Three Ways To Restore A Chipped Tooth

Our Greenwich dentist discusses the options available.

Chipping a tooth is not uncommon, especially where the tooth may have been weakened through previous damage. An uneven bite can also contribute to this, and, if your teeth are crooked, the use of one of our cosmetic dental braces may prove to be of benefit to more than just your appearance.

Naturally, taking good care of our teeth, including regular visits to the dentist and hygienist at our Greenwich practice, will help to keep your teeth in good condition, but even the healthiest of teeth can encounter the kind of situations that causes a tooth to chip.

Depending on the type and severity of the damage caused, there are three main options available at the Confidental Clinic.

Dental bonding

Where the chip is relatively minor, and especially in an area where not too much force would be placed on it when eating, dental bonding offers a quick and straightforward way of restoring a tooth that has been damaged in this way. Made from a composite resin mixture, this is straightforward to apply and is then shaped to restore the natural appearance of the tooth. Bonding does have a shorter lifespan than some other restorations and can also discolour as it is a porous material.

Crowns

Where a tooth has chipped, either to a larger extent, or where the tooth might be weakened significantly due to it, a dental crown may be the preferred option. To attach a crown, the tooth is first shaped and then impressions taken of the teeth. These are sent to a dental laboratory where your new crowns will be produced. This usually takes approximately two weeks, and a temporary crown may be fitted in the meantime. When your new crown has been returned to the Confidental Clinic, your temporary crown will be removed and the new one firmly attached using a strong dental adhesive. If looked after, a dental crown should last somewhere in the region of ten to twenty years, but this can vary according to a number of factors.

Veneers

Another option is a dental veneer. These are ideally suited for the visible front teeth and are fine layers of porcelain that are used to replace damaged surface enamel. Whilst they are also used to restore discoloured teeth, they are very effective at restoring those which are chipped or cracked, albeit still structurally sound. If you have chipped a front tooth and are generally unhappy with how your front teeth look, we will be pleased to discuss the option of a full smile restoration, replacing the surface veneer of visible natural teeth with dental veneers.

If you do chip a tooth, however minor, remember that whilst it may cause no initial problems, the damaged enamel can allow the tooth to become infected, and decay or root canal problems can result. Always ask our Greenwich dentist to check your chipped tooth and discuss any further action that may be needed.

Please call the Confidental Clinic in Greenwich on 020 8858 1422.