Popular General Dentistry Tooth Repair Procedures

General dentistry services offer a wide range of care for patients. Your dentist will focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing different conditions. Some of these include tooth decay, gum disease, and damaged teeth. You may need tooth repair to address issues such as chips, fractures, and cracks. If the dentist determines that your teeth are salvageable, there are different options to restore them. Your dentist will discuss these with you so that you can decide which makes the most sense.

Preventing tooth damage

The enamel layer of teeth is the strongest substance in the body. Teeth can withstand a lot of force, but they are still breakable and prone to damage under certain conditions. Being cautious about biting into hard foods will reduce the risk of breaking or chipping a tooth. Good oral hygiene will also help keep teeth healthy and strong. While playing sports, it is wise to wear protective equipment, such as a mouthguard.

Crowns

Dental crowns are useful for restoring smiles. These caps go entirely over the affected tooth and are natural-looking. Dentists at general dentistry offices choose crowns to protect teeth from suffering additional damage and to strengthen weak ones. Well-placed crowns can help the person have a normal bite once again. Crowns are usually made of ceramic or porcelain and can last up to 10 years.

Veneers

Unlike crowns, veneers attach to the front of a damaged tooth. A veneer is a thin shell made of porcelain. The dentist can make it to be the same color as the surrounding teeth. Veneers can repair misshapen or badly chipped teeth. Dentists at a general dentistry office often choose this option for front teeth.

Before placing a veneer, the dentist will remove some enamel and etch the tooth to make it rough. This helps with the bonding process. Patients with veneers should be cautious when biting into apples or hard foods. Continual oral hygiene habits are essential.

Fillings

General dentistry treatments for damaged teeth can also include fillings. Dentists use these to repair cavities, but a filling can also be a good solution for small chips. The filling can restore the shape of the tooth. After placing it, the dentist will smooth the tooth and polish it. The filling will also be tooth-colored, so it will not be noticeable.

Extraction

In the most extreme cases, the dentist may elect to pull the tooth. This will be the right choice if a fracture is so large that there is not much tooth left. Pulling the tooth may also be a good option if the tooth is profoundly decayed or infected. After extracting the tooth, the dentist will talk about tooth-replacement treatments. These may include implants or partial dentures.