What Are Your Choices for Fixing Damaged Teeth?

Dentist Blog

If you have damaged, discolored, or crooked teeth, you may have more options for fixing them than you realize. These options are not as expensive as you might think and they may be faster and easier for your dentist to manage than you would assume. While braces are still a good option for very crooked teeth, you might not a few other options for fixing damaged teeth that don't take as long as braces to work and which don't cost as much.

Veneers

Veneers go over the front of the teeth; the word veneer even means a false front. These fronts are glued onto your teeth and can cover discoloration very easily. They can also fill in teeth that sit behind the line of teeth so that they look straight and not crooked. They can also go over undersized teeth and this too can make the teeth seem straight and even.

Crowns

Crowns go over the whole tooth itself and are glued into place. A crown is good for when a tooth is too decayed for a simple filling or for when the tooth has been cracked or chipped. These too can cover over undersized or crooked teeth and make them seem straight and even. A crown can also be used when teeth are discolored, but they may not actually be necessary if you just need teeth to appear whiter.

Crowns are very strong and durable so they are also often used when teeth are weak, such as from old age or decay. After a root canal, a crown can also be put on the tooth since it may be weakened from surgery.

Bonding

Bonding refers to a type of paste that is put on your tooth and then built up and shaped and formed; it then hardens and looks like your natural tooth. Bonding has the advantage of being able to be shaped and formed individually so that it can be used for virtually any purpose; it can go over the front of the tooth to make it seem larger and then also over the top of the tooth so that cavities are not exposed. Bonding can also make crooked teeth seem straight. The material can also be painted so that it matches other teeth exactly; it won't be overly white if your other teeth are not perfectly white. Bonding does require some skill from your dentist as he or she needs to shape it accordingly and it may not last as long as other options, but it's very flexible for your various needs for covering the teeth.

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13 July 2016

Dental Care and Seniors: Helping to Maintain Your Smile

As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.