Modern restorative dentistry can offer patients various sophisticated procedures to solve a wide range of cosmetic dental issues, including broken, cracked, and chipped teeth. Still, you may have wondered, "How long does it take to fix a chipped tooth? In this article, we answer this question and discuss the two dental procedures most commonly used to restore chipped teeth.
The length of a chipped tooth restoration procedure depends on the size of the damaged area and the type of procedure you choose for the restoration. Some procedures can take as little as one hour, while others will require several visits to the dental office. A chipped tooth can be fixed via multiple procedures, the most popular of which are dental bonding and dental veneers. Today, we examine these two procedures in detail.
Dental bonding is a procedure that uses a dental material called resin composite to restore teeth. It can restore dental fillings as well as chipped teeth. The material can be closely matched to the color of your natural teeth, so the restoration is discreet in the mouth.
Before the procedure of dental bonding, you will likely need to take an x-ray and an exam to make sure that the root and nerves of the tooth are not damaged. During the procedure of dental bonding, your dentist starts by roughening up the enamel on the tooth to achieve better adhesion of the material. Then, a resin composite is applied to the chipped tooth and molded to the proper shape. At the end of the procedure, the material is hardened and polished to achieve the natural shine.
The dental bonding procedure is typically performed in one visit to the dental office and can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes per tooth. The length of the procedure depends on the size of the bonding.
Dental bonding is typically painless as it is performed on the surface of the tooth and does not require recovery time. In addition to chipped tooth restoration, dental bonding can also effectively unify the shape and length of teeth, mask stains, and discoloration, and conceal gaps between teeth.
Dental veneers are another popular way to restore chipped teeth or to mask other cosmetic issues, such as unevenly shaped teeth, stains, discoloration, gaps between the teeth, or even a "gummy smile." They tend to be a more expensive solution compared to dental bonding. Most modern veneers are made of porcelain, but you can also opt for a cheaper option made of resin composite.
Dental veneers are thin shells that are attached to the entire front side of the tooth, while dental bonding is usually applied only to the damaged area. Porcelain veneers look indistinguishable in the mouth, as the material has slight translucency that is very similar to that of natural teeth. The most significant difference between veneers and dental bonding is the way they are applied to the teeth. Veneers typically require more preparation by removing some of the tooth's enamel so that the veneer can fit. Consequently, the procedure is irreversible, as a tooth cannot survive without its enamel.
In most cases, the procedure for dental veneers can involve two or more visits to the dental office. Before the procedure, you will also need an x-ray and an exam, as veneers can not be applied to decayed teeth, teeth with damaged roots or nerves, or if gum disease is present.
During the first visit, the teeth are prepared, and impressions are taken and sent to the lab to custom-make your future veneers. The process can take approximately one to three weeks. Temporary veneers are also applied to protect your teeth until the permanent set is ready.
During the second visit to the dental office, the permanent veneers will be applied to the teeth. Getting dental veneers to fix a chipped tooth from start to finish can take approximately 3 weeks. Each visit can take an hour or longer, depending on the number of teeth receiving veneers.
If you need to fix a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth, do not hesitate to make an appointment with a reliable and experienced dentist in Mission Viejo today. Our cosmetic dental specialists will examine the damage and recommend a restoration solution that is suitable for your case and your budget. We look forward to your visit to the Smile Dental Boutique.
