Did you know that many people grind their teeth without realizing it? The truth is that a large portion of bruxism (teeth grinding) occurs during sleep. Oftentimes this nighttime habit is discovered by a dental professional, who notices signs of wear on a patient’s teeth. The patient is then prescribed an oral appliance, called a sleep guard, for nighttime wear. The sleep guard protects the patient’s teeth from further damage caused by bruxism. However, if the patient does not receive a sleep guard, or if he or she neglects to wear it, teeth may chip and become damaged. Thankfully, your
Grand Prairie dentist, Dr. Quinn Smith, can repair chipped teeth. Below, he discusses a couple of options for restoring a damaged smile.
Repairing Chipped Teeth with Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure that applies a composite resin to the damaged tooth. This resin is the same material used in white dental fillings. It is durable when hardened and can be customized in color so that it matches the shade of the tooth it repairs. When performing dental bonding, your
Grand Prairie cosmetic dentist, Dr. Smith, first applies the resin to the damaged tooth. He then sculpts the resin into the desired shape and hardens it with a curing light. Once hardened, the resin becomes very sturdy, allowing the restoration to last for several years. Following the hardening of the resin, Dr. Smith puts the finishing touches on the tooth and finishes by polishing it.
Dental Veneers and Chipped Teeth
Dental veneers adhere to the front surface of teeth, where they can mask a variety of cosmetic problems. Thus if teeth are chipped, veneers can improve their appearance dramatically. The application of dental veneers takes about three dental visits. Veneers typically last longer than dental bonding. However, they tend to be more expensive.
Schedule a Visit with Your Grand Prairie Cosmetic Dentist
Do you have a chipped tooth that needs to be repaired?
Contactour 75052 dental office to schedule an appointment or a consultation with your
Grand Prairie cosmetic dentist, Dr. Smith, today by calling 972-262-5111. We welcome patients from Grand Prairie, Arlington, South Dallas, Cedar Hill, Duncanville, and surrounding communities.
