Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
Did you know that tooth enamel is the hardest and toughest substance in the human body? Still, teeth can chip and break, especially if a tooth has decay or an invisible fracture or if someone is forcefully struck in the mouth, falls and hits the mouth or bites down too hard on something. A condition called Bruxism — or the unconscious clenching and grinding of the teeth, usually during sleep — can also lead to weak or chipped teeth.
A chipped tooth may seem like no big deal because usually the tooth retains function and causes no pain. But chipped teeth can actually have several consequences, from mild to severe.
Today our Okemos dentist is looking at a few of them:
Appearance
A chip on a tooth that is visible in the smile can be embarrassing and lead someone to feel self-conscious. Depending on the location, it can also lead to a change in speech.
Pain
While in many cases a chipped tooth is not painful, some people aren’t so lucky. And even if the tooth doesn’t hurt right after it’s chipped, the act of the chipping, itself, can hurt. And if the tooth is left sharp or jagged, it can cut the tongue, lips and cheeks. A chip in a tooth can also cause tooth sensitivity, especially to heat and cold and sugary or acidic foods or drinks.
Overall dental health
If a chip is large or deep enough, it can affect a tooth’s nerve, leading to bigger, more painful complications. Infection can set in, which can further damage the tooth and the jaw if the tooth is left untreated. Even smaller chips can make it possible for acid-creating bacteria to gather and overcome the tooth. The acid can harm the tooth’s enamel, causing the area around the chip to decay. Bacteria and decay also cause bad breath.
Treatment
Cosmetic dental bonding — Bonding is an affordable and convenient way to repair a chipped tooth. It can also fix cracks, fractures and misshapen teeth, unwanted gaps between teeth and minor crowding and crookedness. Bonding can be completed in a single appointment. It involves a composite material being brushed over the affected tooth, then our cosmetic dentist near East Lansing shapes, polishes and blends the bonding to match surrounding natural teeth.
Veneers — Veneers are wafer-thin, durable “shells” that bond to the front surfaces of existing teeth and are a popular option to correct a variety of cosmetic dental issues, including chipped, stained, gapped or crooked teeth. Veneer treatment is minimally invasive and uses natural teeth as a base to completely transform a smile. Each veneer is custom-made to beautifully and naturally fit an individual’s teeth and smile. With proper dental care, veneers can last up to 20 years.
Veneers and Dental Bonding in East Lansing and Okemos
A chipped tooth can seem innocent enough, but it can also eventually lead to bigger problems. Let our dental team at Tenaglia Smiles evaluate your chipped tooth and recommend treatment. You can call us at (517) 940-8684, or reach out to us online today to schedule a consultation.