Restorative Dentistry
A person's smile can be their best feature. But chipped, stained, misshapen, or missing teeth can mar that smile, and cause a person to feel self-conscious. Fortunately today's dentistry offers patients a wide range of choices to correct these problems and help restore confidence to their smiles.
Replacing Teeth
When you are missing a tooth or teeth, your bite may become destabilized, and cause difficulties or pain when chewing or speaking. Two of the most common options for replacing missing teeth are fixed bridges and implants, also known as indirect restorations.
Bridge
A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth with artificial teeth, literally "bridging" the gap between the teeth you still have and the missing teeth. A fixed bridge is made up of an artificial tooth, or teeth, fused between two crowns. The crowns are bonded to the teeth on each side of the missing tooth area for support. Materials used to create fixed bridges include gold, alloys, and porcelain. Fixed bridges are not removable, and blend seamlessly in with the rest of the teeth.
Implant
As the name implies, an implant is a dental restoration that is inserted directly into the jaw. Dental implants are made up of two components: a titanium screw surgically screwed into the jaw to mimic the tooth's root; and a crown, made of steel or porcelain, attached to the screw to replace the missing tooth above the surface of the gum. In order for an implant to be possible, there must be sufficient bone in the area of the missing teeth where the implant is to be attached.
Of course, the success of any bridge or implant depends on the health of the teeth, gums, or bone to which it is attached. So after any tooth replacement procedure it is vital that you be vigilant about maintaining the health of your mouth.
Repairing Teeth
Even without missing teeth there are a host of problems that you can encounter that can make you less than confident about your smile. Common restorations used by dentist to repair damaged teeth include crowns, extractions, fillings, and root canals
Crowns
Crowns, which resemble a thimble, are custom made from gold or porcelain to fit your tooth. A crown will cover the entire visible surface of your tooth, restoring that tooth to a more normal shape and size. Crowns are frequently used to make your tooth stronger, improve a tooth's appearance, support a tooth that has a large filling, restore a broken tooth, and to support fixed bridges.
Extractions
Sometimes the only way to deal with a damaged or misshapen tooth is to remove it. An extraction may be necessary for a number of reasons, ranging from a tooth that is simply too decayed to be saved, to a baby tooth reluctant to fall out naturally, or a wisdom tooth that has become impacted. When the dentist determines that a tooth needs to be removed, the extraction may take place during that visit, or you may be required to schedule a separate appointment for the procedure. Tooth extraction does not take much time, but if you have concerns or wish to be sedated for the procedure, it is crucial that you share that information with the dentist.
Fillings
Damage to teeth caused by cavities is frequently addressed with fillings, also known as direct restorations. Traditional filling materials include amalgam fillings (silver) or gold filling restorations. Some older amalgam fillings contained mercury. While the strength and durability of these materials still make them useful for situations where restored teeth must withstand extreme forces that result from chewing, such as in the back of the mouth, they are conspicuous and tend to blacken in color over time. Newer dental filling materials include ceramic and plastic compounds that more closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth. These compounds, often called composite resins, are used most frequently in front teeth where a natural appearance is important, although they can be used on the back teeth in some circumstances. Composite resins tend to cost more than fillings made from the older materials.
Root Canal (Endodontic) Treatment
Root canal procedures are used to help save a diseased tooth. There are tiny canals within your tooth that may become infected, particularly if your tooth has a deep crack or cavity. This infection causes the pulp inside your tooth to become diseased. Left without treatment an abscess can form in the pulp tissue, causing the tissue to die and threatening your tooth, as well as the surrounding teeth and jaw. During a root canal procedure the dentist or endodontist specialist will drill into the tooth, remove all the diseased pulp and clean out all the tooth's canals. Then the cleaned out areas are sealed and a temporary filling will be placed on the tooth. A crown or permanent filling will be used after it's been determined that the infection is truly gone. Treatment often involves one to three visits, and contrary to popular belief is relatively simple and inflicts relatively minimal pain. A tooth that has been restored with a root canal can last a lifetime, provided you are diligent with your oral hygiene.
Which Option is Right for You?
There are a number of factors that help determine which procedure and material is best for you, and how much you can expect to spend for that procedure. These factors include: the components used, the amount of tooth structure remaining, the chewing load that the tooth will have to bear, and the length and number of visits needed to prepare and adjust the restored or replaced tooth.
The ultimate decision is best determined by the patient in consultation with the dentist. Before your treatment begins, discuss the options with the dentist. So talk to the dentist about the options most suitable for you.
