I have a minor crack in the enamel down the face of my right front tooth. This didn't occur naturally, I know at one time I picked at a spot on this tooth and potentially started something. Of course I didn't notice this crack until months later, and between those times I'm sure I hit the tooth off of a fork, or my coffee mug. What is the optimal least invasive way to fix this, and produces the most aesthetic result? I also feel that a veneer is a bit excessive for something like this.
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Answers (4)
From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
A chip is most often fixed with a filling, at worst a veneer or crown. Since it doesn't hurt, the nerve likely isn't involved which would require a root canal. When teeth get fixed before they hurt, it costs less to fix.
It sounds like tooth #30 wouldn't be worth fixing by your description. Seeing an x-ray would be helpful, or even a picture. 'Heroic dentistry' could possibly patch it up for a while, but it wouldn't last and you'd be in the same position having to get it extracted.If the tooth is not able to be...
It is true that your remaining tooth piece will either work itself out. Or, it will heal over with bone. There is no harm leaving a small fractured piece of tooth. In fact, trying to get that piece out can push it up into the sinus, which is then a much bigger problem!