Repairing Chipped Teeth in San Diego

We have all done it at one time or another. With that plastic sleeve of crackers that won’t open even as you obey the “Tear Here” imprint. Or with the oh-so-tight shoelace knot that your fingers can’t budge no matter how much you struggle. Yes, we have all resorted to using our teeth to resolve the problem. Most of the time we get away with it. No harm done. However, there is that one fateful occasion when, as soon as it happens, you realize you have just done damage to one or more of your teeth. You are suddenly in pain and you fear looking in the mirror to survey the aftermath. If this happens to you, you need to see someone who is an expert at fixing chipped teeth in San Diego.

At Bernardo Center Dentistry, Dr. Raymond E. Carpenter is a highly regarded prosthodontist, with more than 30 years of experience, who specializes in restorative dental services. He can assess your predicament and recommend the best way to restore your smile.

What can I do to treat my chipped teeth before seeing Dr. Carpenter?

If you are having pain, taking an OTC pain medication such as acetaminophen can help relieve the discomfort of chipped teeth in San Diego. Depending on where your damaged tooth (or teeth) are located, you may need to be careful what you eat. Avoid temperature extremes by staying away from foods that are too hot or too cold. The damaged area of a tooth can cause the nerve to become highly sensitive.

How would Dr. Carpenter fix my chipped teeth?

When you come in for your appointment to see Dr. Carpenter, he will want to know how the damage occurred. Was it from a soccer ball to the face, biting down on extremely hard candy, or misusing your teeth as a pair of pliers? Then, he will examine your chipped tooth or teeth and evaluate the damage. An X-ray may be taken to determine if there is any unseen trauma. Once he evaluates his findings, Dr. Carpenter will recommend the best course of treatment.

For a tiny chip, he will more than likely suggest what is called bonding, where he will lightly roughen up the healthy enamel and apply a composite-type material and shape it so that it becomes a completely restored tooth. This procedure is done especially in cases where you have chipped a front, highly visible tooth.

If your tooth (or teeth) is more severely chipped or broken, and the damage is visible, another option could be veneers. Think of a cover on the front of your tooth, made of porcelain. With his skills as a prosthodontist, Dr. Carpenter will match your other natural teeth and give you back your smile.

To replace a large area of tooth that has broken off, Dr. Carpenter may recommend a crown to cover the damage. In more severe cases, dental implants are a possible option.

If you have suffered a chipped or broken tooth, there is no need to stress about it. Help can be obtained by simply scheduling an appointment with Dr. Richard Carpenter online, or by calling Bernardo Center Dentistry at 858-487-2301.