Cosmetic Dentistry for Chipped Teeth

LAS VEGAS, NV, September 15, 2012 (Press-News.org) Chipped teeth are not only cosmetically undesirable, they can lead to more serious problems as well. The chip could make the tooth more likely to fracture, or the chip could become bigger. Ultimately, you may experience pain or difficulty chewing as a result of a chipped tooth.

There are several approaches your general or cosmetic dentist may use to repair a chipped tooth. Some of the most common methods include:

Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain material that look like a tooth. Your cosmetic dentist will match the veneer color to your natural teeth. The veneer is placed over the surface of a tooth, completely concealing any flaws of the natural tooth surface. Veneers are a common form of dentistry for chipped teeth.

Porcelain veneers have a natural sheen and can be matched precisely to your teeth. Veneers can last up to 10 years or more before replacement may be necessary.

Tooth crowns: A tooth crown fits over the entire tooth, effectively creating a new tooth structure. Your tooth may have to be filed down to create room for the crown to fit over the tooth.

Dental crowns are fabricated in a lab before placement. Crowns can be constructed of porcelain, composite resin, gold, metal or porcelain fused to metal. Your cosmetic dentist may also have a CEREC machine, which allows your dentist to create the dental crown on-site, during the same appointment in which it is placed.

Typically, dentists suggest tooth crowns in situations in which the tooth is severely damaged or weakened. If your chip is significant or threatens the structure of the tooth, a tooth crown may be the right treatment.

Dental bonding: Unlike porcelain veneers and dental crowns, dental bonding is not a pre-fabricated tooth restoration. Instead, bonding refers to the process of molding composite resin onto a tooth. This material is basically a hard plastic. The bonding material is molded over a tooth, modified so it does not stand out, and hardened with light.

Dental bonding tends to be an affordable option, but it may not last as long as porcelain veneers and porcelain crowns. Composite resin tends to be slightly less durable than porcelain, so it may crack or chip if trauma occurs. For these reasons, your cosmetic dentist may suggest dental bonding for minor chips.

To learn more about dentistry for chipped teeth and other common dental problems, please visit the website of the cosmetic dentists in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Drs. Bryson & Margio Dentistry at www.drsbrysonandmargio.com.