If your smile is less than perfect or you have other dental issues, such as bleeding gums, caries and tooth sensitivity, you should definitely visit your dentist. Fortunately, with the numerous advancements in medicine, there have been nearly as many when it comes to dental procedures. Some modern procedures have been made simpler, others less painful than in the past, but the truth is that there aren’t many oral health problems that they can’t fix. Here are some of these procedures and when you should consider them.
Bonding
This procedure is one of the simplest and most affordable ones. If you have a chipped, fractured or a discolored tooth, or one of your teeth has decayed, your dentist can apply a composite resin to repair that tooth. The resin is tooth-colored and the procedure is usually done in a single visit. It also doesn’t require you to get anesthesia, unless your tooth is decayed. Bonding is also a good option for filling the spaces between your teeth, or even when you simply want to change your teeth color or shape. Furthermore, if your gums have receded and some of your roots are exposed, bonding can help you protect them. Since the resin isn’t as strong as your own teeth, you have to avoid chewing on hard food. Your oral hygiene and the way you treat your teeth will determine how often you have to reapply the material.
Dental crowns
In cases when the top of your tooth gets broken or you have decay, but the bottom part remains intact and health, your general or cosmetic dentist may recommend a dental crown. This procedure usually requires two visits, since your dentist will have to take an impression of your teeth and then send that to the lab to make a crown that will fit you perfectly. While you wait for that, your dentist will most likely give you a temporary version of the crown. When the lab finishes your crown, you’ll have to go back to your dentist’s office and have it installed, which normally doesn’t take much time. The crowns are made from materials such as porcelain or metals, and they are a great way to protect any tooth that’s been damaged, due to the strength they add to your natural teeth. They are placed above your gum line and over your visible tooth, and they can improve the overall appearance of your teeth.
Root canals
Good oral hygiene and regular checkups with your dentist can save you a lot of trouble. If you don’t brush your teeth twice a day or if you don’t floss, you could end up with plaque, which can lead to decay if not removed. In such cases, the best thing to do is to find a dentist and get an appointment, which you can even do online nowadays. However, if it turns out that you waited for too long before visiting your dentist, the decay can spread and infect the pulp of the tooth and even the surrounding tissue. When this happens, you have to get a root canal. During this procedure, you get the pulp and the nerve removed from the inside of your tooth. The area is then cleaned properly, filled and sealed, after which you’ll probably have to come back to your dentist and have them place a crown or another type of protective restoration on your tooth.
Dental braces
Misaligned teeth don’t have to present a health issue, but they can cause problems for children and adults alike. They can lower your self-esteem and even have you shy away from people around you. If you aren’t happy with how your smile looks, visit an orthodontist and seek help. They will examine you and give you their opinion on what kind of braces are the best for your particular problem. There are several types of braces. From the traditional and lingual braces, to custom-made plastic aligners like Invisalign, you now have plenty of options to get your teeth in order. There are even self-legating braces, called Damon braces, which are easier to maintain than the traditional ones, they cause less pain and require fewer visits to your dentist. The best thing is that, with the progressive development in the sphere of dental technologies, you can actually solve your problems without anybody noticing that you have braces.
Dental issues can vary greatly from one person to another, but the ways to prevent and treat them are often simple and similar in most dental problems. Maintain your oral hygiene rigorously and don’t skip checkups with your dentist. This way you’ll enhance your chances of having healthy gums and teeth, and get treatment for any dental condition early enough to save your teeth.
