My Child Chipped a Front Tooth. Will It Look Normal Again?
Posted by Annmarie SanSevero
My child fell and chipped one of their permanent front teeth. They aren’t in much pain, but the chip is noticeable, and they’re very self-conscious about it. I’m worried because they’re still growing. Can a dentist repair a chipped front tooth in a child so that it looks natural, or will we need to wait until they’re older?
Casey
Dear Casey,
While your child isn’t experiencing significant pain, a pediatric dentist should examine your child’s permanent tooth anyway. It needs to be checked to make sure that it wasn’t damaged in the accident. Once we know the tooth is healthy—or have addressed any injury—the good news is that we can often restore a child’s smile without waiting until adulthood.
Chipped teeth vary. A very small chip may involve only the outer enamel, but a deeper fracture can extend into the dentin beneath the enamel or even expose the pulp, which contains the tooth’s nerves and blood vessels. Your dentist will examine the tooth and surrounding tissues to determine the extent of the damage. Depending on the injury, they may also need an X-ray to look for damage that isn’t visible from the outside.
Can You Make the Tooth Look Normal Again?
For an uncomplicated chip, composite bonding is an excellent option. Tooth-colored composite material can be shaped directly onto the remaining tooth to replace the missing portion. Be aware that you don’t want to let just any dentist do this.
The challenge isn’t simply filling in the empty space. Front teeth have particular shapes, contours, colors, and degrees of translucency. A restoration that is too opaque, too square, too long, or the wrong shade can stand out—especially when it’s one of the two prominent front teeth.
This is an advanced cosmetic procedure. Plus it has to be done freehand. Because of that, you’ll want an expert cosmetic dentist to do the work. Not many pediatric dentists have that kind of training. I would look for a dentist who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) who also loves treating children. Accreditation requires dentists to demonstrate advanced knowledge and clinical skill in cosmetic dentistry through a rigorous credentialing process. Because of that you can be sure they can give your child a beautiful result.
Contact your dentist if your child develops increasing pain or sensitivity, swelling, a change in the tooth’s color, or other new symptoms. Trauma can sometimes damage the pulp even when the tooth initially seems fine.
When a child damages a permanent front tooth, there are really two concerns: protecting a tooth they need for the rest of their life and restoring a smile they feel comfortable showing right now.
This blog is brought to you by a skilled cosmetic dentist in Franklin, TN Dr. Christopher Weber.
