Chipped teeth can cause various complications, from creating difficulties in eating and speaking to affecting one’s smile and facial aesthetics. So, chipped teeth should be repaired without delay, especially if they are the front ones.
If you also have one or more chipped teeth and you want to know more about the options to fix them, you have come to the right place. This blog will explain various options for treating chipped or crooked teeth so you can make an informed decision about your treatment. So, read through the entire article to select a treatment option that best suits your needs.
What Are My Options In Repairing Badly Chipped Front Teeth?
When it comes to repairing badly chipped teeth, various options are available. For example, a commonly used option is cosmetic bonding. In this procedure, your dentist will apply a tooth-coloured, resin-based filling material on your teeth to restore their strength, shape, and aesthetics. Another option is veneers. A veneer is a thin shell made of porcelain or composites bonded to the front surface of chipped teeth to restore their aesthetics. Finally, a dental crown can be placed over chipped to reinforce them and restore their aesthetics.
Can They Reattach The Broken Part Of My Chipped Tooth?
Generally, it is not possible to reattach a broken piece of a tooth. However, you should bring it along, nevertheless, when visiting your dentist. This is because your dentist may be able to rebond the broken tooth fragment back to its position in some cases. However, it is essential to seek immediate treatment if one wants to have their broken tooth piece reattached.
Is Composite Bonding A Good Option For My Teeth?
Dental bonding is one of the most commonly performed dental procedures worldwide. In addition to being robust, these fillings are tooth-coloured. As a result, these fillings blend in perfectly with the neighbouring natural teeth and become virtually indistinguishable. Furthermore, composite bonding can fix dental issues like chipped, crooked, or stained. So yes, composite bonding is a good option for restoring damaged teeth.
Can Dental Bonding Be Added To The Back Of Front Teeth?
Dental bonding, also known as composite fillings, can be applied to any tooth’s surface. If you have a cavity on the back surface of one of your teeth front teeth, you can get it restored with a bonded restoration. However, if the cavity is very large, your dentist will first restore it with a composite filling and then reinforce it with a porcelain crown.
How Long Does Tooth Bonding Last?
Thanks to advancements in dental technology, composite restorations have become quite durable. On average, composite restorations can last up to 5 years. However, with proper care, you can expect your bonded restorations to last even up to years. The longevity of composite restorations also depends on the dentist’s skill. An experienced and qualified dentist can significantly enhance the lifetime of your bonded restorations.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Dental Crowns?
Like all dental restorations, prostheses, and procedures, dental crowns have their own merits and demerits.
The advantages of dental crowns are:
- Durability
- Porcelain crowns are aesthetically pleasing and blend in with the natural teeth
- Reinforcement of damaged teeth
- Masking permanent teeth stains
- Preventing tooth sensitivity
On the other hand, some of the disadvantages of dental crowns are:
- Require removal of more tooth structure than veneers
- Can get detached or fractured if excessive pressure is applied to them
- More costly than bonded fillings
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Dental Veneers?
If you are thinking of getting veneers for your chipped teeth, here are some of their pros and cons that will help you decide:
The pros of dental crowns are:
- Require lesser natural tooth removal than crowns
- Excellent aesthetics
- Fairly durable with proper care
On the other hand, the drawbacks of veneers are:
- Limited repair potential
- Successful treatment requires extensive experience
- High cost than direct fillings
- Can get chipped with hard and sticky foods
Chipped Tooth Repair Cost
The cost of repairing a chipped tooth mainly depends on the severity of the damage. If the damage is minimal, your dentist may use composite tooth bonding to restore it. The typical cost of tooth restoration with dental bonding is between £250-350 per tooth.
On the other hand, if the damaged tooth is a front one that is visible whenever one smiles or speaks, then your dentist may consider porcelain veneers to provide excellent aesthetics. A single tooth veneer in the UK may cost you between £650-£950 per tooth.
Finally, if the damage is moderate to severe, a porcelain crown is a suitable restorative option as it provides reinforcement and restores the aesthetics. The typical cost of a porcelain veneer in the UK is between £650 and £800.
Other factors also determine the cost of repairing chipped teeth. For example, the dentist’s location and expertise/ qualifications. Naturally, if you’re visiting a dentist in a metropolitan area, they will charge higher than one in a suburban area. Furthermore, specialist cosmetic or restorative dentists also charge higher than general dentists.
If you’re considering getting treatment for your crooked or chipped teeth in Oxford, The Oxford Smiles is the best place to visit. Our highly experienced and qualified dentists will ensure you get the best cosmetic dental treatment in town. So, request an appointment with us today and let us give you the smile you deserve.