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People crack and break their teeth all the time. And the worst thing about it that it usually happens to our front teeth, which prevents us from smiling and lowers our self esteem. The good news is that dentistry today has come a long way and offers many different solutions to repair your teeth and restore your smile. The type of damage on your teeth will determine the treatment method. Here are five procedures which can work in repairing your smile.
One great way to repair cracked, chipped, discolored, decayed, misshapen, and gapped teeth is through composite bonding. The great thing about this treatment is that it lasts up to 10 years and doesn’t require the use of anesthesia unless it’s used for cavities.
A dentist will first roughen your tooth and apply a conditioning liquid. Then putty will be put on, molded and smoothed. Afterwards, an ultraviolet light is used to harden the putty. After drying, the dentist will shape and polish it to match the rest of the tooth.
Dental veneers are onlays that cover the tooth. It can either cover a single tooth or a few. First, your dentist will prepare your tooth by removing some of the enamel from it. That’s done so the onlay won’t look bulky and will look natural. The next step is for the dentist to take impressions of your tooth. During this time, you can design the final look of the veneer by deciding its shape, size and color. The veneer will be produced in a lab and bonded to your tooth at a later appointment.
If you feel pain when drinking or chewing or if your tooth is badly chipped, you might need a crown. A dental crown is a cap which covers the tooth. It protects a badly damaged tooth and allows it to withstand the pressure of chewing in it’s damaged state.
The dentist will first prepare the tooth by removing some parts to make room for the crown. Then impression will be made and sent to the lab for the production of the permanent crown. In the meantime, a temporary one will be provided. Once the permanent one is complete, the dentist will cement it on the remaining tooth structure.
Root canal is a procedure that cleans out the decayed tooth matter and removes the nerve. Root canals are needed for tooth cracks that extend into the pulp. After a root canal is done, a crown will be placed to prevent the crack from spreading further.
First, an x-ray will be done to see if your tooth is infected. Then you will be given an anesthetic to minimize pain. After that, the dentist will drill into the tooth to remove the tooth’s nerve and pulp. The tooth is then sealed to avoid further infection. If needed, a crown will be placed on the tooth.
Certain types of tooth damage cannot be repaired, in which case an extraction will be needed. In these situations, dental implants are the only option in maintaining a beautiful smile. A dental implant replaces your natural tooth, acting as a new tooth and rooth. The tooth implant process will require several visits to the dentist's office.
After the initial extraction, a titanium screw is placed into the jawbone to act as the new root for your tooth. It will take some time for the bone to fuse to the titanium screw, ensuring a lasting foundation. Then an impression of your teeth will be made to design the abutment and crown which will be attached to the implant screw. The final step is the attachment of the abutment and crown.
