I’m not sure what to do and need some advice. I tripped and ended up chipping one of my front teeth. It’s not a huge chip, but it bothers me. My sister told me that dentists can fix chipped teeth even if you don’t have the broken piece. I went in to see my dentist. While he did say he could fix it, he said the solution would be for him to crown my two front teeth. I’m not too keen on that, especially because the other tooth is fine. When I asked him why both teeth, he said so that they could match. While I get that they need to match, it feels stupid to grind down two healthy teeth. I’m worried I’m letting my vanity get in the way of sensibility. What do you think? Crown the teeth or live with a small chip?
Elaine
Dear Elaine,
While I am sure your dentist is trying to do his best for you, I’m going to recommend you see someone else to repair this chipped tooth. Many dentists need to do two crowns on front teeth to match them, however, there are great cosmetic dentists who can match a single crown. If a crown were the right course of action, then another dentist could do the treatment just on one tooth.
The easiest way to find a highly skilled cosmetic dentist is to look on the website of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (aacd.com). They have a link to help patients find a cosmetic dentist. However, you want one who has reached the accreditation level. AACD accredited dentists are the top cosmetic dentists in the country. Any one of them can match a single porcelain crown to a front tooth.
All that being said, you really don’t even need a crown on the one tooth let alone two. Yes, a crown will cover the chip, but there are much less aggressive ways to repair it.
Dental Bonding for Chipped Teeth
Dental bonding is the standard treatment for a chipped tooth.
The standard treatment for this is to have dental bonding placed on the tooth. This uses a composite resin which a cosmetic dentist will sculpt freehand onto the tooth. I wouldn’t push your family dentist to do this. It is obviously not a procedure he is familiar with and it would take some technical skill along with artistry to do it right.
Instead, I would find an excellent cosmetic dentist and have them do the procedure. You won’t have to completely switch dentists. You can still go to your family dentist for everything else,
There is a cosmetic consideration here (aside from the chipped tooth). Whatever color your dentist makes your bonding is permanent. If you are even considering having teeth whitening done on your teeth, it will save you money to do that before you have your bonding done.
Otherwise, your natural tooth structure will whiten but not your bonding. Then you’ll have to have the bonding re-done to match the newer color.
This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.