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Teeth are a major part of the human body that maintains the structure of the face. Our teeth have an outer coating called enamel. It is the hardest substance in the body, capable of withstanding regular chewing forces.

However, the enamel isn’t invincible. While healthy teeth can withstand the wear and tear of regular chewing, teeth can develop microscopic cracks and fractures. These cracks and fractures are quite small, and it can be hard to spot them.

These tiny cracks and fractures allow bacteria to enter the tooth and cause decay. Left unattended, the decay can spread through the tooth and form a large cavity.

Consequences of damaged teeth

When teeth are damaged, the damaged area may hurt or feel sensitive. When chewing, it may feel uncomfortable. When biting down, the damaged teeth may crack, chip, or break. This puts your remaining teeth at risk. For example, the broken piece is often sharp and jagged when a tooth breaks, putting surrounding teeth at risk.

There are several treatments that can help restore your damaged tooth, a few of which have been listed below.

Root canal therapy 

Sometimes, teeth can become worn down, cracked, or infected. When this happens, a root canal is often the best solution. In a root canal procedure, your dental professional will carefully remove the infected tissue causing you pain. 

Tooth filling 

If you have a cavity, your dentist will clean out the cavity and restore the damaged part of the tooth with a filling.

The most common types of fillings are dental amalgam and composite resin. An amalgam filling is a mixture of silver, tin, copper, and mercury. A composite resin filling is a mixture of plastic and glass.

Dental crowns 

Dental crowns restore teeth by covering the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gum line. They look and feel just like natural teeth and can make your teeth stronger and improve the appearance of your smile.

Dental crowns also protect teeth from further damage. If you have a cracked, broken, or severely worn down tooth, a crown will restore its appearance and protect it from further damage.

Dental bridges 

Dental bridges are fixed appliances that replace one or more missing teeth. They are made up of one or more artificial teeth attached to crowns on either side of the gap.

The crowns on either side of the gap are called abutments. They connect to an artificial tooth in the middle called pontics.

A dental bridge replaces missing teeth, whereas partial dentures are used to replace multiple missing teeth.

Dental implants

Tooth loss can be due to an accident or decay and is a fairly common problem among adults. When teeth are missing, the patient may experience embarrassment, pain, and difficulty eating and speaking. A dental implant is an excellent solution for replacing a missing tooth. A dental implant is a titanium tooth root that is surgically implanted into the jawbone. The implant fuses with the jawbone to provide stability and is used to support a dental crown, bridge, or denture.

To know more about the treatments, call us at 972 864-0000 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to visit the practice located in Garland, TX.