Fix a Chipped Tooth with These Three Treatments

stock image of a woman smiling for a blog about how to fix a chipped tooth with cosmetic dentistry treatments in Charlotte, NC It can happen at any time. You’re enjoying an iced tea at your favorite restaurant in Charlotte, NC when you may decide to crunch on some ice. You then notice something hard in your mouth that isn’t melting or dissolving. It turns out you’ve broken a tooth! What should you do? A chipped tooth will cause most people panic or anxiety, but the good news is that there are many treatment options to easily fix chipped teeth and restore your beautiful smile. At Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Broome and his staff are proud to offer a truly comfortable dental experience and quick solutions for life’s little pains like a broken or chipped tooth. During your visit Dr. Broome will access your situation and provide you a few treatment options. You’ll enjoy a soothing, spa-like experience and find state-of-the art technology every where you look. The very best is available to offer quick and efficient treatment. Call us at 704-364-4711 to learn more about your cosmetic dentistry options in North Carolina if a broken or chipped tooth decides to pay you a visit.

What to Do When You Chip or Break Your Tooth

Your teeth are covered with enamel, the hardest, most mineralized tissue in the body, but it does have limitations. A tooth can chip or break due to various reasons including:
  • Falling
  • Receiving trauma to the face
  • Chewing and/or biting down on something hard, like ice (especially with tooth decay)
One of the most important things to do if you chip, break or fracture a tooth, is to contact your dentist as soon as possible. This is necessary to avoid further damage and limit the risk of infection, which can lead to a complete loss of the tooth. If possible find the broken piece and bring it with you to your appointment. There are several treatment options in Charlotte to treat broken or chipped teeth. First, an assessment is needed to see how severe the damage is, what the best treatment option would be, and the timing of treatments. Options range from composite bonding, a veneer, or perhaps a crown all offered during a same-day restoration appointment.

The Three Most Common Ways to Repair a Chipped Tooth

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a great choice to repair a tooth that has been chipped and has sustained a small piece of enamel damage. As part of a chipped tooth treatment, dental bonding, also called adhesive bonding, uses a malleable composite resin, which is a tooth-colored, and can be attached or “bonded” to the remaining damaged tooth. This process rebuilds the tooth to its original formation with very little treatment time. The limitation for this chipped tooth treatment is strength and and potential for future staining.

Porcelain Crowns

Dental crowns are a wonderful chipped tooth treatment if a large portion of the tooth breaks off or if the remaining tooth has a lot of tooth decay. In these cases, the dentist will remove decay and shape and contour the remaining tooth structure so that a beautiful new crown can be designed to rebuild your tooth. Not only will a porcelain crown protect the remaining structure of a chipped tooth, but it will dramatically improve its appearance.

How are Dental Crowns Made?

In the past, patients might have had to leave with a temporary crown while their permanent crown was created at an off-site facility. Dr. Broome and his team have the innovative technology and knowledge to complete the porcelain crown without the need for a second visit. Using the state-of-the-art CEREC system as well as the Galileos and Trios intra-oral scanning technology, Dr. Broome is able to assess your unique needs and dental anatomy with highly detailed images. Then, the chipped tooth is prepared to receive a porcelain crown and digital dental impressions are obtained to design the final dental restoration treatment. This information is then sent to our on-site Practice Lab where the dental crown will be created using a ceramic block chosen to match your tooth color. Finally, Dr. Broome makes any necessary customizations needed to dial in the color and characteristics of the crown before it is polished and cemented to the tooth. Learn more about dental crowns by visiting medlineplus.gov.

Dental Veneers

A dental veneer can transform broken or chipped teeth, especially if located in the front, making them look whole and healthy again. Veneers offer a quick and effective way to fix chipped teeth. Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of porcelain that are bonded to your teeth. Porcelain veneers correct imperfections liked chipped teeth and rebuild strength and durability of the damaged tooth. Using premium porcelain, the dental veneers give patients with chipped teeth results that look natural and blend beautifully with their surrounding teeth. Another plus is that dental veneers are resistant to staining or discoloration. We’ve streamlined the dental veneer process so that it can be completed quickly, leaving you with a beautiful, natural-looking smile.

Have Broken or Chipped Teeth? Schedule your Consultation in Charlotte Today!

If you sustained a chipped or damaged tooth, please don’t wait to schedule your next visit with Dr. Broome. Take advantage of our renowned expertise in aesthetic dentistry and our experience in using leading-edge technology and techniques in a comfortable, relaxing environment. Come see what our patients rave about and experience masterful results for yourself! Contact the dental experts at Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry today to schedule your consultation!