Get a Glamurous Smile

If your teeth have been damaged from an accident, such as a fall or automotive collision, you may have suffered cracks and chips during the incident. This damage may not cause you physical pain, but if the teeth are near the front of your mouth, it has probably negatively affected your appearance. Nevertheless, there are cosmetic dental services available to improve the look of your teeth and conceal cracks and chips. Here are a few of them:

Composite Bonding Material

Composite bonding material is made from resin, which is a type of plastic that is commonly used in dentistry. The material is pliable when applied but quickly hardens when exposed to a specialized UV light. 

To cover a crack or chip, the dentist simply molds the material over the damaged area and hardens it into place. The dentist selects the color of the bonding material to match the color of the damaged tooth.

Composite bonding material effectively fills in cracks or chips, but may require reapplication over time. The plastic material is not as durable as harder substances, such as porcelain.

Porcelain Veneers

If a crack or chip is minor, a dental veneer can be used to conceal the damage of the tooth. The veneer is actually a thin shell of dental ceramic material. It is shaped and colored to match your tooth and blend naturally in your mouth. 

Before the veneer is constructed, the dentist acquires a mold of your mouth. This mold is forwarded to a dental lab, where it can be used as a guide for the veneer. After the veneer is completed and sent to the dental office, the dentist can apply it to the cracked or chipped tooth. 

To ensure that the veneer is not noticeable and does not alter your natural bite, the dentist removes a small amount of tooth enamel from the tooth that will be covered. Once the veneer is in place, the application is permanent. However, as you age, the veneer may eventually require replacement.

Some people suffer a bit of gum recession as they grow older. This natural process may reveal the upper border of the veneer, making the restoration more obvious. Thus, a new, longer veneer may be needed to conceal the portion of the tooth that was covered by the gums when the original veneer was installed.

To learn more about applications that can be used to correct the look of a chipped or cracked tooth, schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist in your area. Contact a company like Alliance Family Dental for more info.