Categories: Dental Restorations

Dental Restoration Procedures for Damaged Teeth

Dental restoration treatments might be right for you if you are unhappy about the way your teeth look. There are various treatments that a dentist can use to restore teeth. Each has its pros and cons, so the dentist will educate you about the best options for you.

Reasons that you might be unhappy with the appearance of your smile include:

Discolored/stained teeth
Poor teeth alignment
Cracked, chipped or broken teeth
Short or deformed teeth
Worn-down teeth
Decayed teeth

What to expect during dental restoration treatments

Dental restoration treatments start with the dentist evaluating the patient's teeth. X-rays and other diagnostic tests might be performed to evaluate what is going on underneath the gums. The dentist might then recommend procedures like the following.

1. Teeth whitening

These treatments use bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from teeth. The bleaching agent penetrates teeth enamel, whitening the tooth's inner layers as well. A single whitening treatment done at a dental clinic can improve the color of a person's teeth by eight shades after a single treatment. For some people, that is enough to get the desired shade of white, while others need more treatments to reach the color they desire.

2. Veneers

These are thin shells that are used to cover a tooth's front surface. It can hide issues like stains that do not respond to whitening treatments or deformities on a tooth. Veneers can also be used to make teeth appear better aligned. These restorations are popular with celebrities so actors can have smiles that suit their roles. They are now available to everyone.

3. Crowns

These are the most valuable players when it comes to oral restorations. Crowns have many uses in dentistry. They can be used to address cosmetic issues like stains and deformities. They can also be used to restore the function of damaged teeth or to protect them from bite forces and irritants in the mouth.

Also called caps, crowns are designed to cover up the visible part of teeth. They look just like real teeth and can be color-matched with the patient's teeth.

4. Teeth straightening treatments

For some people, it is the alignment of their teeth that ruins the aesthetics of their smile. Teeth straightening appliances, like metal braces, ceramic braces and clear aligners, can be used to improve the alignment of a person's teeth. Issues that orthodontic appliances can be used to fix include overbites, underbites and crossbites.

5. Composite bonding

Here is another versatile procedure that can be used to restore damaged teeth. It involves using composite resin to repair damaged teeth. The composite is made up of plastics and glass and applied to the patient's tooth in layers. It can be molded as desired to restore the look and function of the tooth.