Damaged or missing teeth are a problem for several reasons. Teeth that are decayed or damaged can be very uncomfortable, and even painful. If the affected tooth is visible to others, it can also make you feel less confident. Fortunately, there are many different ways to fix damaged teeth.
Restoring Damaged Teeth
When a tooth is damaged due to decay or injury, it must be repaired to prevent further problems. Teeth can be restored in various different ways depending on where the damage occurs.
Fillings are used to repair the interior of a tooth that is affected by decay.
Inlays and onlays are types of fillings that are used to repair teeth that have extensive decay, when a standard filling won’t be sufficient. They typically cover a larger surface area than a filling.
Crowns provide full tooth coverage, a little like a coat that is placed over the whole tooth. When a tooth is very extensively damaged, or when a procedure such as a root canal is performed, a crown is fitted over a tooth to protect the tooth and provide more structural support.
Replacing Missing Teeth
Sometimes, teeth are too badly damaged to be repaired. When this is the case they might be removed altogether, and replaced with a prosthetic such as a bridge or denture.
A bridge replaces a row of one to three missing teeth. The bridge consists of tooth restorations flanked at each end by dental crowns. When the bridge is placed the restorations fit into the gaps left by the missing teeth, and the crowns fit over the teeth adjacent to the gap. The bridge is permanent, fixed into place with dental adhesive.
Dentures can replace as many missing teeth as necessary—from one tooth to a full arch to an entire mouthful. This prosthetic device consists of dental restorations mounted on a metal-and-acrylic base. When the device is worn the base fits over the gums, and is secured in the mouth with a dental adhesive. Dentures are not 100% stable, and they can sometimes slip in the mouth when laughing or coughing.
Finally, there are dental implants, which are the restoration option that most closely mimics the look and function of natural teeth. Dental implants are permanent, and once they’re placed they can’t be removed. This makes them a convenient and practical option, as there is no risk of problems such as slippage, the way there is with dentures. The downside is that dental implants require surgery, as the implant must be surgically placed in the jaw.
Want to Learn More? Contact Your Dentist Today
Damaged and missing teeth are problems that affect your confidence and your oral health. For skilled and compassionate restorative care, contact Dr. Norma Fox today!