How a Dental Restoration Can Correct Missing Tooth Structure

Having a dental restoration is critical if you have suffered damage to a tooth. This can be embarrassing and affect your smile. Perhaps even more problematic, having missing tooth structure can be painful. It can also lead to serious conditions such as decay and infections. The good news is that your dentist can turn to several different methods to treat this. You can have the smile you want and enjoy good oral health.

Poor oral hygiene can equal structure loss

Seeking a dental restoration can be the result of trauma to a tooth. But often, a person’s inattention to daily habits can be the cause. As soon as a child starts getting teeth, it is important to brush at least twice a day. This should continue throughout life. Daily flossing is also critical. These two activities help to prevent tooth decay and the buildup of plaque and tartar.

Patients can also limit their intake of sugary foods and beverages. Excess sugars can weaken and destroy the enamel layer of a tooth. Regular dental visits should also occur. People of all ages should visit the dentist at least every six months. These visits include an examination and a cleaning.

Fillings

This is perhaps the most common dental restoration method. Fillings work well to repair cavities but can also be useful when the patient has a tooth with a chip or minor fracture. Fillings are made of a tooth-colored plastic resin material. The dentist will place it in or on the tooth to fill in holes or build up the structure. The material will harden quickly and seal the tooth, keeping bacteria from getting in.

Crowns

A dental crown is an effective device to protect a weak tooth and to cover more extensive damage. When a patient’s tooth has broken or cracked, a crown can restore its structure. The crown is natural-looking in color, shape, and size. It also allows the patient to maintain a strong bite force. This can be a good dental restoration to repair the person’s smile and eliminate embarrassing damage.

Veneers

While a crown fits entirely over the tooth, this dental restoration attaches to the front of the affected tooth. It repairs missing structure and can restore the shape and size of a tooth. It is usually made of porcelain, so the dentist can make it the desired color shade. This allows it to blend in with adjacent teeth.

Implants

A dental restoration can also be useful when there is little to no tooth structure left. If the tooth is not salvageable, the dentist can replace it with an implant. This treatment consists of a titanium screw, an abutment, and a crown. The screw acts as the root and embeds deep in the jawbone. The abutment is a connector piece that attaches to the screw and crown. The process can take several months but restores the full function of the mouth.

Your dental restoration awaits

Losing tooth structure is a serious concern. There are cosmetic and health consequences when this happens. But your dentist can offer the right solution. One of these treatments should be what you need to have a healthy, strong tooth again.

Request an appointment here: https://familydentistphoenix.com or call Phoenix Family Dentistry at (602) 547-9007 for an appointment in our Phoenix office.