Care for your teeth! Have you ever been frustrated opening a bottle, container, prying open a lid, or ripping open a package with your hands? Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC-TV’s popular “Tonight Show” tried prying open a tube of scar tissue repair gel with disastrous results.
For the 40 year old comedian, what happened next wasn’t funny: when trying to open the gel, Fallon chipped his front tooth, on top of another medical problem, a serious finger injury he suffered a few weeks resulting in trying to open the scar cream. Moral of the Story… Always use the right tool for the job… and your teeth are never the right tool!
Protect Your Teeth
Did you know that according to the American Association of Endodontists, chipped teeth account for the majority of dental injuries? Fortunately, modern dentistry offers a number of great ways to restore damaged teeth and if you are considering orthodontic treatment or currently wearing braces when an accident occurs, orthodontic brackets can be bonded to the different restorative options.
Cosmetic Bonding
If the chip is relatively small, cosmetic bonding is an option. A natural-looking resin is used to replace the lost tooth structure. Built up layer by layer, the composite tooth colored resin is cured with a special light and difficult to see the difference from your natural teeth. The procedure can often be done in one office visit and can last for up to ten years. It’s great for kids who may require more permanent repairs when they are older and all their permanent teeth are in. If your child needs braces or suffers a tooth injury while wearing braces, orthodontic brackets can be attached with a similar resin to the bonding material and the teeth moved, just like undamaged teeth.
Veneers
For larger chips or cracks, veneers are an option. Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain coverings that cover the entire front area of one or more teeth. They are commonly used to repair minor to moderate defects, such as chips, discolorations, or spacing irregularities. They can also give you the “Hollywood white” smile you’ve seen on many celebrities. It is often recommended you wait to place veneers on kids since they are not as strong as your natural teeth, require some restrictions, and more expensive than bonding. If you are thinking about orthodontic treatment with braces, veneers are recommended after work is completed to enhance the cosmetic result. However, orthodontic brackets can be bonded to veneers to move teeth, as well as undergoing Invisalign treatment, the “braceless” alternative to straighten teeth. Veneers are generally custom-made in a lab, and require multiple appointments. They are considered an irreversible dental treatment. Veneers are durable, long-lasting, and the aesthetic restorations of choice for many teens and adults.
Crowns (Caps)
Dental crowns are used when a large portion of tooth structure is missing. Crowns can replace the entire visible part of the tooth, as long as the tooth’s root remains healthy or repaired with a root canal. Crowns, like veneers, are custom-designed to match your teeth in size, shape and color. They are usually made in a dental lab and require multiple office visits. Teeth restored with crowns function well, look natural, and can last for many years. Just like bonding and veneers, orthodontic brackets can be bonded to crowns and Invisalign is an option to move teeth when this option is used.
So what happened to Jimmy Fallon? We don’t know which option he chose but we do know that he was back on TV that night, smiling away thanks to modern dentistry.
If you would like more information about tooth restorations and orthodontic treatment or to schedule a complimentary consultation , please contact Boyd Orthodontics at our Northeast Columbia, Dowtown Columbia or Lexington SC location. We look forward to improving your smile!
