Our teeth have to put up with a lot. Whether they’re being battered by acidic drinks or helping you make your way through that delicious steak, they have to be tough to get their job done. As amazing as teeth are, though, sometimes they get damaged to the point where they need a dentist’s help. In other cases, the damage may be so severe that an extraction is necessary. Fortunately, though, your dentist in Hurt can help your smile get back to shining brightly. Let’s take a look at a few common types of restorations.
Crowns and Bridges
A crown is a custom-made cap that your dentist places over a badly damaged or misshapen tooth. They can be constructed of various materials, including gold, silver, and porcelain. Your dentist will probably recommend that you choose a porcelain crown because it will look like a natural part of your smile.
Crowns are also often used to support dental bridges. A bridge has two main parts: an artificial tooth (or teeth) in the middle that fill in the place where one of your own pearly whites was lost, and the crowns on the ends, which fit over adjacent teeth and keep the bridge in place. A bridge is a sturdy, attractive way to replace missing teeth that may last for up to 15 years.
Dentures
Dentures are a removable prosthesis that have a pink, gum-like base attached to a set of artificial teeth. Full dentures replace an entire arch of chompers, whether it is on the top or bottom of your mouth (or both). Partial dentures are ideal for placement where you’ve lost several teeth in a row.
This type of restoration can look natural in your mouth. It if fits well, it can also be comfortable and strong enough to help you consume all of your favorite goodies. However, you’ll probably need to get your dentures replaced every five to eight years because your jaw is likely to change shape, affecting the way your artificial teeth fit.
Root Canal Therapy
Root canal therapy, sometimes just called a “root canal,” is a procedure that aims to save a damaged tooth. It becomes necessary when the pulp, which is at the center of a tooth, becomes infected or damaged. A dentist uses special tools to clean out the damaged area and remove the nerve that’s causing you pain. Thereafter, your tooth gets filled in with a special material.
Depending on the extent of the work your dentist had to do, you might need a crown to protect the tooth that received the root canal therapy.
Does your smile need a little TLC? A restorative service from your dentist in Hurt may be able to get rid of your pain and give you back the gorgeous grin you’ve been missing.
About Mill and Wolf Family Dentistry
Drs. Paul Miller and Rudy Wolf work together with the rest of our team to provide top-notch dental care to folks in the Hurt area. Whether you have a toothache or gaps in your smile that need addressing, we’re happy to help! Feel free to contact us at 434-324-8241.