
Some people are lucky — they never seem to have a mishap, dental or otherwise. But for the rest of us, accidents just happen sometimes. Take actor Jamie Foxx, for example. A few years ago, he actually had a dentist intentionally chip one of his teeth so he could portray a homeless man more realistically. But recently, he got a chipped tooth in the more conventional way… well, conventional in Hollywood, anyway. It happened while he was shooting the movie Sleepless with co-star Michelle Monaghan.
“Yeah, we were doing a scene and somehow the action cue got thrown off or I wasn't looking,” he told an interviewer. “But boom! She comes down the pike. And I could tell because all this right here [my teeth] are fake. So as soon as that hit, I could taste the little chalkiness, but we kept rolling.” Ouch! So what's the best way to repair a chipped tooth? The answer it: it all depends…
For natural teeth that have only a small chip or minor crack, cosmetic bonding is a quick and relatively easy solution. In this procedure, a tooth-colored composite resin, made of a plastic matrix with inorganic glass fillers, is applied directly to the tooth's surface and then hardened or “cured” by a special light. Bonding offers a good color match, but isn't recommended if a large portion of the tooth structure is missing. It's also less permanent than other types of restoration, but may last up to 10 years.
When more of the tooth is missing, a crown or dental veneer may be a better answer. Veneers are super strong, wafer-thin coverings that are placed over the entire front surface of the tooth. They are made in a lab from a model of your teeth, and applied in a separate procedure that may involve removal of some natural tooth material. They can cover moderate chips or cracks, and even correct problems with tooth color or spacing.
A crown is the next step up: It's a replacement for the entire visible portion of the tooth, and may be needed when there's extensive damage. Like veneers, crowns (or caps) are made from models of your bite, and require more than one office visit to place; sometimes a root canal may also be needed to save the natural tooth. However, crowns are strong, natural looking, and can last many years.
But what about teeth like Jamie's, which have already been restored? That's a little more complicated than repairing a natural tooth. If the chip is small, it may be possible to smooth it off with standard dental tools. Sometimes, bonding material can be applied, but it may not bond as well with a restoration as it will with a natural tooth; plus, the repaired restoration may not last as long as it should. That's why, in many cases, we will advise that the entire restoration be replaced — it's often the most predictable and long-lasting solution.
Oh, and one more piece of advice: Get a custom-made mouthguard — and use it! This relatively inexpensive device, made in our office from a model of your own teeth, can save you from a serious mishap… whether you're doing Hollywood action scenes, playing sports or just riding a bike. It's the best way to protect your smile from whatever's coming at it!
If you have questions about repairing chipped teeth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Artistic Repair of Chipped Teeth With Composite Resin” and “Porcelain Veneers.”
Comments:
Advance Family Dental Care
Naperville, IL 60563

Patient Education
Archive:
- 2019
- January (7)
- 3 Reasons Why Your New Dentist Needs Your Treatment Records
- Improve Your Smile With Veneers
- 4 Ways to Check on Your Brushing and Flossing Effectiveness
- Singer Dua Lipa Sees the Wisdom in Postponing Tour Dates
- If You've had Joint Replacement, you may Need Antibiotics Before Dental Work
- Regenerating Lost Bone Can Make Dental Implants a Reality
- How we Treat your Jaw Pain Depends on the Cause
- 2018
- December (7)
- Bobby Bones Dances His Way to Dental Damage
- Manage Your Osteoporosis Medication to Avoid Jawbone Problems
- What Cosmetic Dentistry Can Do for You
- Stop Smoking to Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease
- Keep Your Saliva Flowing - Your Oral Health Depends on it
- J-Lo's Unlucky Break: Chipping a Tooth on Stage
- Treatment Options to Keep Stress From Causing Dental Problems
- November (6)
- Avoid Implant Failure by Watching Out for These Mouth Problems
- Cracked Mouth Corners can be Irritating - Here's How to Treat Them
- Expert Advice: Vivica A. Fox on Kissing and Oral health
- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- Diabetes and Oral Health: True or False?
