Dental care has been on the rise in the past few years, but many Americans still experience tooth loss. The primary causes of teeth loss are injuries, periodontal disease, or tooth decay. The only options for people were dentures or bridges, but a relatively new option is now available in the form of dental implants.
Biting down on ice is something most of us enjoy doing, but at times when you bite on it too hard, your tooth will crack. The enamel is a hard material, but like everything, it has its limits. Receiving a blow to the jaw, falling and biting down too hard on ice can cause your tooth to chip or crack. When this happens, do not worry, a visit to the dentist is what you need to fix it.
Self-care Measures
Immediately after you notice you have a chipped tooth, there some measures you can take before you head to the dentist. Take some OTC pain relievers if the tooth is painful. In case the break has caused a jagged edge, cover it with sugarless gum or wax paraffin to protect your tongue. If you want to eat, eat soft foods and avoid eating with your broken tooth. Here are some of the ways dentist fix chipped teeth.Veneers
[optio-video id=”dentistry/cosmetic/veneers”] When your chipped tooth is a cosmetic issue, veneers are the best option. A veneer is a porcelain composite material that covers the whole tooth surface giving it a natural look.Procedure
Your dentist will remove close to 1.2 mm of enamel from your tooth and create an impression that is sent to the dental laboratory to make the veneer. Once the veneer is ready (it might take a week or two), you’ll need to return to your dentist to have it placed. Before the placing it, your dentist will put a liquid on the surface of the chipped tooth to make it rough. To the veneer, a special cement is applied and placed on the chipped tooth. Once in position, a special light activates the chemicals in the cement to harden quickly. It is a cheap method when doing a tooth or two, but quite expensive if there are several chipped teeth. The best part is that veneers can last 10 to 20 years.Bonding or Filling
If the chip is small and uncomplicated, your dentist is likely to suggest bonding or a filling to fix the tooth. Bonding is for repairing a chipped tooth that is noticeable when you smile while filling fixes your tooth if a small piece of enamel has chipped off.Procedure
Your dentist will mold a composite material over the healthy area of the tooth, and then the enamel is roughened after the chip comes off. The composite material is shaped to create a natural-looking extension that hardens once exposed to blue light. You can last with bonding for ten years only when it’s well-taken care of. This procedure is ideal for small cosmetic chips.Dental Implants
[optio-video id=”dentistry/implants/about”] Implants are the preferred option for tooth replacement. You can consider dental implants if your tooth has cracked close to the gum line or a significant chunk has chipped.Procedure
When your dentist notices your tooth has chipped close to the gum line, the first thing done is assessing the damage done. Then deciding if you are eligible for dental implants and if so, your dentist takes the structure of your teeth and bite. On your second appointment, your dentist will give you anesthesia before drilling a hole in your jaw. This will house your replaced tooth. A post made of titanium is inserted into the hole and left to adjust to the structure of your jawbone. It takes two months before the post integrates entirely into the jawbone. You return to your dentist’s office after two months to have an artificial crown made. It is similar to your tooth structure and then it is attached. It takes close to seven months for the entire process to be complete.Dental Crown
[optio-video id=”dentistry/decay/crown”] Like veneers, crowns are used to cover your chipped tooth if a significant amount falls off. It is a fast way of repairing your tooth and prevents what’s left from further damage from tooth decay. There are different types of crowns. Permanent crown made of metal, ceramic, resin, or porcelain fused to metal crowns. Crowns are a cheap alternative if you can’t afford implants. Root canals fall under this category. An endodontist specializes in a root canal. They can do a root canal if the top of your tooth has chipped but the root is intact. Your dentist will perform root canal therapy to replace the chipped tooth. Then place a pin in the canal and build enough structure for setting the crown. Over the pin, your dentist will cement the crown later on.Procedure
Similar to dental implants, you will visit your dentist twice to complete the procedure. For the first visit, X-rays will be taken to check the condition of the roots and its surrounding. If there are no problems, the dentist will numb your tooth and gum around it and remove what’s left of the chipped tooth to create space for the crown. If a large piece chipped off, your dentist could use a filling to build the tooth up so that it can hold the crown. An impression of the tooth getting the crown and the one above is made using a putty-like material. It is sent to the lab to mold the crown. Your dentist can place a temporary crown until your next appointment. After two or three weeks, you will have your second appointment to have your crown fixed.About Us
Are you looking for a trusted dentist who offers affordable services within Pleasant View? Look no further but Mountain View Dental. We serve the Pleasant View community with qualified staff and dentists who cater to all your dentistry issues. We have free consultations that we offer. Our team makes you understand the insurance policies and the care that we provide to you. Make an appointment with us and have all your dentistry problems solved.If you have never visited a dentist for a dental filling, you might have heard that filling tooth cavities involves a lot of drilling. Some people feel that the amount of drilling work done is not proportional to the size of the tooth cavities. This article will explain why dentists have to drill wide and deep before filling tooth cavities.
How are tooth cavities formed?
To understand why drilling is needed, it is essential first to understand how tooth cavities come about. Tooth cavities result from tooth decay. Sugary food substances may build up on your teeth over time. When these substances combine with saliva and bacteria, they release acids. These acids gradually dissolve the enamel. If the enamel is eroded at a faster rate than it is replaced, cavities form. Tooth decay can also originate from the inner layers of the teeth. This happens when food substances build up at the root of the tooth. Gum disease can also cause tooth decay.
[optio-video id=”dentistry/decay/filling”]Why must there be drilling?
When you visit a dentist for a dental filling, the dentist will first numb the gums to reduce pain. After that, the dentist cannot just go ahead and fill the cavity. If they do so, the bacteria causing the decay will remain in the tooth and cause further decay. Furthermore, the parts of the tooth that are in the early stages of tooth decay will eventually dissolve and create another cavity.
Filling a tooth cavity seeks to achieve two goals. First, it should replace the damaged parts of the tooth. Second, the dental filling should prevent the decay-causing bacteria from damaging the remaining sections of the tooth. The dentist is therefore forced to drill to remove any traces of bacteria. They must also remove any portion that has started decaying.
Not all drilling involves removing bacteria and decayed tooth parts. Sometimes, dentists are forced to drill healthy portions of the tooth. For example, when the cavity is tiny, the dentist is forced to dig to create a sufficient working space. Furthermore, some cavities lie deep inside the tooth. This is common for tooth decays that start at the root of the tooth. Such decays erode the inner layers of the tooth. The dentist will, therefore, have to drill to access the cavity.
It is almost impossible to conduct a thorough dental filling procedure without drilling. The amount of drilling done depends on the extent of the bacterial attack and the location of the cavity.
How to take care of your teeth
The build-up of sugary food substances is the primary cause of tooth cavities. You can prevent this by brushing your teeth regularly using fluoride toothpaste. If tooth decay is discovered in its early stages, it will be easier to treat. It is, hence, advisable to visit a dentist frequently for dental check-ups.
[optio-video id=”dentistry/preventative/brushing”]Dental services in Pleasant View, Utah
If you live in Pleasant View, Utah or the surrounding areas, you should visit Mountain View Dental center to receive top-class dental services. Our services include dental fillings, dental crowns, dental exams, dental implants, extractions, digital x-rays, fluoride treatments, teeth cleaning, and teeth whitening. We have brought together a squad of devoted and accomplished dentists, hygienists, and assistants. Our offices are designed to give you tranquility as you receive dental services. Our exam rooms are equipped with Netflix and a personal TV. We also have a fireplace and a kids club at the center.
You can find out more about Mountain View Dental or book an appointment today.
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