A healthy tooth can become damaged in a number of different ways, and the extent of that damage can vary greatly. For example, you might have a severe fracture in the tooth, or have a significant piece of the structure break off. In such cases, the need to treat and restore the tooth as soon as possible may be obvious. However, a tooth might just become slightly worn down or have a piece chip off of it. When tooth damage seems minor, like a chipped tooth, fixing the problem might not seem like such an immediate need. However, it can become much more severe if you wait long enough, which is why we often suggest fixing a chipped tooth as soon as possible.
Does it really need to be fixed?
In many cases, a chipped tooth can seem like mostly a cosmetic dental concern. That’s because the appearance of your tooth can seem like the biggest consequence, especially if the tooth doesn’t experience any discomfort. However, even with a small chip in its structure, your tooth can become weaker and less able to sustain the pressure of your bite. It might also change the balance of your bite, depending on the position and extent of the chip. The longer you wait to fix it, the greater damage your tooth can sustain, and the more extensive treatment you could require to restore your smile.
How bonding can restore the tooth
Tooth bonding is a conservative treatment that involves the use of biocompatible, tooth-colored composite resin to restore and/or improve a portion of your healthy tooth structure. The resin is tinted to match the specific color and shade of your tooth structure, allowing it to blend in discreetly no matter where it’s placed. After bonding the resin to the chipped area of your tooth, we can sculpt it to match the size, shape, and contour of the healthy tooth, restoring the tooth’s full and healthy structure.
The benefits of cosmetic tooth bonding
While there are many options for restoring a tooth that’s damaged or otherwise compromised, the most beneficial treatment is often the most conservative one. With tooth bonding, we can often restore chipped teeth without having to alter the healthy, natural tooth structure. By preserving a maximum amount of this structure, tooth bonding helps improve the tooth’s long-term strength and integrity, thereby reducing its risk of sustaining further damage.
Learn if bonding can fix your chipped tooth
Having a chipped tooth might not seem like a big deal, but waiting too long to treat it could lead to more extensive tooth damage than you expected. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
