Is a Chipped Tooth Cosmetic, or More Serious?
A chipped tooth seems serious to some people, but can seem inconsequential to others. In many cases, it just depends on how serious the damage seems. If it’s highly visible when you smile and speak, then fixing the chipped tooth can seem like an urgent matter. If it isn’t that visible, or the chip seems small, then you might think it’s okay to just let it be for now. The truth, though, is that chipped off pieces of a tooth can leave it weak and vulnerable to more damage. Fortunately, many cases of chipped teeth can be successfully repaired with minimally invasive cosmetic or restorative treatment.
When your tooth loses some of itself
Your tooth’s structural integrity is vital, especially every time you bite and chew. When whole and healthy, your teeth are the most resilient parts of your body. However, if even a small chip off, it can negatively impact the tooth’s overall structural integrity and, therefore, it’s ability to continue to functioning properly. Because a chip is less severe than other forms of tooth damage, such as severe fracture, the damage to your tooth might be corrected with minimally invasive cosmetic treatment, if you treat the tooth quickly enough.
Why are chipped teeth easy to ignore?
When a chipped tooth isn’t that visible, it’s easy to ignore because you hardly, if ever, see it. If you can see the tooth when you smile into the mirror, but the chip is small, the damage might not seem severe enough to warrant treatment right away. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the importance of any kind of damage to their healthy tooth structure. When left ignored, such damage grows worse, and even if you don’t see it, your tooth will grow continuously weaker and susceptible to more serious concerns.
A few options for fixing chipped teeth
Because of the potential consequences of a chipped tooth to your overall oral health, it should never be considered purely a cosmetic issue, even if minor. However, when addressed promptly, chipped teeth can often be fixed with cosmetic treatment, such as tooth bonding or a porcelain veneer. Restoring a chipped tooth with a cosmetic enhancement can minimize the amount of treatment and changes to your tooth structure necessary, helping you keep your healthy, natural tooth stronger in the long run.
Treat your chipped tooth seriously
Whether it seems serious or not, a chipped tooth should always be fixed as soon as possible. To learn more, call our Cleveland Family Dentistry office in Cleveland, TX, today at (281) 592-1234. We also serve the residents of Kingwood, Conroe, Livingston, and all surrounding communities.