How can I fix my chipped teeth?

How can I fix my chipped teeth?

If you’ve noticed your front teeth might have chipped recently or experienced recurring “chips”, you may be wondering what the cause of these issues is. Sometimes, our patients have recurring issues despite getting dental fillings to help fix the chips. While a dental filling, crown, or veneer can be used as a dental restoration “on top” of a tooth, it may not address the root cause of the issue. Often, recurring damage to the front teeth or damage to multiple adjacent teeth can indicate a “deeper bite” or an alignment of your natural positioning of the teeth, causing the tops of your teeth to contact each other. Whether subconsciously or just through regular wear, unfortunately, too much contact with the edges of teeth will subject them to damage. Significantly, if a tooth has weakened due to age, cavities, or other dental work.

Can I just get a quick fix for the chip?

While a chipped tooth repair is a very appropriate “immediate” remedy for situations such as dental accidents (e.g., sports, accidents, a pebble in a salad) if the damage seems to be happening “over time,” “randomly,” or “at night,” it may indicate that the chipped tooth repairs are insufficient and that a longer-term remedy such as a nightguard or orthodontic teeth straightening may be needed.

A nightguard can help protect your teeth and any restorations like fillings, bonding crowns, and veneers—it only protects when you wear it. Most often, our patients wear these guards in the evening when they are sleeping to prevent subconscious grinding and clenching. However, some also wear them during elevated physical activities such as team sports or at the gym.

In some cases, tooth damage may result from the “bite” or specific orientation of your teeth and jaw. Many of our patients have seen improvements in “opening” their bite to align the teeth to contact in better and safer positions.

Am I chipping my teeth?

It’s common for patients to come in worried about a chipped tooth either through regular daily habits or when chewing on something unexpected. Unfortunately, we’ve seen damage from hard candies, small rocks in bagged salad, and even accidentally biting on metal utensils like forks and spoons. This can often lead to a small chip or fracture on a natural tooth. If a tooth has had a history of cavities or other stress, this could further increase the likelihood of damage.

On the other hand, we have also seen many cases where a patient was worried about a chip but ended up on an existing filling or crown restoration. Another unpleasant but realistic scenario is the “chip” that was dislodged, which is hardened tartar which has built up – typically due to infrequent dental cleanings or daily dental hygiene. In these cases, while it may not be a “chipped” tooth causing dental risk, it can also be a strong signal to visit the dentist for a comprehensive dental checkup.

How can a chipped tooth be fixed?

Depending on the area and severity of the “chipped” tooth, your Winter Park dentist will have different options and strategies to help repair your tooth. Most commonly, if the chip is on a front tooth, the typical repair will be a color-shade-matched composite filling. Our dentist uses an array of different dental shades to match the current shade of your teeth so that the repair will be unnoticeable. Modern composites also allow bonding within a smaller area, so the dentist affects as little of your natural tooth as possible. However, because of the size of the front teeth (thinner), it is very common for filling repairs on the front teeth to become chipped again. This is not purposeful but a balance of the “minimally invasive” dental strategy. The dentist wants to minimize the amount of damage to your natural tooth. However – the more natural tooth surface that can be used, the stronger the filling will be. We always try to provide the right balance for patients so it is sufficiently strong while accounting for your natural tooth structure.

However, not all chipped teeth can be fixed with composite fillings. If a tooth has had more damage or prior dental restoration work, it may need a veneer or a crown to protect it fully. In these situations, the dentist may advise this full restoration, which will either build upon or completely replace existing fillings on the tooth—in addition to fixing the visible chipped tooth and providing a more robust replacement for future wear. 

On the opposite end of cases, some chips are superficial and minor, and Dr. Yu may not recommend doing any restoration on a healthy tooth. In these situations, she will recommend only sanding and polishing the tooth in the area to prevent any sharp edges so it is visibly pleasing. This is also done in the spirit of being minimally invasive, as drilling on an otherwise healthy tooth is typically not recommended. 

What can I do to prevent chipping my teeth?

While there is only so much that can be done as accidents occur, there are two considerations when it comes to decreasing the risk of chipped teeth. Firstly, staying semi-annually (every six months) with your dentist is recommended to ensure no active cavities or decay is weakening your natural teeth. Additionally, it may be wise to check your daily dental routine to ensure it gives you an appropriate amount of fluoride to help strengthen your enamel. Giving your toothpaste time to work after brushing (by not rinsing and only spitting your toothpaste) will also help the fluoride strengthen your teeth.

Secondly, if your Winter Park dentist has noticed wear on your teeth from clenching or grinding, you may be subjecting your teeth to more wear and should consider wearing a nightguard that will take the forces of your jaw. By preventing your top and bottom teeth from wear, you can minimize stress that can build up to chipped teeth or minor fractures.

If you have a chipped tooth or are worried about damage to your teeth or existing dental work, please call us or book an appointment on our website!

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