Chipped Teeth
Chipped Teeth
If you have a broken or chipped tooth your dentist can evaluate the tooth for possible treatment. It is important to have the tooth evaluated right away, because in some situations a minor procedure now can save you from a more significant procedure in the near future!
A very small chip may be corrected by enamel shaping. If the chip is a little larger, the best options may be bonding or a veneer. If the chip is on a molar, an on-lay may be appropriate. Large chips and fractured teeth generally require a crown. If the fracture involves the nerve, Root Canal Therapy may be necessary before the tooth is crowned. It is important to have a broken tooth crowned before it becomes infected or abscessed!
In extreme cases, a broken tooth cannot be saved. In this case, an extraction is needed. The missing tooth can be replaced with an implant, bridge or a partial denture. Each case is unique. Only your dentist can properly diagnose the best course of treatment for your tooth.