General dentistry is essential for good oral health. Dentists diagnose, treat, and prevent a variety of conditions. Your dentist can repair problems such as cavities, gum disease, and infections. If one or more of your teeth have suffered damage, there are different options the dentist can turn to for help. It is helpful to understand what these are so that you can be prepared when you have the need.
Teeth have an important job and should last a lifetime. Unfortunately, various factors can break, chip, or crack teeth. Poor oral hygiene commonly causes problems. Without brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily, teeth can weaken and become prone to decay and infections. Tooth loss can also occur.
Accidents and other mishaps can also damage a tooth. A fall or suffering a hard blow to the face can hurt a tooth. Biting into an object or hard food can also create cosmetic blemishes. Injuries while playing sports or during a car or bike accident can also damage teeth.
One of the first options a general dentistry office will consider for damaged teeth is a crown. Also known as a cap, this device fits entirely over the affected tooth. It protects it from further issues and strengthens a weak tooth. Most of the time, the crown is made of porcelain or ceramic, so it can be the same color as the surrounding teeth. The dentist can fabricate it to be a normal size and shape as well. Crowns improve the patient’s smile and restore the tooth’s bite force and chewing ability too.
A veneer performs a similar function, though it attaches to the front of a tooth. Made from porcelain, this thin shell is useful when a patient has a chipped or cracked front tooth. Before placing a veneer, the dentist at a general dentistry clinic will remove some of the enamel and etch the tooth to make it rough. This helps the veneer bond well to the tooth. It is durable, but the patient must be cautious about biting into hard foods.
For smaller blemishes, the general dentistry staff may consider using a filling. The dentist can make it tooth-colored, so it will not stand out. If the damage is small enough, numbing the patient may not be necessary. After placing the filling, the dentist will smooth out the tooth and polish it.
These are similar to fillings. However, inlays and onlays are made outside of the tooth in one solid piece rather than in the tooth. Inlays and outlays are durable and blend in well with other teeth. The dentist uses cement to bond it to the tooth and restore its structure and function.
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A broken, chipped, or cracked tooth can be painful. These issues can also be an aesthetic embarrassment and lead to oral health problems. You can take comfort to know that your dentist has a few choices to repair these problems. Make an appointment today to see which treatment is right for you.
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