- Don't Let GERD Ruin Your Teeth's Health
- October (8)
- What is Teeth Whitening?
- NBC Star Delivers a Message about the "Perfect" Smile
- Baseball Fan Catches Her Own Knocked-Out Tooth
- 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
- Not Crazy about Flossing? Try a Water Flosser
- A Different Kind of "Chip Shot" for Pro Golfer Danielle Kang
- Effective Dental Care Depends First on Getting the Big Picture
- The Versatility of Veneers
- September (6)
- Avoid These 4 Health Problems with One Simple Denture Practice
- We can Build up Lost Bone Before Your Implant
- Charlize Theron Back in Action After Dental Surgery
- Are You in the Know About Dental Crowns? Take our True or False Quiz
- Treating Teeth Grinding Now Could Help Prevent Excessive Tooth Wear Later
- Keep Up Good Dental Habits in College to Protect Your Teeth and Gums
- August (7)
- Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
- Dental Bonding And Cosmetic Contouring Can Fix Minor Imperfections
- Three Things You May Not Know About Root Canal Treatments
- 5 Causes of Bad Breath and What You Can Do About It!
- Clear Aligners Provide a Less Embarrassing Orthodontic Choice for Teens
- Kathy Bates Plays It Smart With Professional Teeth Whitening
- 10 Tips to Tame Bad Breath
- July (9)
- Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
- Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
- 2.6 Million Fans 'Like' Justin Bieber's Chipped Tooth
- How Often Should I Visit My Dentist?
- Look at the Long-Term Costs When Considering Dental Implants
- Teenagers with Missing Teeth Usually Need a Temporary Restoration
- Signs You May Need a Root Canal
- Bonding with Composite Resins Ideal for Restoring Chipped Teeth
- Master Illusionist Benefits from the Magic of Orthodontics
- June (6)
- The Secret to Preventing Gum Disease - Control Bacterial Plaque
- Can an App Help You Brush Your Teeth?
- Why You Shouldn't Worry About the Mercury in Your Silver Fillings
- Dental Injury Is Just a Temporary Setback for Basketball Star Kevin Love
- June Is Men's Health Month
- Getting the Full Picture of Your Decay Risk Leads to Better Prevention Strategies
- May (7)
- Cosmetic Dentistry Remakes Your Smile
- What's Causing Your Throbbing Toothache?
- Are You Keeping Good Oral Hygiene Habits?
- Margot Robbie Knows: A Great Smile Is Worth Protecting
- Tooth Loss: A Health Risk for Older Adults
- Not a Fan of Using CPAP for Your Sleep Apnea? Consider an Oral Appliance
- Show Off Your Best Possible Smile
- March (6)
- Enhance Your Smile with Dental Veneers
- 3 Tips for Helping Your Kids Develop Great Tooth-Friendly Habits
- RPDs Offer Another Tooth Replacement Option for those on a Tight Budget
- A 4-Step Process for Achieving Your Highest Oral Health Possible
- Kris Dunn Is the Latest NBA Player to Injure His Teeth on the Court
- The Type of Tooth Pain You Have Could be Telling You What's Wrong
- 2017
- September (6)
- Porcelain Veneers: A Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- Know Your Toothpaste: How to Simplify Your Purchasing Decision
- Need a Root Canal?
- Baseball's Francisco Lindor Shines as "Mr. Smile"
- Your Next Dental Visit Might Save Your Life - Here's How
- Take Proactive Steps to Protect Your Oral Health During Cancer Treatment
- July (5)
- Include Limitations on Sugar in Your Tooth Decay Prevention Strategy
- Jamie Foxx Chips a Tooth - This Time by Accident!
