Chipped tooth......?

Question

well when i was about 7 i chipped my front left tooth. I had a bond put on it. im going to get another one put on because the old one chipped in both of the bottom corners and there is a line where the old tooth and the bond meet. i was just wondering if there is anyway to keep that from happening again.

Answer 1

Two Options:

1) Wear a mouthpiece while playing rigorous sports.

2) Quit playing rigorous sports.  

Answer 2

get a crown.

a crown is a porcelin, gold or silver made tooth to go over the tooth that is causing all your problems, theyre very durable and wont break easily.

Answer 3

The composite bondings do have the tendency to stain where the tooth and the material meet leaving a dark line.  Although they aren't nearly as bad now, as they were twenty years ago.  

You didn't say how old the bonding is or how it was chipped.  When bonding is placed on the incical edge of a tooth, there is always a chance that it will break again.  The bonding just isn't and never will be, as strong as your natural tooth.  I've always told patients that they will need to "baby" their bonded tooth; no nail biting, use caution drinking from bottles and glasses, so as "not to" bump the tooth or bonding and avoid eating hard candy or foods that you have to bite into or tug using the front teeth, or biting into hard chips or really anything that can cause you to "apply stress or torque" to the tooth and bonding.

Bonding is the least expensive way to fix a chipped tooth; there are other methods available when the chip becomes too large to retain a bonding or if you decide you want something more permanent.  You may want to discuss what your options are with your dentist at your next appointment; if using a veneer or a full porcelain crown instead of bonding would be better for your dental problem.  Although most dentist won't suggest a veneer or crown unless you are missing at least a third of the natural tooth structure.  Eventually you will need something more permanent, since everytime the bonding is chipped or broken, the tooth looses some additional tooth structure.  The tooth will need to be re-prepped each time the bonding is broken or replaced; this must be done to retain the bonding to solid tooth structure.

Most of the composites used today, do stain less.  You can also help by avoiding staining foods and drinks and by keeping them clean with brushing and flossing at leas twice a day, and of course, see your dentist for your semi annual cleanings and check ups.   I'm sure your dentist will be happy to go over everything with you so you can make an informed and intelligent decision regarding your dental health.  Hope I've been of some help on this topic and good luck!