Just because you have a damaged tooth, doesn’t mean a metal restoration is the only option for repairing your smile. To help our Mansfield, TX, patients, often in as little as one visit, we may suggest a dental bonding procedure. How does bonding offer lifelike repair? What happens if you don’t seek care for you damaged tooth?

The Risks of Ignoring That Chipped Tooth

When you chip a tooth, the resulting damage may appear minor, more embarrassing than harmful. However, any damage to the tooth could compromise the outer layer of tooth enamel, enabling harmful bacteria to reach the inner structure. Known as dentin, the inner layers are much more sensitive, and the tooth could develop a cavity. Without treatment, cavities often lead to tooth sensitivity, aches, or even an increased risk of infection. When you damage a tooth, let us know so we can examine your smile and see if you need treatment. Remember, even if no damage is visible, you may want a checkup anyway, as dental fractures are practically invisible to the naked eye, but still a danger to the smile.

The Cosmetic Bonding Procedure

With bonding, we correct minor damage, such as chips and small fractures. We begin by cleaning the tooth thoroughly. We may also etch the surface. The composite resin we use in the procedure will be prepped and shaded to match the tooth. The material is then applied in several layers, mimicking the translucent nature of tooth enamel. The dentist then molds the tooth carefully as the composite resin cures. The final step involves polishing the tooth to help ensure a more natural appearance. Along with repairing damage, the procedure can also close gaps between the teeth and even mask permanent teeth stains, the kind of discoloration that may not respond to traditional teeth whitening.

Dental Contouring

We also have another option that repairs minor damage in one visit: dental contouring. We buff away small layers of outer structure to dull sharp/pointed teeth, reshape damaged or malformed teeth, and remove any pits or grooves in the tooth’s surface. We may perform the procedure in the same visit as your bonding procure. If you have any questions about our cosmetic treatment options, or if you have a damaged tooth, then please contact our team today. We want to help you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile, whether you have stains or chipped teeth.

Have You Chipped Your Tooth?

If you break a tooth, or fracture one, then we may be able to fix the problem in just one visit. For more information on our cosmetic restorations and treatment options, then schedule a consultation by calling our dentist’s office in Mansfield, TX, today at 817-473-6227.