which are primarily used for chewing and biting of foods. Dental crowns provide the most coverage and chipped molars need as much coverage as possible since they’re responsible for grinding up food.
The procedure
Dental crowns are specifically made in a lab for each person’s tooth. The patient and dentist can choose what type of crown they want – gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. The crown will come back and the dentist will smooth the area where the chip was and then place the crown over the entire tooth.
Both dental crowns and dental bonding can help restore a tooth that has been chipped. While some people believe that minor chips aren’t serious, a dentist is still able to treat and repair it. It’s always good to consult with dentists as they can help determine whether a dental crown or bonding is necessary.
If you have questions then reach out to our office today so that we can help you!