Compared to other dental injuries, chipped teeth sometimes don’t seem like a big deal. After all, they don’t amount to tooth loss; all of your pearly whites are still where they should be. You might think the teeth in question can thus get better on their own. However, the truth is that chipping isn’t something enamel can heal. To truly recover, you’ll need treatment from a professional dentist. To learn more, here’s a summary of how to help your chipped tooth in Selbyville.
Why Won’t a Chipped Tooth Heal?
As it turns out, body parts can only repair themselves with cells. Skin, bones, and organs heal by regenerating damaged cells and making new ones.
Unfortunately, your enamel doesn’t have such cells. In fact, 90% of the layer is made of minerals — various inorganic materials. The only parts of your teeth with cells are the dentin and pulp. As a result, your tooth’s enamel can only recover enough to fight cavities or infections. It can’t make chips disappear.
Why Should I see a Dentist?
Leaving your chip untreated could hurt your body image. You might feel self-conscious about it over time, especially if you think it’s noticeable. From there, you’d probably experience a poorer mood and even social anxiety.
More importantly, chipped enamel presents health risks. For example, your injury could eventually trigger an infection. After all, an untreated chip is vulnerable to oral bacteria. You may even lose the tooth in question if you don’t do anything about it.
What Treatments Could a Dentist Offer?
There are several procedures a dentist could perform to fix your chip. They include:
- Dental Crown — A “cap” placed over your tooth that restores its appearance and protects it from harmful bacteria.
- Dental Bonding – Using a tooth-colored composite resin, your dentist can cover up chips. These results could then last ten years with good care.
- Veneers – Thin ceramic layers of porcelain applied to the front surface of teeth. Besides chips, they can also hide tooth stains, fractures, and even misalignment.
To fix your chipped tooth in Selbyville, see a dentist instead of waiting for healing. You’ll then receive results that restore your smile to its former glory!
About the Author
Dr. James Kramer is a dentist based in Selbyville, DE, having attained his DMD from the Temple University School of Dentistry. For post-graduate training, he earned a Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry. Given this pedigree, his specialties are preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as orthodontics and periodontal therapy. Dr. Kramer currently practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable through his website and by phone at (302)-436-5133.