While teeth are composed of the hardest tissue in the body, they are still vulnerable to breaking, decay, extraction, and staining. Fortunately, dentists in cities like Raleigh, North Carolina have an arsenal of aesthetic and restorative services that help prevent or fix tooth loss and damage. WebMD.com identifies some of these procedures and their purposes.
Before the Decay Spreads
Poor dental hygiene leads to the formation of plaque on the surface of teeth, which then harbors bacteria that feed on sugars found in food. Oral bacteria, in turn, produce lactic acid that corrodes teeth. Before the decay spreads and worsens, a dentist in Raleigh, NC can fill the affected regions with a safe material that seals off the cavity and prevents it from growing.
Before the Damage Worsens
As for broken teeth, a dentist in Raleigh, NC will determine which ones, if any, need to be extracted. If only a portion of the tooth is missing and the remaining crown is intact, a dental crown may be installed. This custom-made cap can consist of porcelain fused to metal or a stainless steel material formed to replace the missing portion of a tooth’s natural crown. This restoration device helps restore the affected tooth’s function.
Root Restoration
When a tooth falls off, the root that connects it to the gum and bone structure usually comes out as well. The root is extremely important because without it, a tooth will not have the strength needed to chew food. This explains why traditional removable dentures do not function as effectively as natural teeth when it comes to chewing food. To fix the problem, a dental implant can be installed to replace the tooth root. When the implant has completely fused with the bone, a bridge or crown can be installed on top of it.
Bridge the Gap
Yet another solution for tooth loss, a dental bridge may be installed when a long section of the teeth line is missing. For instance, if three adjacent teeth have been extracted, two dental implants can be installed at rearmost portions of the gap and a bridge consisting of three artificial crowns can be installed on top of them. Such a method costs less compared to having three implants installed to hold three separate crowns.
Regardless of the dental procedure you need to restore the look and function of your teeth, make sure that it’s performed by a licensed and experienced dentist from practices like Gover and Gover Dentistry. Some dental restorative procedures, such as dental implant installation, can be invasive and should, therefore, be handled by a qualified and experienced professional.
(Source: Dental Health and Tooth Restorations, WebMD.com)