The outer corner of my front left tooth is chipped. It’s large enough to be noticeable, leaving a dark space. When I smile, anyone who knows me asks what happened to my tooth. I am anxious because I cannot afford a $2,000 veneer, which is the option two dentists gave me during consultations. How can I get a less expensive fix without looking like I had tooth repair and being even more embarrassed? Thank you. Heather from Evanston, IL

 

Heather,

A cosmetic dentist can restore a mildly to moderately chipped tooth without a porcelain veneer. Of course, you will need an exam to determine the tooth’s condition and the extent of the chip.

Can You Restore a Chipped Tooth Without a Porcelain Veneer?

A cosmetic dentist can restore a chipped tooth without a porcelain veneer by using chairside dental bonding. Bonding contains silica or quartz and dental resin. Skilled cosmetic dentists have advanced training and stock varying composite shades to perfectly match the damaged tooth and surrounding teeth.

Avoid a general family dentist who may recommend a porcelain veneer or dental crown to restore a mildly to moderately chipped tooth. Those dentists often lack the training and artistic ability to layer and sculpt composite bonding to replicate your tooth’s original condition.

What Is the Dental Bonding Process for a Chipped Tooth?

Dental bonding for a chipped tooth requires applying composite by hand while sitting in the dental chair. It includes the following steps:

• Select dental composites to replicate varying shades and translucence in your tooth.
• Rough the tooth’s surface.
• Layer, shape, and sculpt the bonding material.
• Cure or harden the dental bonding.
• Polish the bonding and further shape it as needed.

Although you’ve already had two consultations with dentists, schedule two more. This time, select dentists with post-graduate training in aesthetic or cosmetic dentistry. You can compare their recommendations and costs before choosing a provider to restore your chipped tooth with dental bonding.

David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post.