- You'll Experience Little to No Discomfort During and After Implant Surgery
- Types of Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
- Even with Mercury, Dental Amalgam is a Safe Choice for Tooth Filling
- May (6)
- 4 Reasons why Quitting Chewing Tobacco is Good for Your Oral Health
- Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
- Stains from Within a Tooth Require Professional Whitening
- Straighten Your Smile Discreetly
- Dental Offices Uphold the Highest Standards for Infection Control
- We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
- April (6)
- Actress Emma Stone Reveals How Thumb Sucking Affected Her Teeth
- Tips on Encouraging Healthy Snacking While Your Child's at School
- Advancing Gum Disease Requires Thorough Treatment to Control it
- All Gum Disease Treatments Have the Same Goal - Removing Bacterial Plaque
- What Is Root Canal Therapy?
- Nancy O'Dell on Making Oral Hygiene Fun for Kids
- February (6)
- What are the Benefits of Dental Veneers?
- Fifth Harmony's Camila Cabello Chips a Tooth, but Concert Still "Worth It"
- Reduce Sugar Consumption - for a Healthier Mouth and Body
- Immediate Dentures Provide You With Teeth While Your Gums Heal
- You Should Brush and Floss Around Your Implant to Ensure its Longevity
- Dr. Travis Stork: If Only I'd Worn A Mouthguard!
- 2016
- November (6)
- Reduce Your Oral Cancer Risk with Better Diet and Lifestyle Choices
- Bitewing X-rays: Your Questions Answered
- What Dental Implants Could Do for You
- Even Though not in the "Smile Zone" You Should Replace that Back Tooth
- Any Time, Any Place: Cam Newton's Guide to Flossing
- Cleaning Your Oral Appliance Extends its Life and Ensures Good Health
- September (6)
- What You Need To Know About Root Canals
- A "Silent" Disease Gets Recognition
- Bitewing X-Rays Provide Early Detection of Tooth Decay in Back Teeth
- Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
- Artificial Sweeteners can Boost your Dental Health
- Patchy Discolorations on the Tongue Aren't a Cause for Worry
- August (5)
- Minimally Invasive Dentistry: A New Approach to Preventing and Treating Decay
- Jimmy Fallon Can’t Catch a Break - Except in His Tooth
- What Your Toothache Could Be Telling You About Your Smile
- Local Anesthesia Eliminates Pain Completely During Dental Work
- Diet and Lifestyle Choices Key to Dental Health During College Years
- July (7)
- Clear Aligners Reduce Risk for Developing Gum Disease Better than Braces
- Straighten Your Teeth Without Hiding Your Smile
- Even Celebrities Like Jennifer Lawrence Aren't Immune From Bad Breath!
- Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
- The Time Interval to Replant a Knocked Out Tooth Can Affect its Longevity
- Why You Should Consider Cosmetic Dentistry
- That Small Mouth Sore is Likely Nothing - but Still Have it Checked
- June (6)
- Do Your Dentures and Mouth a Favor: Take Them Out at Night
- Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures To Improve Your Smile
- Johnny's Teeth Aren't Rotten Any More
- Monitoring Blood Pressure is Also Important During Dental Care
- Treating a "Gummy" Smile Starts with Finding out the Cause
- Oral Irrigation can be an Effective Alternative to Traditional Flossing
- May (6)
- Neil Patrick Harris: What the Oscars Host Treasures Most
- Your Teenager may need to Wait on an Implant for a Missing Tooth
- A Straighter Smile Doesn't Mean A Mouth Full Of Metal
- Prudent Use of X-Rays in Children Provides the most Benefit at the Lowest Risk
- Find Out Why You or Your Partner Snores - it may be Sleep Apnea
- Jason Derulo's Ideal Match
- March (6)
- Eden Sher and the Lost Retainer
