Chipped tooth!

[Wallflower]

Hello,

I have ceramics on my bottom teeth and I've noticed that one of my front teeth is now chipped from a ceramic on the lower tooth!

It's right at the front and it's really noticeable to me. I'm really concerned about the chip. I called my ortho as soon as I noticed today (have had braces for 3 weeks now), and he said something about putting something over the tooth.

Can anyone give me any more info on this? What do they put on? Shouldn't he take the ceramic off and put it slightly lower so that it doesn't hit my top tooth?

Also, what can I do about the damage already done?

[Sunny]

That's a real shame Wallflower and unfortunately a problem that can happen when ceramics are put on an arch where the teeth will knock. The ceramic brackets are so hard, that they can chip teeth, which sounds like what has happened to you.

The tooth with the chip, can have bonding put in it to match the tooth, so that the chip cannot be seen. If the chip is very small, the area can be smoothed so that the chip is removed. Plus there are other things that can be done. Talk to your ortho about what can be done to your existing tooth, and whether you'd be better to have metal brackets on any lower teeth that the top teeth will come into contact with.

Good luck!

[Denise]

I have ceramics on my front teeth and my ortho put what he calls a "speed bump" on the back of one of my front upper teeth. This prevents my top teeth from hitting the lower ceramic brackets. It feels exactly like a popcorn kernel glued to the back of my tooth. It's super annoying, but my teeth don't hit and therefore don't chip. You may want to ask what preventative measures they offer as well.

[Wallflower]

Thanks Sunny and Denise. My ortho said he would put something on my tooth but it's hitting the bottom of my top tooth and now there's a visible dent, I'm not sure if a speed bump would work.

I hope that any bonding won't cost me extra! What does bonding consist of? Will it discolour eventually?
I see him on Weds so hopefully it won't get any worse.

[Sunny]

Wallflower I recommend you do your best not too worry ... I'm guessing this won't be that easy, until you see your ortho on Wednesday. That's the person who can give you professional advice about what's happened.

Good luck!

[newsboysgrl777]

Just to put my "tooth sense" in (LOL...2 cents..couldn't resist...sorry) I've had bonding before and although it's a little easier to chip off again, I've never experienced it discoloring and when you've got it on, it is EXACTLY like your real teeth, so you can't tell there was ever a chip or anything. Hopefully this is what'll happen for you and you'll be able to feel good about your front tooth again.

Also, if your ortho doesn't put 'bite turbos' (aka speed bumps) behind your front teeth, he might put glue on your back molars which will make it so that you can only bite down where the glue is, thus giving you an 'open bite' so that you can't bite on the brackets. This is what my ortho did when I don't think there was a chance of me biting on the lower brackets (which are metal, not ceramic), but she wanted to be extra cautious.

So sorry that this happened. And, like Sunny said, please try not to worry because this can be taken care of completely.

[Wallflower]

Thanks for the info Newsboysgrl That puts my mind at ease.

[Cheers]

I am really sorry to hear about your tooth Wall Flower.

Most Orthodontists will only put ceramics on the top of the teeth and metal on the bottom. The reason why I read is that ceramics on the bottom are tougher and can do more damage.

The California Association of Orthodontists have an educational booklet.
Under the topic ceramic braces it says, "Ceramic braces on the lower teeth may cause wear on the opposing upper teeth if in contact."

I have ceramic on top and metal on the bottom. The tops are contacting two brackets so I have to call my ortho ASAP. Thank you newsboysgrl777 for mentioning that 'bite turbos' (speed bumps) or glue on your back molars can help the situation. I am hoping for a solution too.

Best wishes to Wall Flower. I also encourage you not to worry.

[annabella]

Wallflower
so sorry to hear that happened. I agree with the folks here. Your ortho will most likely put bite turbos to prevent this from happening again. My daughter got them too and it takes a bit getting use to but no problem now. And yeah once they bond the tooth it generally isn't noticed and colour is matched to tooth
good luck

[lauralea]

I also seem to have this problem, however I do have metal on bottom. When they put the braces on they put these brace pads on the bottom. They were like lit elastics however they have a thick padding so when you bite down the front teeth rest on the pad rather than hitting against the bracket. After 3 weeks of not being able to properly close my teeth together and my molars weren't even touching, i took them off. Honestly I think I would precut the molar buildup , but I don't know if my ortho does this.

[Cheers]

Just clarifying about the chipping and ceramic comment I posted above. The use of ceramics does depend on the bite situation. One can have upper and lower ceramic brackets if there is no teeth contact with brackets.

[Denise]

I have upper and lower ceramic brackets. See pics in my blog