Problem

Your teeth are chipped or broken

Solution

There are three possible options: Bonding, Porcelain Veneers, Porcelain Crowns

Bonding

Ideal Candidate. The smaller the area chipped or broken the better.  Bonding can only be effectively applied to natural teeth.  A Cosmetic Dentist can bond almost any tooth that has at least 2/3 of a remaining healthy tooth.

Procedure.  Bonding material is bonded to the tooth wherever the tooth is chipped or broken.  The tooth is cleaned and treated with an adhesive to which the Bonding material attaches to the tooth.   The Bonding material replaces the missing part of the tooth and is tooth colored in appearance.

Time Commitment.  1 appointment

Fee. Range from $200 - $700 per tooth

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Before Bonding - Lower Teeth

After Bonding - Lower Teeth

Porcelain Veneers

Ideal Candidate.  When a chip or break is too large and cannot be predictably Bonded then a Veneer is the next choice.  The best candidate has consistent and good color to their natural teeth. If the surrounding teeth are poor in color, then multiple Veneers may be required to get the best cosmetic result.

Procedure. The area where the tooth chipped or broke is smoothed.  The remaining front surface of the tooth is reduced slightly to accommodate the Veneer.  When the Veneer is placed it replaces the missing chipped or broken area of the tooth.  It has the same color and appearance of a natural tooth.

Time Commitment.  2 appointments

Fee. Range from $900 - $1600 per tooth

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Before Veneers - Upper Teeth

After Veneers - Upper Teeth

Porcelain Crowns

Ideal Candidate. When a tooth is chipped or broken and a Veneer is not strong enough, then a crown is needed.  If the tooth that is chipped or broken is an existing crown, then you will need to replace it with a new crown. 

Procedure.  The tooth is reduced in order to accommodate a new crown.  After it is reduced, you will wear a plastic tooth colored provisional crown (aka a "temporary") until your new one is ready. When the final one is ready, it will be tried in to verify the size, shape and shade.  Once it meets standard criteria, it is bonded or cemented.

Time Commitment. 2 appointments

Fee. Range from $ 900 - $1600 per tooth.  Can be higher if it is a single front tooth. 

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Before Crowns

After Crowns