Chipped teeth?

[KimKelly]

My son has chipped 2 teeth in the last 3 months.... Unfortunately they are both front and permanent teeth. The dentist said that it's not a big deal, but that he will have to "deal" with it for the rest of his life. For anyone who also has fixed, chipped teeth, have you had much trouble with them? How has it worked over time with color changes? Has the fixed area ever popped off?

The first fix has a bit of a color difference, it wasn't matched perfectly when he fixed it. We'll be talking about that tomorrow when we get the 2nd one fixed.

I just feel so sorry for the little guy.... I hope it's not too difficult to care for in the future...

Kim

[Laura]

My SO, my niece, and my SO's son have all chipped a tooth, and initially, I didn't notice any difference. I have recently noticed a little difference between SO's natural tooth and the bonding only because the bonding does not change color while the tooth does. SO is thinking about having his teeth whitened and that will require him to have the bonding re-done. He had his done probably about 12 years ago though, and has not had any problems. I think it is only his recent addition to coffee that has made the difference. None of them have lost the bonded part of the tooth and SO's son is a college hockey player (he initially lost part of the tooth when he was in 8th grade playing hockey).

[Hammster]

My 2 upper front teeth are badly chipped and I've had them "bonded" about 3 times now. I did it when I was 9. I hit the curb with my bicycle wheel and flipped over the handlebars and hit the curb with my teeth! Anyway, the inner lower corners were broken off of each tooth. My parents were told to wait until I was 18 because my teeth were still growing. So, I had my first bonding done at 18 while in the Navy. The dentist inserted a pin and bonded the material to the pin and my tooth. That bonding lasted probably 20 years if not longer. The second one lasted around 10 years and didn't have a pin in place and was done by an outside dentist since I wasn't in the Navy anymore. I'm now on my 3rd bonding. It's not hard to care for at all. Just like part of my teeth. I brush and floss and get cleanings like normal. No impact at all from that respect.
It is a bit tricky to match the teeth color. One thing that happens is the tooth itself gets slightly dehydrated during dental procedures and so it looks lighter for a while after a bonding or a filling, etc. Give it a few days and when it gets back to normal see how the color matches.
And as Laura mentioned it will discolor at a different rate than the tooth itself. Cleanings and polishings help with the discoloration.

[ErinM]

Almost half of one of my front teeth is fake due to an unfortunate incident, in which I was TOTALLY BLAMELESS, that involved my brother, tickling, and a toy metal gun. I was 10.

I've had it re done three times. The first one lasted almost 15 years and nobody ever noticed a difference in my teeth. The second one last about 5 years...only due to operator error. (Note: if you have false parts on ANY of your biting teeth, that fake cracker toffee is NOT a good idea on your part) I've had my current one since then, and that dentist did a beautiful job...not even I can tell which one it is unless I look very close in the mirror. I also take good care of my teeth, and don't eat/drink a lot of foods/liquids that would cause staining.

[fstrpstr]

My oldest daughter,who is 26 now, chipped her two front teeth when she was five years old. My husband took her to the dentist and had them bonded. She never had any trouble, she even went through braces with no trouble. Her teeth still look beautiful today!

[clairea]

My story is about the same as everyone elses. I chipped my two front bottom teeth, and had them repaired. I have had them redone a couple of times over the years, and I think that is just part of it. I don't think there is anything they can do that is going to have the strength and integrity of your original tooth. The only time one coming off has been a *major* problem is when it happened the day before I was supposed to be in a wedding - fortunately my dentist came through with a temporary fix on the Saturday morning for me!

If they are careful with the color matching up front (and you should be able to see what they are choosing from) it shouldn't be an issue. I have mine done by a cosmetic dentist, and that might be something to consider if you aren't satisfied with the results your regular dentist is giving you. Regular cleanings will help keep everything looking the same. The one thing they told me is that you can't bleach your teeth, because the fake material won't take the bleach and then you will wind up without a match (or you will have to get them redone).

[colleency]

Wow! I guess I'm lucky. I chipped one of my front teeth in a swimming pool accident when I was about 10. My dentist fixed it when I was around 16 or so. I'm 40. I've never had a problem or had to have it replaced. (Knock wood.)

[Beth H]

I chipped my front tooth in third grade falling off a jungle gym (the old metal kind - probably aren't around anymore! :)). I had it repaired with a bond, and I've never had to have it replaced (and I'm in my later 30's now). My dentist mentioned a couple of years ago that I *could* have it replaced as it probably will come loose eventually, but I haven't rushed to pay for expensive cosmetic dentistry. I think if you looked at me really closely, you maybe could tell my one front tooth was slightly different, but it looks fine.

[Hammster]

Mine have never come loose but have just worn down. As they are the inside front edges of my upper front teeth they get used all the time for biting, etc. So they wear down and the gap reappears after several years. My current bonding looks great. Perfect match!