It's scary just how easy it can be to chip a tooth. It can be done while you are in the act of doing the most routine of things, including eating your favorite snack. A chipped tooth not only leaves your smile looking off, but it can also lead to tooth decay. If the tooth is chipped bad enough, it can even become infected or possibly be lost entirely. Below are some of the ways you can have your chipped tooth repaired.

Repairing small chips

If you were lucky and only managed to chip off a small piece of your tooth, you may be able to have it repaired with a filling. Your dentist can also fill the chip with bonding if the chip is in one of your visible teeth. The bonding can be matched to the color of the tooth, making the repairs unnoticeable.

Repairing large chips

Repairing large chips requires a bit more work and it is also more important. The larger chips will put you at greater risk of decay and infection. There are a few different ways your dentist may decide to repair your tooth.

• Veneer – Another option for repairing a chipped tooth is to use a dental veneer. A veneer is made from porcelain to fit your tooth and match the exact shade and color of your other teeth. It can be made of just porcelain or with porcelain laid over metal. The veneer will be attached to the front of your tooth with dental cement.
• Crown – To repair a large chip, the dentist may opt to put a crown on the tooth. To prepare your tooth for a crown, it will be ground down. An impression of your mouth will be made so a crown can be designed to fit against the surrounding teeth the way your natural tooth did. A porcelain overlay will make the crown look like a real tooth. The dentist will fit the crown over your tooth, using a dental cement to secure it.
• Implant – If the chip is severe, the dentist may determine that it would be best to remove the entire tooth and replace it with a dental implant. An implant is a crown connected to a type of dental pin that gets permanently implanted in your jaw. The crown will be made to match the surrounding teeth, and the fact that it's implanted to your bone gives the replacement tooth the strength of your natural teeth.

The most important thing for you to keep in mind is it is very important for you to make sure you get in to see a dentist like Dentistry For the Entire Family as soon as possible.