Blog

When Jamie Foxx was filming his new movie “The Greatest Showman” last year, he accidentally chipped one of his front teeth while getting into a fight scene. In an interview with the American Dental Association’s publication Dental Health, the actor explained what had happened and how he got through it.

He said it happened on the fourth day of filming, and he thought it was just a tooth that had fallen out. He also didn’t know which tooth it was until he got home and took a closer look in the mirror. The actor said he asked his wife about what to do for the tooth, and she suggested he just leave it alone, but he could try bonding on it or something when he got home.

Unfortunately, when he tried to put the chipped tooth back in the next day, it fell out again. Foxx went to a Los Angeles dentist the next morning to have it put back in. The dentist bonded the tooth into place, but he said it likely wouldn’t last very long because he grinds his teeth, which causes the cement to fall out.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry explains that some temporary fixes for a broken or chipped tooth include veneers, crowns, and bonding. There are different treatments available depending on the severity of the chip. For instance, a minor nick in the teeth may be fixed with dental bonding. However, if the damage is more severe, then porcelain restorations such as veneers and dental crowns may be recommended. 

Dentists Evaluate the Situation and Decide On a Treatment

After examining the tooth, the dentist decided that the tooth might be saved and that a root canal was a possible solution. The dentist recommended an onlay to cover the crack and a dental crown to protect the entire tooth. An onlay is a custom-fitted restoration that covers the top surface and sides of a tooth. While onlays are more durable than fillings, they are weaker than crowns. In this case, the onlay would be a better option because the crack was not very deep. However, if the crack had been larger and more extensive, a dental crown would have been a better solution.

A dental crown completely covers the outside of a tooth and is stronger and more protective than a filling or onlay. To place the crown, the dentist would first need to remove the damaged part of the tooth and then take an impression of the tooth. The impression will be sent to a lab where the permanent crown will be fabricated. The patient would return about two weeks later to have the new crown permanently placed. 

Please reach out to our dental practice in Mission Viejo, CA, to have a consultation with our dentist, Dr. Lee, or call us at (949) 380-0315.