Restorative Options for Chipped Teeth
When teeth become chipped, they can affect both our appearance and our bite. To overcome this dental dilemma, the extent of the damage needs to be examined and assessed. The right treatment option will depend on several criteria, including the reason for the sip, the size of the chip, and the condition of the rest of the tooth. The options below will help you decide on the best course of therapy to take to restore chipped teeth.
Tooth-colored Fillings
In the past, silver amalgam was used to repair chips. However, this option is not aesthetically pleasing. To ensure the chip is fixed and appears natural, dental fillings using a tooth-colored composite resin are normally placed. The fillings are resilient as amalgam and look more pleasing to the eye when you restore chipped teeth..
Onlays and Inlays
If a chip is too big to accept a tooth-colored filling, an inlay or onlay may be used instead. The restoraton, which is made of porcelain, preserves the tooth structure and lasts a long time. While an onlay replaces chips that extend to one or more cusps, an inlay replaces chips within the cusps of a tooth.
Porcelain Veneers
If one or more of the front teeth chip, porcelain veneers can be bonded to the front surface of the teeth. Because the porcelain-made restorations share the same light-reflection properties as dental enamel, they look more natural. In fact, porcelain is one of the most natural-looking of these types of materials.
Dental Crowns
If chips are fairly large, dental crowns can be used to conceal the visible tooth surface. Each crown is crafted to look exactly like a natural tooth. The use of a crown reinforces a chipped tooth, and protects it from further damage.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding involves a process where a pliable composite resin is painted directly to chipped front teeth. Once the material hardens, it hides the chip or any other surface flaw. Bonding provides a cost-effective way to repair a chip for anyone on a budget.
Cost Considerations
Before making a choice for restoring a chip, set up a dental consultation to learn more about the nature of the chip and the cost for treatment. With respect to cost, the repair can range from several hundred dollars to $3,000 for a root canal and a crown. In some instances, you may need to get an implant, which ranges between $3,000 and $5,000. Most dental plans will pay for chip repairs.
Would you like to learn more about treatments for chipped teeth? If so, we can answer your questions. Contact River Valley Smile Center today. Phone us at 479-646-0706 or visit us on Facebook
