While it’s somewhat rare, there are times when tooth enamel can be chipped. This is even more likely to happen if you grind your teeth at night or if you have a bad habit of nibbling on foreign objects, chewing on ice or using your teeth as tools. The location and severity of the chip will determine the treatment that your dentist, Dr. Michael Hall, recommends to effectively repair the tooth enamel.
Should a large chip compromise a significant amount of tooth enamel, your dentist will likely recommend restoring the entire tooth enamel layer with a porcelain dental crown. If one or more teeth are deeply chipped and they give you pain, he might need to perform a root canal to remove the damaged internal structures of the tooth before fitting it with a porcelain crown.
The porcelain material can be shaded to match the natural tooth enamel of the surrounding teeth, giving it the appearance of a real tooth.
If you have small chips on multiple teeth in your smile, your dentist might be able to fit you for a set of porcelain dental veneers. These are porcelain shells that cover the faces of the teeth. They will effectively address the chips and give you a white and winning smile.
If you have chips on one or more teeth, you should call 541-389-0300 to explore your restoration and repair options at Central Oregon Dental Center. Your dentist in Bend, Oregon, is happy to help you!
