Reno Dentists Explain How a Chipped Tooth Is Repaired

You’re gazing into the mirror after a good night’s rest when something strange catches your eye. Leaning closer, you open your mouth to examine one of your teeth. Your heart stops as you notice that a piece of your tooth has gone missing during the night. Now, trying to keep yourself from flying into a panic, you race to your computer to see how your tooth might be repaired.

If this situation has happened to you, you’ll be interested to know that cosmetic dentistry is very capable of repairing a chipped tooth. The treatment typically comes down to one of two methods called dental contouring and dental bonding. Your Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans, describe both treatments and when they are best used to repair chipped teeth.

Dental Contouring

Dental contouring can repair small chips in a tooth by scraping away small amounts of the enamel. Think of dental contouring as a process similar to sanding. It can remove imperfections in the surface of the tooth, resulting in a smooth surface with no chips.

Dental Bonding

If the missing portion of the tooth is a little larger, your Reno cosmetic dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans, may use dental bonding to repair the damage. Dental bonding uses a composite resin to reshape teeth. When repairing a chipped tooth with dental bonding, Dr. Wager or Dr. Evans will first apply the resin to the tooth and sculpt it into a rough shape. Next, he will harden the resin with a curing light before putting the finishing touches on the tooth’s shape. Finally, he will polish the tooth to complete the procedure. The resin used in dental bonding is color matched to the damaged tooth, and when hardened by a curing light, it is very strong, making it resistant to further damage.

Schedule a Visit with Your Reno Cosmetic Dentists

Have you chipped a tooth? Do you want it repaired fast? Schedule an appointment with your Reno cosmetic dentists, Dr. Wager and Dr. Evans. Contact our 89502 dentist office at 775-829-7700. We are proud to serve patients in Reno, Sparks, Sun Valley, Spanish Springs, and surrounding communities.