Dental Crowns or Dental Fillings for a Chipped Tooth

It is possible to have a chipped tooth and not even realize it at first. Or, you might have pain in your mouth or your lip or tongue on a jagged edge of your tooth. Even if the chip does not affect you physically, it could be embarrassing. To repair your smile and restore your mouth, your dentist can look at different methods. Two of the most common are fillings and crowns. Both have their benefits and might be useful in different situations.
Common reasons for a chipped tooth
People can chip a tooth at any age. This issue can occur due to poor oral health, including a lack of brushing and not going to regular dental appointments. Not taking care of teeth can weaken them, making them more prone to damage. Biting into something hard or using teeth to open packages are other ways in which parts of a tooth can break off. Injuries from falls or hard blows to the face can also result in chipped teeth.
How a filling works
Many dental patients know what it is like to get a cavity filled. This process entails the dentist drilling into the tooth to remove the decay and filling the space with a composite resin material. The same process can repair a chipped tooth. In this case, the dentist may not even need to numb the patient.
The resin is tooth-colored, so the filling will hardly be noticeable. The dentist applies it to the missing area of the tooth, building it up and hardening it quickly with the help of light. Once it is set, the dentist will smooth it out so there are no sharp edges. Then, the dentist tests the patient’s bite to make sure it is comfortable.
How a dental crown works
Crowns are caps that go over the top of a damaged tooth. They are common to use with broken teeth or badly decayed teeth. Patients with severely chipped teeth may prefer this option. It may also make sense to go this route if a molar is chipped.
A technician makes the natural-looking crown in a lab after the dentist takes X-rays and makes impressions during an initial appointment. A few weeks later, once the crown is ready, the patient returns to the office. The dentist places the crown over the damaged tooth, securing it with dental cement. The artificial tooth will closely resemble a natural tooth. It is also durable and allows the patient to chew properly.
Making the choice
The dentist will evaluate the extent of the tooth damage. If the chipped tooth is prone to getting worse, a crown may be the right solution. For more minor issues, a filling could work well. Neither is permanent but can last for several years with good care.
A new smile
A chipped tooth can hamper your facial appearance. To regain your beautiful smile, talk to your dentist about the right treatment. With a filling or crown, you can once again feel happy about the way you look. Make an appointment today and fill in that missing space on your tooth.
Request an appointment here: https://advanceddentalofnewwindsor.com or call Advanced Dental at (845) 228-8048 for an appointment in our New Windsor office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: What Should I Do If I Chip My Tooth in New Windsor, NY.
Recent Posts
If you have a chipped tooth, you may first worry about the cosmetic implications of this injury. Losing part of your tooth can be embarrassing and significantly impact your smile. In other cases, a chip could be so small that you do not notice it. Because there are various degrees of this condition, it is…
Dealing with chipped teeth can be uncomfortable and unsettling, yet it is something that happens to everyone at some point in their lives. You are more likely to chip a tooth as you get older as your teeth become more vulnerable especially if you do not take proper care of them. You might even find…
A chipped tooth can cause pain and lead to more issues with eating, speaking and other normal functions.If you chip your tooth, give us a call as soon as possible. If the chip is large enough, try to bring the piece of tooth that chipped off. The sooner we treat the chip, the better chance…
When a dental practitioner recommends a dental crown, it may not be up to the patient. These dental devices are used to treat various conditions that cause a tooth to need serious work. When a crown is required, it usually means that the tooth it covers is too far gone to be useful, but it…