A chipped tooth can be more than just a minor imperfection—it can affect your confidence and make you hesitate to share your smile. Whether it happened from a sports injury, an accident, or biting down on something hard, the frustration is real. The good news is that you don’t have to live with it. At Chaffin Dental Care, we offer a reliable and beautiful solution: dental veneers.
What Are Dental Veneers and How Do They Work?
Think of a dental veneer as a custom-made, wafer-thin shell of durable porcelain that is bonded to the front surface of your tooth. It’s designed to look just like natural tooth enamel, allowing it to cover imperfections like chips, cracks, or gaps, instantly restoring the tooth’s appearance.
Our process, led by Dr. Chris Chaffin and Dr. Topher Chaffin, is a meticulous and personalized journey to your ideal smile:
- Consultation: We start by discussing your goals and examining your oral health to ensure veneers are the right choice for you.
- Smile Design: We evaluate your tooth’s shape, size, and color. Together, we select the perfect shade of porcelain to create a seamless, natural look.
- Preparation: A very small amount of enamel is gently removed from the tooth’s surface. This is a crucial step that ensures the veneer fits perfectly and doesn’t look bulky.
- Impressions: We take a precise digital scan or impression of your prepared tooth. This becomes the blueprint for our dental lab to craft your custom veneer.
- Bonding: Once your permanent veneer is ready, you’ll return to our office. We’ll check the fit and color before permanently bonding it to your tooth. We then check your bite to ensure everything feels comfortable and functions correctly.
The Benefits of Choosing Veneers for a Chipped Tooth
Veneers are a popular choice for fixing chips for several compelling reasons:
- A Natural Appearance: Porcelain mimics the light-reflecting properties of natural teeth, making your restoration virtually undetectable.
- Durability: Veneers are strong and can last for many years with proper care.
- Stain Resistance: Unlike natural enamel, porcelain is highly resistant to staining from coffee, tea, and wine.
- Minimal Preparation: The procedure conserves more of your natural tooth structure compared to a full crown.
- Instant Symmetry: A veneer can immediately restore a tooth’s shape and size, bringing balance back to your smile.
What to Consider Before Getting Veneers
While veneers are an excellent solution, it’s important to understand a few key considerations:
- Irreversible Process: Because a thin layer of enamel is removed, the process is not reversible.
- Cost: Veneers are a premium cosmetic-restorative treatment. We can discuss costs compared to alternatives like dental bonding.
- Potential for Damage: Just like natural teeth, veneers can be damaged by teeth grinding or trauma. A nightguard may be recommended.
- Candidacy: Your tooth and gums must be healthy. We need to address any decay or gum disease before proceeding with veneers.
Is a Veneer the Right Fix for You?
Veneers are ideal for people with healthy teeth who want to correct cosmetic issues like a moderate chip. If the chip is very small, dental bonding might be a simpler and more affordable alternative. If the tooth has extensive damage or a large filling, a dental crown that covers the entire tooth may be a better option to restore its strength and function.
The best way to know for sure is to have a professional evaluation. Dr. Chris Chaffin and Dr. Topher Chaffin will carefully assess your specific situation and explain all your options.
Let’s Restore Your Smile in Spokane
Don’t let a chipped tooth hold you back any longer. Contact Chaffin Dental Care today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you determine if a dental veneer is the perfect way to bring back your complete, confident smile.
Chaffin Dental Care
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