Chipped Teeth

OTTAWA, ON, April 21, 2013 (Press-News.org) Teeth are strong, but not impervious to damage. Hard candy, trauma, even metal tooth fillings can chip teeth, making them one of the most common cosmetic dental problems. Chipped teeth are more than a cosmetic issue, however. In fact, a chipped tooth can become infected, lead to an increased risk of gum disease, result in significant pain, and eventually cause a tooth to either fall out or require extraction. To avoid these and other functional and aesthetic issues, it is best if you have chipped teeth treated as soon as possible by an experienced dentist.

Options for Repairing Chipped Teeth

There are two ways to repair a chipped tooth: strengthen it, or cover it. Your chipped tooth can be strengthened with:

- Dental fillings - tooth colored fillings look and feel like your natural tooth enamel. They are also resistant to heat fluctuations in your mouth and will not lead to chips and crack like metal fillings do
- Dental bonding - by placing layers of composite resin over chips, your dentist can both strengthen and beautify your tooth
Chips can be covered by:
- Porcelain veneers - wafer thin shells placed over the front of your teeth, porcelain veneers can be used to correct a large number of cosmetic imperfections
- Dental crowns - when the structure of your tooth is threatened by a chip, a dental crown can be placed over the natural tooth to both restore strength and protect the tooth against further damage

There is no single solution for every tooth chip. Your dentist will assess your teeth, evaluate the level of damage, and discuss the option that is best for your smile.

Chipped teeth are not always painful, but left untreated they can lead to serious problems. To avoid these problems, talk to your dentist about chip correction today.

For more information on treating chipped teeth in the Ottawa area of Ontario, please visit the website of Dentistry at Main today at www.dentistryatmain.com.