I swim a lot. We have an indoor pool at home and I jump in every chance I get. Sunday evening, I was swimming pretty aggressively and daydreaming a bit. I had a lot on my mind. I took one stroke too many. I slammed into one of the pool jets and cracked my left front tooth. There is also a quarter inch chip off the inside corner of the tooth. My lip is still a bit swollen, but I am more concerned about my front tooth. The crack in it is a little bigger than a hairline crack. I know I have to get it fixed. Is this something my family dentist can do? I don’t want to ask him because I am sure he will say he can correct it. My wife thinks I should see a cosmetic dentist instead. Does it matter? – Kyle
Kyle – Whether or not your family dentist can restore the tooth depends on his skill in cosmetic dentistry. If your tooth can be repaired with dental bonding, the dentist you choose needs to have a variety of composite available to match the color and translucency of your tooth.
You can schedule an appointment with your dentist for an examination. During your appointment, keep the following tips in mind.
- Discreetly ask him what he does to correct chipped and cracked teeth.
- You can also ask questions about the process and the results you can expect. A simple questions like, “Do you have any patient photos of cases like mine?” and “How well will the bonding match my tooth?” to determine if your dentist has the skill, tools, and materials needed to make a seamless repair.
- Unless there is significant external and internal damage to your tooth, your dentist should not recommend a dental crown.
What Can You Expect from a Cosmetic Dentist?
A skilled cosmetic dentist will be able to match your tooth so well that the bonding on the crack and chip will seamlessly blend with your natural tooth. People won’t be able to tell your tooth was ever damaged. So, we suggest that you schedule a consultation with an experienced cosmetic dentist.
Ask the same questions that you asked your family dentist. Your experiences with both dentists will help you decide which provider you prefer to restore your tooth.
This post is sponsored Portage, MI female cosmetic dentist Susan Dennis, DDS.