Prevent Tooth Decay With Dental Restorations

Prevent Tooth Decay With Dental Restorations from La Verne Dental & Implant Center in La Verne, CADental restorations address decayed, weak, missing, and fractured teeth. Dentists use restorations to restore and replace entire teeth or parts of the tooth's structure. Cavities, or tooth decay, are among the top reasons for dental restoration. Cavities permanently damage the hard surface of the teeth. Decay may be caused by bacteria, sipping sugary drinks, frequent snacking, or poor dental hygiene.

Which dental restorations prevent tooth decay?

There are various dental restorations a dentist can perform to address and prevent tooth decay. While brushing and flossing can help prevent cavities, they cannot always stop the advancement of decay.

Crowns

Dentists often use crowns to restore the size and shape of a tooth after a root canal procedure. However, dentists may also use crowns to protect teeth from further decay. Crowns involve placing a tooth-shaped cap over a tooth. Generally, the dentist takes an impression of the patient's tooth and sends the impression to the lab. Before the lab creates the final crown, patients receive a temporary crown or filling.

Patients may be able to choose from various materials. Some crown materials include:

  • Porcelain
  • Composite resin
  • Ceramic
  • Metal
  • Zirconia

Porcelain is the most common material for a crown.

Fillings

Dental fillings are one of the most common ways to fix and restore teeth suffering from cavities. When cavities form holes in the enamel but do not affect the tooth's pulp, a dentist can fill the hole with material to protect it and restore the function of the tooth. In addition, fillings can help broken teeth and teeth that may be exposed to decay.

During a dental filling, the dentist examines the damage from the decay or erosion. A dentist may remove the affected area and insert filling material to restore the tooth's original shape and prevent decay. Fillings also come in various materials, such as composite resin, silver, gold alloy, and porcelain.

Sealants

Sealants are a type of dental restoration that takes the form of thin, plastic coatings. Dentists paint the coating onto the surface of the teeth, generally on the molars and premolars, for decay prevention. When used, the sealant bonds to the grooves and depressions in the teeth and form a protective shield.

Patients have difficulty removing food particles and plaque from the back teeth because of all the grooves. Brushing and flossing tend to be more effective on smooth teeth. A dentist seals the back teeth to create a smooth surface and protect it from decay by sealing out food and bacteria.

To apply sealant, dentists clean and dry the tooth. Next, the dentist applies an acid solution to roughen the teeth to help bond the sealant. After rinsing the teeth again, the dentist paints the sealant directly onto the enamel. In some instances, the dentist may use a curing light to help it harden.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Restorations in La Verne, CA

Conclusion

Dental restorations can address a variety of issues caused by tooth decay. When left alone, cavities become worse and destroy the structure of the tooth. Crowns, fillings, and sealants can reduce further damage from cavities.

Request an appointment or call La Verne Dental & Implant Center at 909-575-1034 for an appointment in our La Verne office.

Related Posts

Dental Restoration Or Cosmetic Dental Procedure

There appears to be some overlap between dental restorations and cosmetic dentistry. However, people need to know the difference between the two because dental insurance may cover a dental restoration but not a cosmetic procedure. This article examines the key differences between the two types of dentistry and provides examples of each.The primary difference between…

How To Choose The Right Dental Restoration Procedure For Your Needs

You may need a type of dental restoration at some point in your life. There are many types of treatments available. Knowing how to select each one can give you the results that you need. Here are some tips on how to choose the right type of dental restoration procedure that will fit your dental…

Got A Missing Tooth? Dental Restoration Can Help

The purpose of dental restorations is to replace permanent teeth that are lost. This can happen because of trauma to the tooth that renders it irreparable or decay that is so extensive that it requires extraction. There are several restoration options for replacing a missing tooth. Some are removable while others are permanently fixed in…