Small dental fractures and chips can damage your tooth enamel. They can be caused by a wide range of things. Grinding your teeth when you sleep, nibbling on desktop items, and using your teeth as tools, are just a few of the common causes of dental fractures.
Even if the damage doesn’t cause discomfort, you should still seek treatment at Dr. Tom G. Schleicher’s dental office. Over time plaque and food residue could become trapped in the damaged tooth enamel causing a cavity to form.
Dr. Schleicher can repair a small dental fracture with a basic dental filling. This requires a thorough examination to assess the severity of the damage.
Dr. Schleicher will numb the tooth and surrounding gum before using a dental drill to remove a small amount of additional tooth enamel. This will prepare a strong surface to bond the dental filling in place.
The specific material Dr. Schleicher uses for the dental filling will depend on the tooth’s primary function and its visibility in your smile. A composite dental filling is made from a special type of dental resin. It can be shaded to match the existing tooth enamel making it difficult for the casual observer to notice the any difference in the repaired tooth.
An amalgam dental filling is made from a blend of special dental metals. This material is soft when it is first applied to the tooth then it will be hardened with a special ultraviolet light.
If you live in the Colonial Heights, Virginia, area and you have a chipped tooth, you should call 804-526-0231 to have it examined and repaired at Thomas G. Schleicher, DDS PLC.