Cracked tooth, splitted. Medically accurate 3D illustrationYour smile says a lot about you. It communicates your confidence, happiness, and you’re your level of oral care. As such, many people place a great emphasis on how their grin looks, taking care to provide the extra care that keeps it looking bright and youthful. Bear in mind, however, that even a minor blemish of any sort can drastically impact a person’s view of their grin, and sometimes this results in an even bigger concern. In today’s blog, your Leawood, KS dentist will discuss what your treatment options are when encountering a chip or a crack, as well as how to determine its severity.

Determining Severity

Though it is not ideal, cracks and chips can occur at any given time to any person. Indeed, they are often brought on by some form of injury caused by an accident, and as such, can range in terms of severity. Of course, the severity will determine what your best options are for treatment, as well as what tactics should be used to best address the concern.

You see, a surface-level chip or crack may not impact your oral health, offering nothing more than a noticeable smile blemish. In cases such as these, your dentist would likely recommend cosmetic treatment. If, however, the injury results in significant damage, such as a tooth that has broken in half or a structure becoming dislodged entirely, this would constitute a dental emergency and transcend any cosmetic treatment.

Because time is of the essence when it comes to your oral health, we recommend reaching out to our team immediately to determine the best course of action for your smile. To learn more about this process, give our office a call today.

When It Is Only Surface-Level

Once you have received the clearance from your dentist that a chip or crack is merely a surface-level concern, you can begin to weigh your options in terms of cosmetic treatment. Though porcelain veneers can address a variety of concerns, they may not be warranted for treating only one or two cracks. As such, your dentist may instead recommend the help of cosmetic bonding and contouring. Contact our team to learn more about this process and what your treatment plan may look like.

Benefits of Bonding and Contouring

Dental bonding and contouring consist of applying a composite material to the affected area, then contouring or shaping it appropriately. Once it has been placed in a manner that is satisfactory, your dentist will utilize a special light to cure the material. And that is all there is to it! You also receive the added benefit of a shade-matched composite material, meaning your tooth will be treated with a lifelike finish.

Schedule Your Appointment

Contact Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS by calling 913-681-5500 to schedule your next appointment with our team today and learn about your cosmetic bonding and contouring options.