Is There Anything I Can Do for This Chipped Tooth?

Question

#25 is chipped from making contact with #8. The thickness was chipped & the front of the tooth bonded. I was told the corner (also thickness chipped) damage couldn't be fixed because it was a small area. Another dentist told me it likely could have been fixed at the time of bonding but for whatever reason the first dentist didn't do it. I know it's not a big chip but it drives me nuts, I drag my lips over the rough edges constantly. Is there anything I can do to fix this or am I out of luck?

Scott Young, DDS · Answer

It sounds as though this has really become a problem for you even though the chip is small.  The most conservative treatment would be to try dental bonding.  I would get fitted for a night guard  after the bonding to help protect it against any grinding.  If this comes off a time or two, then I would consider moving toward a laminate porcelain veneer.  These are extremely durable for those teeth that can't manage dental bonding. Hope this helps.

Madeleinne Zapantis, DMD · Answer

Please insist your Dentist fix this.  He/she probably did not understand how much it is annoying you.  You have several options: 

	
		Did your Dentist try smoothing the rough area?  Many times patients are not bothered by the chip, but the sensation it causes to their lip and tongue.  This sounds like what you are experiencing- try it and see. 
	
		If that doesn't work, then ask your Dentist to bond that area, or at the worst replace the existing boding with a new one that incorporates the chipped, rough area.  Realize that this is more unpredictable and may fail, as your bite might be off and may even need adjusting if you really want the bonding to last. 
	
		Finally an aggressive option is a veneer or crown, but I would urge you to get a second opinion about the bonding first if you choose to pursue this option. 


	Good Luck and Happy New Year.

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

When your try to restore a corner of a tooth that is banging against a tooth above it can be somewhat of a challenge but if it is annoying you the way it feels there should be no problem getting it taken care of.  Sometimes a simple smoothing can alleviate the tongue from rubbing up against the edge.  You can try and bond it to see if that works as well.  A veneer or a crown would be a less conservative option for you.  Good luck in fixing your problem

Scott Greenhalgh, DDS · Answer

If it's driving you nuts, you should absolutely have it fixed. If it's a very small area, sometimes some very fine polishing is enough to make your tongue happy.

	For anything larger than that I would go ahead and bond it. Occasionally if there is not much room, a good cosmetic dentist will smooth off the top tooth where it hits this new bonding to make sure there is not too much pressure there.

	For the most part, bonding here looks great and works really well. I tell my patients that you need to be careful not to put too much pressure there or you can pop the bonding off. Whatever chipped your tooth originally, can chip the bonding as well.

	I think that a good cosmetic dentist will look over all of your front teeth, watch how they touch and slide, and in my office, we would make sure that ALL of your front teeth look smooth and even (and feel smooth!).

George Koutsoukos, DDS · Answer

I am so sorry that you seem to have not been able to fix a small problem that is driving you nuts!  I do not understand why the corner can not be fixed. It seems to me that with the the right dentist, your bonding in the front should be smooth and the tooth can be built up and made smooth in the back. You can not help but continue to feel rough edges when they are there.  These can easily be made smooth.  If you can not find a solutiion to correct the bonding,  a crown or a  veneer might be your answer, but they are  far more expensive.

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Is There Anything I Can Do for This Chipped Tooth?

Answers (10)

Answer: Bonding for Front Lower Tooth Chip

Answer: Bonding for Front Lower Tooth Chip

Answer: Fixing a Chipped Tooth so you don't go crazy

Answer: Fixing a Chipped Tooth so you don't go crazy

Answer: Restoring a tooth that is driving you nuts

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Answer: Is There Anything I Can Do for This Chipped Tooth?

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Answer: Fix The Bonding

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