My Tooth Is Chipped: What Should I Do?

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A chipped tooth can be a big problem, depending on its severity. If you’ve recently chipped a tooth, your dentist in Woodbridge, VA, can help. The professionals at Niles Dental are here to help when you’re suffering from a damaged, painful tooth. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of a chipped tooth and what you can do.

Dangers of a Chipped Tooth

Small chips are often nothing more than a cosmetic problem, but a deep break in a tooth can put you and your teeth at risk. When a tooth is badly broken, this allows bacteria into the center of the tooth. Chips in your tooth enamel can lead to:

  • Dental infection: A dental infection is an emergency typically treated with a root canal.
  • Tooth decay: Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that eat away at the tooth enamel.
  • Loss of the permanent tooth: If your tooth is damaged badly enough, your dentist may need to extract the tooth.

Options If Your Tooth Is Chipped

If you have a chipped tooth, get help from your dentist quickly.

Dental Veneers

A dental veneer is a tooth-shaped cosmetic cover that the dentist may place over the front of your tooth to hide problems with your tooth enamel.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a composite material that your dentist can attach to your tooth to restore its shape when the tooth is chipped.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a cap your dentist may place over your tooth to protect the tooth enamel from further damage.

If you have a chip in your tooth, you may need a dental crown in Woodbridge, VA, or another form of treatment. Your dentist can help! Call today to learn more.

I Think I Chipped a Tooth. What Should I Do?

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A chipped tooth can be a serious problem that leads to a tooth infection, or it can be a simple cosmetic defect. Either way, if you think you chipped your tooth, it’s important to see your dentist in Woodbridge, VA, for help. If you’ve chipped a tooth, your dentist can determine the severity of the problem and what the next steps should be.

What the Dentist Can Do to Correct a Chipped Tooth

 

Dental Veneers

A dental veneer is a porcelain cover that your dentist can affix to the front of your tooth to cover up the chip. To install the dental veneer, the dentist will shave a little of your tooth enamel to make space for the veneer. The veneer will match the natural color of your teeth, so once it’s in place, no one will be able to tell that you have a veneer.

Dental Bonding

If you don’t want to shave down part of your tooth enamel for a veneer, dental bonding may be a better option. Dental bonding is made from composite resin that can attach to the teeth for about five years before it chips off. When the bonding chips off, you can have it re-applied.

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a cover that your dentist can place over your tooth to protect your tooth. If the chip in your tooth is very deep, the dentist may recommend this to prevent the tooth from breaking further. Dental crowns can be made of porcelain or metal. Crowns are made to last, so once one is in place, you can expect it to be in place for many years.

Contact the Dentist

If you think you may have chipped a tooth, your dentist can help. To learn more about cosmetic dentistry in Woodbridge, VA, call today.