Our teeth go through a lot of stress during our lifetime. Not only do they help us to bite and chew the food that we eat, but they are also exposed to a variety of hazardous substances, from sugars in the food and drink we consume to chemicals such as nicotine.
People who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may suffer from tooth damage and erosion caused by stomach acids coming back up into the throat and mouth. Finally, there are also medical conditions and medications that can cause damage to our teeth, including bruxism, aspirin and even antihistamines.
Unfortunately, this means that our adult teeth, which ideally need to last us the remainder of our lifetime, are inevitably going to be affected by damage and decay regardless of how well we brush.
The good news is that dentistry has evolved so that it is now possible to rectify virtually any dental problem that we may experience, from simple issues such as cavities to more severe situations such as an infection or knocked-out tooth. These solutions are known as restorative dentistry.
What is restorative dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is the name given to dental treatments that are carried with the principle purpose of restoring the teeth so that the patient can use them without any compromises.
Restorative dentistry encompasses a wide variety of different treatments with some of the most common including:
- Cavity fillings. Made from silver amalgam, tooth-colored resin or gold, these fill gaps in your tooth enamel caused by decay.
- Dental crowns. These sit over the top of teeth that have been badly eroded, decayed, or damaged in some way, holding the remaining pieces together and covering it completely to prevent further damage. Since they look just like regular teeth, they restore the shape and size of your tooth, enabling you to use them normally again.
- Dental bridge. Bridges work by bridging the gap left by a tooth that has fallen out or required extraction. They are created from dental crowns, which are attached to neighboring teeth for support.
- Dental implants. Also used to replace missing teeth, implants work by replacing the tooth root with a metal post, which then fuses to the jaw bone to create a secure base. Attached to the post is a prosthetic tooth created using a porcelain crown.
Why you shouldn’t delay dental restorations
People put off having dental treatment for a number of different reasons. Some of the most commonly cited excuses for failing to get the dental restorations that they need include:
- Fear of the dentist or a dental procedure
- Lack of time to visit the dentist
- Lack of symptoms which means that they believe the treatment to be unnecessary at that time
However, delaying your dental restorations is guaranteed to be a mistake, because teeth and dental problems cannot heal themselves. What begins as a small and easily treated area of decay can quickly worsen into a serious and painful problem that comes with plenty of unpleasant and painful symptoms.
Not only will you begin to experience the pain and suffering that accompanies many dental problems, you may require much more extensive and expensive dental work to rectify the situation.
Some of the key effects of delayed dental treatment include:
- Bad breath
- Dental pain ranging from a dull ache to acute agony
- Inability to eat properly
- Infection around the tooth
- Abscesses
- Swelling of the gums and mouth
- Periodontal disease
- Receding gums
- Tooth loss
- Jaw bone deterioration
- Dental infections entering the bloodstream and spreading to other parts of the body, including your body’s major organs
Delaying seeking assistance for delayed or damaged teeth could end up being a painful and costly endeavor. Don’t suffer the consequences of putting off the dental care you need.
Call our office today to learn more about restorative dentistry at Vero Dental Spa.