Treatment Options for Chipped Teeth By Dr. Scott Parr on December 08, 2015

If you have a chipped tooth, then you are probably concerned for a number of reasons. For one, it is affecting the appearance of your smile, a fact of which you are reminded every time you look in the mirror. For another, you might be worried about how this chip might be affecting the structural integrity of your tooth. Could it lead to worse problems down the line?

Fortunately, at The Smile Center, the restorative and cosmetic dentistry practice of Drs. Scott Parr and Tara Frey, we offer a number of outstanding treatment options to repair chipped teeth. Our dentists take the time to explain these treatment options for chipped teeth in detail during consultations at our Virginia Beach, VA practice so that patients can make the most informed and confident decisions possible regarding their care.

If you have one or more chipped teeth, we urge you to tend to them sooner rather than later by visiting The Smile Center at your earliest convenience.

How Are Chipped Teeth Treated?

Chipped teeth can occur as a result of trauma or injury to the tooth or as a result of an underlying dental problem. If a chip results from the latter, then it is important to diagnose and treat the problem. In any event, the most appropriate treatment for a chipped tooth depends largely on the cause of the chip, as well as the severity of the chip and the goals and budget of the patient.

The treatments available for treating chipped teeth include:

Tooth-colored dental fillings: For chipped side teeth, our dentists can use a composite resin material matched to the color of the natural tooth to fill the chip. Tooth-colored dental fillings are as strong and durable as silver amalgam fillings, but they are mercury free and far more aesthetically appealing.
Inlays and onlays: If a chip is too large for the tooth to support a tooth-colored dental filling, but not large enough to require a dental crown, then our dentists may fill the chip with an inlay or an onlay. An inlay is a custom-crafted ceramic restoration that fits within the protruding cusps of a tooth, while an onlay extends to one or more of the cusps.
Dental crowns: For chips that are too large to support an inlay or an onlay, our dentists will cover the entire visible surface area of the tooth with a dental crown. A dental crown will protect the natural tooth and prevent the chip from leading to further damage.
Porcelain veneers: If your chip affects one of the front teeth, a porcelain veneer may provide an ideal solution. Porcelain veneers are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth to conceal chips and other cosmetic imperfections. They are customized to complement surrounding natural teeth in terms of color, shape, size, and even texture.
Dental bonding: By applying a composite resin material to the front surfaces of teeth, our dentists can conceal chips. Dental bonding offers an outstanding, cost-efficient alternative to porcelain veneers.