- Regular Screenings Could Help With Early Oral Cancer Detection
- Address Your Teeth Grinding Habit Early to Avoid Potential Tooth Loss
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- FAQs About Teeth Whitening
- Game, Set, Match: Milos Raonic Says A Mouthguard Helps Him Win
- January (6)
- Dental Implants and Diabetes
- Gaining a New Attractive Smile is More than Achievable
- Know the Risks and Benefits for Same-Day Tooth Replacement
- How Bonding Can Help Fix Minor Imperfections in Your Smile
- Why Ignoring a Missing Tooth Could Be Bad News For Your Jaw
- Tom Hanks' Abscessed Tooth Gets Cast Away
- 2015
- December (6)
- Put an End to Bad Oral Habits to Slow the Rate of Tooth Wear
- More Than a new Smile - Dental Implants Help Stop Bone Loss as Well
- Things you Should Know about Oral Cancer
- The Different Parts of a Dental Implant
- Ariana Grande Breaks Free - of Her Wisdom Teeth
- Treating Dry Mouth is Important for Maintaining Good Oral Health
- July (7)
- Limiting Refined Sugar in Your Diet can Reduce Risk of Tooth Decay
- Lamar Odom Rebounds From Dental Anxiety
- There are Various Ways to Treat Sensitivity - Depending on its Cause
- Keep an Eye on your Gums to Catch Disease Early
- How Scaling and Root Planing Saves Teeth?
- Veneers Whiten Teeth in a Snap
- Extracting Wisdom Teeth Now May Prevent Dental Problems Later
- April (7)
- Take a Lesson From Hockey Player Mike Bossy
- How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Change Your Smile For the Better
- Bad Breath — Discovering The Causes & Treatments
- Diagnodent Laser Diagnostic Scanning
- Taking the Right Steps to Prevent Early Tooth Decay in Children
- Your Guide to Whiter Teeth
- Are mouthguards important? Just ask Fitness Expert Jillian Michaels
- 2014
- December (6)
- Sugar Substitutes: Sweeter for Tooth Health
- Understanding the Benefits - and Limitations - of Dental Insurance
- Anchorage Devices can add Stability During Orthodontic Treatment
- Cosmetic Dentistry and the Urban Legend
- Your Smile Should Be Your Number One Priority
- Ultrasonic Scalers can Effectively Clean Most Patients' Gum Tissues
- September (7)
- Tooth-Colored Fillings: True or False
- Removing Bacterial Plaque is Critical to Halting Advancing Gum Disease
- All-On-4®: The Perfect Solution for Missing Teeth
- Encountering Positive Experiences the Key to Overcoming Dental Anxiety
- Kristi Yamaguchi's Braces Helped Give Her a Winning Smile
- What Cosmetic Option Would Best Improve Your Smile?
- Bone Grafting can put Implants Back on Your Options List
- 2013
- December (6)
- The Top 5 Things to Know About Orthodontic Retainers
- Cancer Treatment and Oral Health: What You Should Know
- Quitting the Smoking Habit Could Vastly Improve Your Dental Health
- Top Three Reasons Invisalign is the Clear Choice in Naperville
- Giuliana Rancic Prepares for Her Son's First Dental Visit
- Assessing and Treating your Risk for Tooth Decay can Prevent Future Occurrences
- October (5)
- Tooth Pain During Pressure Changes Could Be Warning of a Bigger Problem
- New Cone Beam Scanning Surpasses Standard X-Rays for Accuracy and Detail
- How The Biggest Loser Star Jillian Michaels Keeps Her Winning Smile
- Giving a Knocked Out Tooth a Second Chance
- Oral Piercing Can Lead to Problems With Your Teeth and Gums
- 2012
- November (5)
- End Your Fears and Relax with Oral Sedation Dentistry
- 7 FAQs About Impacted Wisdom Teeth
- Stabilizing Your New Smile: Answering Your Questions about Orthodontic Retainers
- TV Designer Nate Berkus Is Thankful for Childhood Preventive Dental Treatments
- Not Just Filling in the Gaps: Lost Teeth Have Unexpected Consequences
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