Chips happen! From biting down too hard on a piece of food or ice, or an obscure object at just the ‘right angle,’ to an incidental accident or sports injury, chipped teeth are more common than you might think. It seems more familiar in youth due to the carefree and sometimes careless nature. We are much less concerned with our smile integrity and function at that point. Nevertheless, if you are a child or adult, a chipped tooth may just be something that you need to address with your dentist.
Crowns
Crowns are notably the best treatment for broken or cracked teeth. It encapsulates the entire tooth with a tooth-like shell. With this protectant, you are safer from the spreading of these cracks once the crown is bonded to your damaged tooth. They last longer than any other treatment due to their durability and structure, but they do tend to be pricey depending on how many you need.
Veneers
Veneers are another solution to substantial tooth chips. Veneers are this paper thin like tooth coverings, which mimic the aesthetics of your original tooth. You can also receive an improved, more perfected version if you are so inclined or if you have multiple teeth affected and want them all to look the same color or age appearance. Your original tooth is smoothed down and then the veneer is bonded to the surface. It is almost impossible to tell a veneer from the real deal.
Composite Fillings
Just like filling in those cavity cracks, a composite or ceramic filling can do the trick for many small chips or cracks. In these modern times, the dentist can most likely match the color of the fill to your natural tooth color. After the filling is applied, the practitioner will smooth the edges to get the shape as close to the original as possible. This way it will not affect your bite. Finally, it is quickly hardened with a curing light, and you are good to go!