How to Treat Chipped Teeth Effectively

A chipped tooth isn’t a cause for a medical emergency unless the patient experiences pain or the inner layers are exposed. If you are worried about your teeth looking unsightly when smiling, you might consider chipped teeth treatment. Read on to learn more about the procedure, including tips for finding the best chipped teeth treatment hospital in India.

What Causes A Chipped Tooth?

Chipped teeth usually occur because of an injury or trauma. Sometimes, it could be caused by biting something hard especially if the tooth is decayed. But it could happen to perfectly healthy teeth as well. It’s best to consult your dentist as soon as possible to prevent further damage.

Chipped Teeth Treatment Procedure

Chipped teeth treatment procedure depends on the severity of the damage. For instance, if only a small part of the enamel is broken, it can be mended with a simple filling. But if the damage is severe, treatment could range from tooth reattachment and root canal to dental caps and implants. Below, we discuss some of these treatment options.

Bonding

As earlier said, bonding is suggested for small or simple chips. This chipped teeth treatment procedure involves applying a tooth-coloured composite resin material mould over the tooth and then reshaping it to take the shape of the chip, making it appear as if it were part of the tooth. This is a simple procedure that’s effective and affordable. And, most importantly, it looks natural.

Dental Cap

If a large portion of the tooth is missing or has decayed significantly, the dentist may suggest filing away the remaining tooth and covering it with a cap to protect the tooth and maintain aesthetic appearance. The cap is tooth-shaped and made from metal, porcelain, resin, or ceramic. While metal crowns are the strongest, porcelain and resin resemble the tooth the most. Sometimes, if the entire tooth is missing, but the root is intact, the dentist may perform a root canal to place a pin in the canal and create a structure around it to attach a crown.

This chipped teeth treatment takes 2-3 visits to the dentist’s office and begins with the dentist taking X-rays of the tooth and surrounding area to assess the damage. During the actual procedure, they will remove enough of the remaining tooth to make room for the crown. Now, the dentist will use a putty-like material to take an impression of the affected tooth and the tooth it will touch when you bite down. Until the crown is made, the dentist applies a temporary crown. After the permanent crown is placed, the dentist will remove the temporary crown and apply the permanent one using dental cement.

Dental Veneers

Porcelain covers, or dental veneers, are placed on the chipped tooth for a natural and smooth appearance. While veneers are expensive, they last for a long time. To the uninitiated, dental veneers are thin tooth–coloured attachments that cover the front of the tooth. But to perform this chipped teeth treatment, the dentist must remove around 0.3 to 1.2 millimeters of the enamel from the surface. The dentist takes an impression of the tooth to make a dental veneer and then places it on the tooth’s surface. Finally, the veneer is attached to the tooth using dental cement and hardened using a special light that activates chemicals in the cement.

Root Canal Treatment

If the damage is significant enough and exposes the pulp containing nerves and blood vessels, bacteria from the mouth could damage the pulp. If left untreated, the pulp tissue can die, and the only way out is to extract the teeth to prevent further infection. Root Canal Treatment involves removing the pulp, cleaning the root canal, and sealing it. The dentist then covers the affected tooth using a dental crown.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are the last solution and are suggested when the damage is severe and very little of the actual tooth remains. In instances of tooth damage, the dentist removes the tooth, allowing it to heal before attaching the implant. A permanent metal post inserted in the gumline helps hold the implant. Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. Needless to say, this is an expensive and time-consuming chipped teeth treatment.

Chipped Teeth Treatment Cost In India

The cost of chipped teeth treatment largely depends on the severity of the damage, the treatment method provided, and the expertise of the surgeon performing the procedure. For instance, dental implant surgeries cost around INR 15,000 to even INR 1,00,000.

Finding The Best Chipped Teeth Treatment Hospital In India

With India becoming the hub for affordable medical care, plenty of hospitals offer excellent chipped teeth treatment. We suggest working with an experienced maxillofacial surgeon to ensure a speedy recovery and affordable treatment. Dr Sunil Richardson is a renowned oral and dental expert who has helped millions smile confidently.