Should dental bonding work for my chipped lower incisor, or will I need a porcelain veneer? A piece of my lower left front tooth broke last August, and the jagged edge irritates my lip. My dentist put bonding on the tooth twice, but the bonding fell off within a month each time. I haven’t returned to the dentist to redo the bonding because I’m concerned it won’t last. Maybe it’s not the right solution, and I don’t want to waste my time or any more money on sedation since I am so nervous at the dentist. I am self-conscious about the tooth, although the chip isn’t large. Could I get a veneer for this tooth since the bonding won’t work? Thanks. Konnor from TN
Konnor,
If you have a normal bite, your upper and lower incisor teeth meet when you close your mouth. The impact of the teeth can make it challenging for bonding to stay in place. A dentist must understand occlusion to protect the bonding from stress.
The photos below are of chipped lower central incisors that were initially repaired with composite. The bonding on the tooth to your right (#24) stayed in place but came off the tooth to your left (#25). You can see the composite on the edge of the right-hand tooth if you look closely.
Tooth #25 projects forward more than #24. If it were the same length as the other incisors, it would hit the upper incisors before all other teeth when the patient closes his mouth. Dr. Bell restored the teeth with porcelain. He shaved tooth #25 to be even with #24. The lower and upper incisors meet simultaneously, reducing stress on teeth and preventing dental work from loosening or breaking.
Repair a Chipped Incisor with Dental Bonding or Porcelain Veneers?
A skilled cosmetic dentist can repair a chipped incisor with dental bonding or a porcelain veneer depending on the tooth’s condition and location. Schedule a consultation with one or two advanced cosmetic dentists to discuss your options for restoring your chipped tooth with dental bonding or porcelain veneers. A cosmetic dentist will explain the results you can expect for appearance and longevity with either option. Remember to explain your anxiety and sedation needs before scheduling treatment.
David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read about what Dr. Finley, Dr. Henderson, and Dr. Coughran do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.