Chipped Tooth SOS –Cosmetic Fixes for a Flawed Smile
In California, where people like snacking on fresh fruits and veggies, cracked teeth are a typical dental problem. This might happen at any time: you bite something surprisingly hard, and the next thing you know, you have lost a piece of a tooth and have a smile that has to be repaired right away. While this is an undesirable scenario, there are several ways to resolve it.
Depending on the degree of the injury and any new or pre-existing damage in the surrounding region, the repair may range from a simple filling to a more complicated procedure such as dental implants. A cosmetic dentist in Fresno, CA, can tell you more, so schedule a consultation today.
What causes cracks or chips in teeth?
Chips and cracks can result from a variety of causes. This includes:
- Using teeth as a bottle opener
As tempting as it may sound, it is safer to find a real bottle opener. If you use your teeth to open a bottle or rip anything apart, you may inflict harm to your entire mouth, not just one tooth.
- Chewing on hard things
Chewing on ice, hard sweets, popcorn kernels, and nuts can cause a chipped tooth.
- Mouth Piercing
A piercing is a hard item that repeatedly comes into contact with your teeth. If a touch is severe enough, your tooth will chip.
- Tightening your jaw or grinding your teeth
Almost everyone experiences this at some point. Many people grind their teeth while sleeping or while stressed. If it becomes a regular activity, it may cause headaches, jaw pain, and serious tooth damage.
- Not wearing a mouthguard.
Contact sports may be quite destructive to your teeth, and wearing a mouthguard will dramatically reduce the likelihood of chipping a tooth.
Chipped/cracked teeth are a serious matter.
When you have a chipped or broken tooth, there are cosmetic and health implications to consider. When it comes to smiling aesthetics, even with long-time friends, a chip or crack could make you uncomfortable speaking, smiling, or laughing.
Dental health concerns are far more serious. A chip or fracture in a tooth indicates that it is likely to be weakened. Biting or chewing may cause the compromised tooth to shatter. The damage to the tooth also increases the likelihood of root canal infection and dental sensitivity, which is why treatment is essential.
Fixing a chipped or cracked tooth.
Dental bonding is a versatile treatment that includes adding composite resin to your front teeth. The hue matches your natural tooth color, and after the resin hardens, your teeth will appear new.
Another alternative is veneers, which are thin layers of porcelain that are affixed to the surface of the tooth, providing a natural-looking solution to your chipped tooth problem. Unlike dental bonding, which lasts around eight years, veneers can provide an additional decade of durability.
To learn more, speak to a cosmetic dentist today.