We often recommend dental bonding to repair a chipped tooth. Do you have questions about this unique cosmetic treatment? We can use bonding to help restore your tooth to full function and appearance, protecting your smile from serious complications, including tooth decay and infections.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Bonding
Question: What dangers will a chipped tooth pose?
Answer: Often, a chipped tooth exposes the sensitive inner layers of dentin to harmful bacteria. Tooth decay can then form, leading to discomfort and increasing the risk of an eventual infection. As a result, we always urge our patients to see us for tooth repair as soon as possible.
Question: How do I respond to a damaged tooth?
Answer: If you chip a tooth, we suggest trying to recover any lost pieces. However, if you can’t, don’t worry, we can still repair the tooth. On your way to our office, you can apply a cold compress against the side of the face to reduce swelling. You can also use gauze to stem any bleeding.
Question: How does bonding repair teeth?
Answer: With bonding, we clean the tooth and gently etch the surface. We then apply a specially-shaded composite resin, the same material we use in our white fillings, in several layers. As the composite resin cures under a light the doctor sculpts and molds the tooth. Finally, we polish the tooth for a lifelike appearance. We can correct chipped teeth, close gaps between teeth, and even mask discoloration.
Question: How long does treatment take?
Answer: The entre procedure only takes one visit. We may also perform contouring in the same visit, which involves buffing away tooth structure to dull overly pointed teeth or remove any pits/grooves in the tooth surface.
