Depending on the degree of damage to the tooth, several options of repair are available this includes resin filling, veneers or the use of a crown. To choose which method is most suitable will come down to how severely the tooth is damaged.  

If you accidently fall and chip your tooth and search online for answers you will find many online answers which suggest you get a resin filling or a crown. Are you  unsure which method is the safest and best for you? Let’s take a look and introduce the options available.  

Chipped Tooth Repair Options

If you have chipped or broken your tooth it is advised that you make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible to check that no damage has been done to the tooth root or nerve and whether it has impacted aesthetics. If the chip is very small with no ragged edges and the damage is only to the enamel and does not look unattractive, you can choose not to repair the tooth. However, you must remember to maintain good oral hygiene.

If it’s only the tooth’s enamel and dentin which is damaged then choosing dental fillings using composite resin is simple and not as expensive. There are disadvantages of using composite resin fillings such as lack of durability and composite fillings takes longer to put into the teeth. Therefore, this is usually considered as a temporary solution.      

 In comparison to directly repairing the tooth with a filling using a crown will last longer. When considering aesthetics choosing a all ceramic crown will be more expensive. The disadvantages to consider when choosing a crown will mean the damaged tooth will have to be filed down to create room for the crown. This can cause further damage to the tooth and in the long term can affect the health of the tooth.  

When fillings or crowns are not an option?

Apart from fillings and crowns there is another option which is using dental veneers. This is the best option for those when fillings are not ideal and crowns are considered too invasive. Although dental veneers do require the tooth to be filed it is just the enamel which will be removed from its surface. The veneer will be directly applied to the surface of the tooth which means in terms of appearance minor cosmetic issues can be fixed.