Cosmetic Dental Services for Chipped Teeth

Cosmetic dental services can restore the aesthetics of decayed, damaged, or deformed teeth. Teeth can become chipped due to their structures being weakened by tooth decay or due to trauma from a blow to the face.

A severe chip that reaches the innermost layers of a tooth is classified as a dental emergency because it leaves the tooth’s pulp chamber exposed to bacteria and the acids that they make. A mild chip that only affects a tooth’s appearance does not count as a dental emergency, but it does require prompt treatment to resolve. Part of a tooth chipping off makes it more vulnerable to decay, so even minor chips require treatment.

Cosmetic dental services used to fix chipped teeth

For patients dealing with chipped teeth, there are a few cosmetic dental services that a dentist can use to restore the appearance of the teeth.

1. Enamel reshaping

This procedure is typically recommended for mild chips that only affect a tooth’s enamel. It involves using dental tools to smooth out the affected area so the chip is no longer visible. Enamel reshaping cannot be used to fix a severe chip.

2. Composite bonding

Composite bonding is performed using resins made from plastic and glass mixtures. The dentist matches the composite with the color of the patient’s teeth, so the repairs look natural. Composite bonding is a non-invasive procedure, so anesthetics are rarely used.

The procedure involves roughening the tooth's exterior with an etching solution, so the composite adheres better to the tooth. The composite is then applied to the tooth in layers and molded as needed to restore the tooth’s appearance. The entire procedure takes about 45 minutes for each tooth being treated. It only takes a visit to the dentist to restore a tooth with composite, so the patient can leave the clinic with their teeth restored.

3. Veneers

Veneers are tooth-shaped covers cemented to the front areas of teeth. A veneer can hide all the flaws on a tooth, making it appear flawless. Issues that can be treated with veneers include chipped, discolored, and deformed teeth. Dentists typically recommend a veneer when the issue being treated mostly affects the front part of the tooth being treated.

Placing a veneer on a tooth requires the dentist to make alterations to it by removing enamel from its front. This makes room for the veneer, so it does not make the tooth look abnormally bulky.

4. Crowns

Dental crowns are among the most popular restorations used by cosmetic dentists. They are often recommended for moderate to severe chips. The dentist might have to perform a root canal on the tooth before covering it with a crown if its pulp chamber is compromised.

The crown covers up the visible part of the tooth, instantly restoring its aesthetics. A crown can last over 25 years with good oral hygiene.