How to Fix a Chipped Tooth

When you’re visiting our Scottsdale dental office about a chipped tooth, there are several different factors that come into play when treating and repairing it.

The Extent of the Damage

It may be that you simply bit down on something wrong…or you were elbowed during a basketball game. Besides having a chipped tooth, there could be other injuries that go along with it. Dr. Lernor will want to make sure that everything looks stable and that bleeding is controlled before trying to fix the fractured enamel. 

The Tooth That’s Chipped

There’s a difference in repairing a chipped front tooth vs. one in the back. Is the chip an aesthetic concern? If so, a front tooth is a priority. Depending on the extent of the damage and if the fracture is minor, a back tooth may only need to be smoothed out.

The Extent of the Fracture

Any anatomical damage to a tooth needs to be examined by your dentist. Chipped teeth can vary from small slivers of fractured enamel to large injuries that involve the nerve inside of the tooth. The extent of the damage will be the key factor in determining how to repair your smile. 

The Best Treatment for Your Chipped Tooth

Based on all of the previous factors, there could be a few different ways our Scottsdale dentist recommends treating your chipped enamel: Composite Bonding — Bonding is a cosmetic procedure that allows us to rebuild tooth structure for aesthetic purposes. Some common examples include chipped front teeth or gaps in your smile. The tooth-colored putty is shaped over your tooth and cured in place, making it look whole again. A Full Coverage Crown — Dental bonding can’t fix every chipped tooth because once you bite down, a large area of bonding will pop right off. Severe fractures will likely need to be repaired with a crown (or “cap” as some people call it.) Crowns cover your entire tooth up to the gumline, reinforcing it but also addressing its appearance. Our Scottsdale crowns are made of porcelain that’s matched to the rest of your smile so that it blends in as best as possible. A Root Canal and a Crown — When a fracture is so severe that it breaks through to the center of the tooth, your nerve has been permanently altered. It’s not possible to cover it and hope that the nerve trauma will go away. You’ll need a root canal to prevent abscessing, severe pain, or internal tooth damage that would result in needing to have the tooth pulled. Endodontic therapy can save your tooth, but you’ll still need a crown over it.

Get a Customized Care Plan for Your Smile

Lernor Family Dental makes your treatment planning process one that’s easy to understand and focused on your priorities. We’ll review all of the options available so that you can select the best one for your situation. Searching for the best family dentist in Scottsdale? Lernor Family Dental offers comprehensive care for all ages. Contact us today at 602-485-4747 to schedule a consultation!

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Have you or a member of your family chipped a tooth? The team at Lernor Family Dental can help! Give us a call at 602-485-4747 or schedule an appointment to learn about the best treatment options to restore that beautiful smile and protect your tooth from further damage!