Daily life exposes your teeth to some wear and tear. Your teeth and gums may be impacted by trauma such as sporting accidents. Perhaps your smile has changed due to aging or a medical condition. Gum disease and tooth decay are common reasons your pearly white teeth can wear down. No matter the underlying cause, a Bethesda, MD dentist can advise you on how to change the function and appearance of your smile. Below are treatments you can consider if you want to improve your smile:
Dental Crowns
Crowns are designed to repair or strengthen discolored or damaged teeth. Your dentist will fit the crowns over your existing tooth structures to restore the natural look and function of your teeth. Also, dental crowns can be placed after root canal therapy or to support a bridge.
In general, dental crowns are made from ceramic or porcelain with a color that matches your natural teeth. Some of them are made of metal with metal alloys or porcelain as their outer layer.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are meant to replace your missing teeth to improve your speech, smile, overall health, and ability to chew. They are titanium posts surgically placed into your jaw. They serve as artificial teeth roots that support dental crowns. They provide a fixed solution compared to dentures. However, not everyone can get dental implants. These implants are ideal for people who don’t have gum disease or medical issues like diabetes. Also, smoking can cause complications with dental implants and impact recovery times.
Dental Bridges
As with dental implants, dental bridges replace missing teeth. These false teeth are attached between 2 dental crowns. The natural teeth on either side of the gap must be prepared for the dental crowns with the dental bridge cemented between them.
Dental bridges are less permanent than dental implants, but they are a great option if the teeth near the gap have fillings or must be fitted with crowns. Your dentist can help you determine if dental bridges or implants work for you.
Dental Veneers
These thin restorations are added to the surfaces of your front teeth. Your dentist can recommend them to correct small gaps, discoloration, slight crookedness, and cracks. Porcelain veneers are made to fit over your teeth while veneers made from composite resin are built up in your mouth.
Dental veneers can be a good alternative to teeth whitening. Also, you can consider having them if you want to change your teeth’s shape. Your dentist can choose the veneer material that matches your real teeth color.
