Every time you eat, you feel the food stuck in your teeth.
You struggle to get it out and your teeth hurt. If you suffer from this situation, one of your teeth might be damaged, and you might undergo a tooth restoration. What is tooth restoration and how is it done? Read on to understand everything about tooth restoration.
What is tooth restoration?
If you suffer from tooth decay or your tooth is damaged, you will need a tooth restoration to restore what is damaged from the tooth structure. It is all about restoring your teeth to their original state, or at least into a functional and esthetic state.
Who is qualified to perform a tooth restoration?
General dentists can perform this procedure. A general dentist doesn’t require any additional education or any certification to perform a tooth restoration. However, it all depends on the level of difficulty of the procedure and if the dentist is comfortable in performing it. There are different procedures done in tooth restoration, and many are covered by prosthodontic dentistry which is a dental specialty.
What are the types of tooth restoration?
There are many choices for repairing a damaged tooth. It all depends on the nature of your problem. However, there are two types of tooth restoration. These include the direct tooth restoration and the indirect tooth restoration. The direct method involves placing a filling into the tooth cavity. It can be done in one visit. Depending on the type and location of the filling, your dentist will choose one filling option and use it for the restoration. The indirect method will require multiple visits. It involves customized tooth replacements in the form of crowns which cover all the chewing surface of the tooth, onlays which cover one cusp tip or more, and inlays which lie in the cusps of the tooth. The materials are made in a lab, and that is why you must visit the dentist multiple times to complete the restoration.
Caring for your teeth
Having food stuck in your teeth will lead to having the bacteria in your mouth turning the food into acids. This will cause the formation of plaque which will cling into your teeth and eat away at the tooth enamel. This will ultimately cause cavities and decay. That is why it’s important to practice healthy dental hygiene. Even if you had to have any dental restoration performed, you should continue to take care of your teeth so that you wouldn’t develop a serious condition.
What to look for when choosing your tooth restoration doctor?
First, make sure that you choose a professional you are comfortable working with. Any damage to your teeth means damage to your smile, and you wouldn’t want that. Make sure that your doctor knows what they are talking about and that they can guide through the procedure and explain why they choose to perform a specific type of tooth restoration.