Chipped Tooth: Causes, Precautions, and How to Fix It
Ever noticed a chipped tooth one fine day with no recollection of how it came about? Or maybe you’ve had an accident that led to a part of your tooth breaking. Whatever the reason, understanding the causes and treatments for chipped teeth, and the potential of cosmetic dentistry in Melbourne to address dental imperfections can help you get the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Chipped Tooth – What Causes It?
A chipped tooth isn’t always a dental emergency requiring immediate treatment. Often, it can wait until you have had a chance to undergo advanced cosmetic dentistry to improve your smile. But what really causes a tooth to chip? Knowing the reasons could help you better identify a solution.
Here are some that you should know:
- Trauma or accident causing an impact or blow to the face
- Contact sports without using a mouthguard
- Biting into foods that are too hard
- Cavity or tooth decay
- Excessive clenching of the teeth or Bruxism
If you’ve noticed a chip in your tooth that doesn’t cause pain or infection and isn’t close to the root, consulting a cosmetic dentist in Melbourne can help.
Treatments to Fix a Chipped Tooth
A chipped tooth can be addressed through a number of treatments, depending on its severity. A mild chip can simply be fixed with dental bonding whereas a severe chip leading to a crack may need a dental crown procedure.
Dental veneers
Dental veneers are often recommended in Melbourne cosmetic dentistry as a way to hide dental imperfections. These are wafer-thin shells that improve not only the shape of the tooth but the colour and size as well. Your chipped or broken teeth are beautifully hidden with porcelain veneers that go over your damaged teeth and match your natural teeth perfectly.
Dental bonding
A dental bonding treatment is perfect for minor chips where a tooth-coloured resin is used to replace parts of your broken tooth. This helps restore your tooth back to its original shape while improving the aesthetics of your smile.
Dental crowns
If you have a noticeably chipped tooth that’s affecting your ability to chew, a crown can make all the difference. This procedure takes off the outer layer of your tooth and forms a cap of porcelain over a damaged or broken tooth. These are perfect treatment options if you’re looking for something aesthetically pleasing.
Root canal
A chipped tooth left untreated can quickly become infected. In such a case, a root canal procedure becomes imperative. This procedure helps remove the infected pulp of the tooth without damaging the surrounding structure, maintaining its aesthetics. A dental crown is often placed on the tooth after a root canal to protect it from further damage.
Have a chipped tooth you need taken care of? Consulting your closest cosmetic dentist in Melbourne can help!