We have all had cavities before. Unless you are genetically gifted and incredibly lucky, you are familiar with the basic process. Going to the dentist and being told you have a cavity or a chipped tooth, scheduling an appointment to get it fixed, and then the dentist performs some magic and just like your tooth is healed. Well, not quite. You may know what the process feels like on your end, but what about the actual process the dentist uses to fix your teeth? Here are the different ways that your dentist may repair your damaged teeth.
A Filling
The first, and most common, way that your dentist will repair damaged teeth is by installing a filling. Filings are primarily used to fill holes in your teeth, more commonly known as a cavity. Filling can also sometimes be used to repair a cracked or broken tooth, but less commonly so. Fillings can be made from a lot of different materials, typically some combination of metals, plastics, or glass—in the past, sometimes even gold. Fillings are long lasting, durable, and will look almost unnoticeable to the untrained eye. There is nothing to be afraid of with a filling and know that you can discuss your filling options with your dentist to use the material you like the best.
A Dental Crown
Another very common way that dentists repair damaged teeth is with a dental crown. Most people have at least one dental crown on their teeth, many without even realizing it. Crowns are pieces that cover the top of damaged teeth and are sealed in place. Dental crowns are also typically permanent and require no special maintenance or cleaning once they are properly installed. Unlike with fillings, dental crowns cannot be made with pure gold. Pure gold is too malleable to be used in dental crowns.
Veneers
The final way that dentists may go about repairing damaged teeth is through the use of veneers. If your dentist has to remove several teeth, or you have larger scale damage, a veneer can give you the strength and appearance of perfect teeth again. Veneers are typically made of porcelain and look just like real teeth. They can either be implants or caps for your damaged teeth. A veneer is a more expensive solution and may not be covered by your insurance, discuss your options with a dentist.
Your teeth are an important part of your health. Going to the dentist is a great step, but do you really know what they are doing to repair your teeth? Learn about these three different methods dentists use to fix teeth so that you can ask the right questions at your next dentist appointment!
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