Restorative Dental Services
Posted on: 21 October 2020
If you suffer from poor oral health, there are a number of ways that your dentist can improve the look and functionality of your teeth and gums. In dentistry, there are cosmetic, preventive, and restorative applications available. The cosmetic applications help your teeth appear more attractive. However, they do not improve your oral health. The preventive services help protect your teeth from decay and other damage. Restorative services help repair the damage that your teeth have already incurred, often replacing lost tooth material.
Here are a few restorative services that your dentist likely provides.
Fillings
Dental fillings are used to replace the portion of the tooth that is missing due to decay. As bacterial acids dissolve the minerals that make up the tooth material, holes form in the teeth. These holes, which are called cavities, continue to widen and deepen without treatment.
When your dentist discovers a cavity in your tooth, they remove any remaining decaying tooth material from the damaged area and fill the hole with a suitable dental substance. The filling material selected often depends on the location of the tooth, the size of the cavity, and the desired aesthetic outcome.
Many adults prefer tooth-colored fillings in areas of the mouth that are readily seen. Thus, the dentist may use porcelain or composite resin fillings in highly visible areas. However, other filling materials, such as silver amalgam, may be used in other areas of the mouth.
Once the filling is in place, the tooth is restored. Additionally, the inner layers of the tooth are protected from bacterial entry.
Crowns
A dental crown is also used to repair decayed teeth. The crown is often applied in conjunction with a dental filling when the cavity is too large for the filling alone to repair the tooth.
When the decay in a tooth is extensive, a large amount of tooth material may be lost. The filling may replace the missing areas of the tooth. However, the crown may still be needed to fortify the tooth and help ensure that the filling remains in place. The dental crown surrounds the entire area of the tooth that is exposed in the mouth.
Like a filling, a crown may be constructed of tooth-colored materials, such as porcelain, resin, or porcelain-over-metal. However, other materials, such as stainless steel, may also be selected.
If you have suffered dental damage from decay, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area. Contact a dentist office, such as AQ Denture and Dental Implant Center, for more information.
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