Repairing A Chipped Or Broken Tooth: What Are My Options?

If you have been avoiding speaking or smiling in public because of chipped or broken teeth, then we have good news for you; it’s time to stop and say hello to a confident and attractive smile. While a single damaged tooth can severely affect one’s smile and personality, cosmetic dentistry has the power to transform even the most blemished smiles. 

In this blog, we discuss the various options available to restore crooked or chipped teeth and enjoy a healthy and lasting smile. So, read on to learn more about cosmetic dentistry options for a complete smile makeover. 

Is It Possible To Fix A Chipped Tooth Without Replacing It?

Many people think that the only option to fix a chipped tooth is to remove it and replace it with dental implants. This is not true. The fact is that there are several options available to restore damaged teeth. For example, you could benefit from cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns to have your chipped or crooked teeth restored. So, tooth replacement is NOT the solution for fixing blemished teeth. 

How Do I Fix A Broken Tooth?

As mentioned earlier, there are several options available to restore broken teeth, such as porcelain veneers, crowns, or dental bonding. Your dentist will recommend the best option for you after a thorough clinical examination and detailed treatment planning. 

What Are My Options In Repairing Badly Chipped Front Teeth?

If you have one or more chipped front teeth, you can restore them with the following cosmetic treatment options

• Dental Bonding – according to the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, cosmetic bonding is a procedure in which your dentist will apply a tooth-coloured, resin-based filling on your teeth to mask aesthetic defects and restore their shape. Dental bonding is one of the most commonly performed procedures to fix cosmetic dental defects. 
• Porcelain Veneers – according to the American Dental Association, veneers are very thin shells of composite resins or porcelain bonded to the front surfaces of damaged teeth. Veneers are used for fixing various aesthetic and restorative dental issues such as teeth chips or cracks. 
• Dental Crowns – a crown is a cap-shaped structure that sits on the exposed surfaces of the teeth. The margins of dental crowns are sometimes extended below the gum line to enhance the aesthetics. Dental crowns are suitable for fixing grossly damaged teeth. 

What Happens To Teeth That Are Too Damaged To Fix?

Thanks to modern cosmetic dentistry, even the most grossly damaged teeth can be repaired using porcelain veneers, bonding, or crowns. Your dentist will make every effort to utilise restorative and cosmetic procedures to fix damaged teeth. However, if a tooth is so badly damaged that it cannot be restored, your dentist will remove it and replace it with an implant-supported prosthesis. 

Can We Fix New Teeth On Broken Teeth?

As discussed earlier, most damaged teeth can be repaired without extraction. However, it is not possible to fix a new tooth on a broken tooth. The damaged tooth will have to be removed first and then replaced with a suitable treatment option such as dental implants. 

How To Learn To Fix A Chipped Tooth Without Going To The Dentist?

If you suddenly have a chipped front tooth, the first to do is preserve the broken piece. Next, you should visit your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist may be able to re-bond the broken tooth chip back to its position in some cases. 

Alternatively, if the broken chip cannot be re-bonded to the tooth, your cosmetic dentist will restore the damaged tooth with dental bonding, dental crown, or porcelain veneers. 

Can Chipped Tooth Enamel Be Repaired?

Dental enamel is the outermost covering of our teeth and happens to be the hardest tissue in our body. The function of dental enamel is to provide a protective layer and prevent the underlying, softer tissues, dentine and pulp. Unfortunately, if the enamel is chipped off from a tooth, it can be regrown or repaired. The only solution in this case is to replace the lost tissue with a suitable filling material. Dentists may also use topical remineralising agents such as fluoride varnish to promote mineral deposition and reinforcement of the damaged tooth structure. 

When Will It Be Possible To Regenerate Broken Teeth?

Unlike other body tissues that have the potential to regrow, dental tissues such as enamel, dentine, or pulp cannot be regenerated. So, once these tissues get damaged, the only option is to restore the tooth with a suitable filling material. In cases where the damage is too extensive, and the underlying pulp tissue is exposed, your dentist may perform a root canal procedure first and then place a filing over it. 

Is It Better To Have A Tooth Repaired Or Pulled?

Dental experts recommend repairing damaged teeth over extractions. Why? Because no matter how good or long-lasting restorative materials may be available currently, they may not be as durable or strong as our natural teeth. So, it is always advisable to get a damaged tooth restored rather than having it extracted and replaced with dentures or implants. 

If you are looking for the best cosmetic dentist in Surrey, England for the restoration of your chipped or cracked teeth, you should visit Horsely Dental for all your dental needs. We offer the highest-quality services in town to our esteemed patients at affordable rates. So, request a free consultation today and let us give you the beautiful smile that you genuinely deserve.