Fillings, Crowns and Dental Implants

Fillings are also placed on teeth that have been damaged in other ways including those that have been worn down due to nail biting or grinding, or those that have been chipped. Your dentist will evaluate your need for a filling. Once it's determined that a filling is the best treatment option, the dentist will discuss with you the various filling options that make sense for the damaged tooth. A number of filling options are available, and their differences center on the types of material used for each. Some are made with combinations of metals that can withstand a lot of chewing action. Others aren't as strong and are good choices for small-sized cavities or cavities that appear in between teeth.

The most common type of dental filling and the type that's been in use the longest is the amalgam filling. Its combination of metal elements including tin, silver, mercury, copper and others creates a dental amalgam that's inexpensive to produce, extremely durable and easy to work with. It's usually the perfect choice for filling cavities in molars because its silver color is not very noticeable and because it can withstand much chewing.

A composite filling is the color of a tooth therefore, it's less noticeable. Made by mixing quartz or glass filler into a resin medium, this filling is perfect for smaller cavities and those cavities located in frontal teeth. The material is less durable than an amalgam filling, but it can withstand moderate chewing. Composite fillings cost more and they can be bonded onto the tooth.

An ionomer filling is a good choice when a cavity is located on a root surface. Made with glass powders and acrylic acids, the end result is a translucent filling that can also release fluoride.

What we dread most about the filling procedure is a toss-up between the shot of local anesthesia and the high-pitched telltale whine of the drill that is used to clean out and shape the cavity. Both can make a person shrink with fear and unfortunately, both are necessary. The various types of fillings each require a unique preparation process including use of different tools. When the filling is in place and properly affixed to the affected tooth, the final step is to polish the material.

It's common to feel sensitivity in the area of the filling for a week or two after the procedure. Temperature, pressure, sweets and air can all cause the area to feel sensitive and avoiding these can be challenging, but try. If these feelings don't go away, you should make another appointment with your dentist. If you can, pay attention to the discomfort you're experiencing so you can accurately describe it to the dentist. The description will help the dentist decide how to proceed.

Most fillings will need to be replaced at some point because they will either fall out, or weaken, or discolor or crack. When one is ready to be replaced, talk with the dentist to learn the best option for replacing that filling.

Crowns

Like the name implies, a crown is designed to sit atop a tooth that is too damaged to be fixed with a filling. This type of extensive damage can be caused by tooth decay, but it can also result from a tooth that has been cracked or chipped. There are other reasons people put crowns on their teeth. For example, if a bridge is needed, a crown helps hold it into place.

Crowns can also be created for reasons that are purely cosmetic. Severely discolored teeth and/or teeth that are misshapen can be topped with crowns to create a look that is more visually pleasing. And today, some people cap perfectly healthy teeth in gold as a status symbol.

A lot of preparation is required before a crown can be properly affixed to a tooth. The tooth typically has to be made smaller to ensure a proper fit. This is accomplished by filing the tooth. Sometimes, not much of the tooth remains and it must first be built up.

When damage or decay is extensive, the patient may first need a root canal - a procedure which remedies pulp that has been infected or inflamed. If this procedure isn't done, there's an increased chance of losing the tooth.

After the tooth's size and underlying root and pulp issues have been addressed, the next step is to create an impression. That's an important step because the crown must be the correct size or it will be useless. An impression is basically a mold of the tooth from which the crown will be created. To ensure the crowned tooth won't in any way affect the bite, impressions of surrounding teeth are also made.

After the impressions are made, they are sent to the laboratory where the permanent crown will be crafted. Crowns can be produced using a number of different materials including ceramic, metal or a combination of metal and porcelain. A temporary crown, which you'll wear until your permanent crown is fitted, can be made out of stainless steel or plastic right there in the dentist's office.

When the permanent crown is ready, you'll return to the dentist where the crown will be fitted and adjusted as necessary. When all is perfect, the crown is permanently attached to the tooth using cement. After the crown is put into place, you may still experience some problems such as sensitivity or discomfort. If so, return to the dentist and discuss the feelings. The crown may require repositioning. And if there still is a nerve under the crown, it may be reacting to hot and cold causing sensitivity.

A crown is a very durable dental treatment and it's not uncommon for one to last decades. But during that time you could experience problems with the crown. It might chip, especially if it is porcelain. Or the cement might begin to wash away partially or completely. If any of these problems arise, you'll need to return to the dentist. Bacteria and acids can leak onto the tooth when crowns are loose or they fall out and this can lead to tooth decay.

Dental Implants

If you're missing teeth, you may want to consider getting dental implants. A dental implant is designed to look, feel and act like a real tooth, which can help boost your self-confidence, help you chew your foods more efficiently and can help avoid bone atrophy, a process whereby the jawbone begins to shrink over time. Dental implants may even improve your speech.

Dental implants are made from titanium. The bottom of an implant is shaped like a screw or nail and it is designed to mimic the root of a tooth. This part of the implant is surgically inserted into the jawbone. An incision deep enough and wide enough to support the implant is made into the jaw bone, and then it's inserted.

Osseointegration, a process in which the bone surrounding the titanium implant grows around the implant, takes place during the following months, helping to ensure the implants remain in place.

Titanium is the preferred material for dental implants because of its durability, its non-corrosive and non-magnetic properties and because of its ability to resist among other things acid, oxygen and salt solutions. Most importantly, the body does not reject titanium. After the implants have been put into place, the next step involves placement of crowns, dentures or bridge.

The Root-Form implant is the most popular. It's perfect for individuals with a sufficient quantity of bone remaining in the jaw. Those who have lost a considerable amount of bone in the jaw will benefit from a Ramus-Frame implant. Only two implants are imbedded into the jawbone, near the wisdom teeth. A wire bracket runs along the gum line onto which dentures are placed.

A Blade Form implant is similar to the Root Form, except two blades will protrude above the gum line. The bridge or crown is then attached to the two blades. A Transosseous implant is another option, but it's not very popular because of the extensive amount of surgery involved.

Although dental implants initially cost considerably more than crowns, bridges or dentures, they are designed to last for life. When the costs are spread over the long-term, the price becomes much more reasonable. Patients who have chosen implants prefer them over dentures because with implants, there no longer is a thick layer of plastic covering the roof of their mouths. With the plastic out of the way, taste is greatly enhanced.

Also, with dentures certain foods like apples and popcorn must be avoided, but with implants, there are no food restrictions. Dentures must be secured into place with denture adhesive, which can be messy and sticky. There's no need for adhesives with implants.

Those whose health is poor, or who smoke or drink alcohol excessively, or who take certain medications, or who are pregnant, or whose jawbones have not yet fully developed and others may not be good candidates for dental implants. If you're interested in dental implants, discuss this option with your dentist.