Tooth wear can happen quickly or over a long period of time. Unfortunately, most people don’t
notice the wear until they are experiencing quite a bit of pain. Once the tooth enamel is worn
away, the softer tissue underneath—called dentin—begins to wear away as well.

How can you treat teeth that have been worn down, sometimes severely? Here are your
treatment options for restoring this type of damage on your smile!

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding involves using a material that matches the color of your teeth to build the
damaged part of the tooth back up. This material is called composite resin and is used for a
variety of treatments in dentistry, even fillings!

Dental bonding with composite resin can improve your appearance and prevent further
damage to your smile. However, it may not be the best treatment choice if the damage to your
worn down teeth is severe.

This form of treatment can help the teeth appear longer and decrease the chances of future
damage. Dental bonding will need to be reapplied every so often in order for it to continue to
protect and enhance your smile, so regular dental visits are important when you choose this
form of treatment.

Dental bonding can usually be done in just one appointment, helping your teeth look better in
just one day!

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can be used for severe cases of worn down teeth. This type of treatment
involves a tooth restoration that’s very durable—typically made out of porcelain—that’s
permanently placed over your tooth to protect the damaged tissue underneath.

If your teeth are severely worn down, a crown lengthening procedure may be needed before
dental crowns can be an option. Crown lengthening involves reshaping your gums to expose
more of your tooth to create a more natural-looking smile.

Dental crowns help to protect your teeth in addition to restoring function and improving
appearance. You and your dentist can discuss if dental crowns are an option for your worn
down teeth.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers consist of a lightweight shell that’s placed over your damaged teeth and
permanently bonded there. Veneers can help alleviate tooth sensitivity and restore function
and beauty to your smile.

When worn down teeth make you look older than you really are, porcelain veneers can make
your smile strong and healthy again. You can even customize your color to have whiter teeth,
making this option more of a total makeover.

Treatment for your worn down teeth will depend on the cause of the wear and how extensive
the damage is. Normally, treatment will also involve addressing the root cause of your worn
down teeth, such as bruxism. You and your dentist can discuss these different treatment
options based on your unique smile!

The post Which Treatment Options Are Available for Worn Down Teeth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

You should never wait to fix your chipped or cracked tooth, even if you aren’t experiencing any
pain. Here’s why you should make an appointment to get your injured tooth looked at!

Evaluate Tooth for Further Damage

When your tooth has been chipped or cracked, the best course of action is to have it evaluated
by a professional dentist for damage you can’t see. The crack may run deeper than you think
and can even compromise tooth structure, making your tooth more susceptible to future chips
and cracks.

This evaluation also serves to protect your affected tooth from further harm. When you get
your injured tooth treated promptly, you reduce the chances that something else will happen
to your tooth that could cause infection, discoloration, or the need for additional treatment.

The Damage May Affect Your Tooth’s Nerve

The nerves of our teeth rest in the center of the tooth protected by a layer of dentin and a layer
of enamel to keep bacteria out. If your crack or chip is large enough to affect the nerve tissue of your tooth, there is a higher risk for infection as you’re exposing the center of your tooth to bacteria and food particles.

If the crack or chip is deep, the nerve inside your tooth can become infected and die, causing
your tooth to become discolored and eventually leading to the need for a root canal. You
should never wait to seek treatment for a chipped or cracked tooth

When Should You Seek Treatment?

For some people, a cracked or chipped tooth is not painful and so they forgo treatment. By the
time their affected tooth does start to hurt, typically an infection has set in and the tooth may
not be able to be saved.

Although a cracked or chipped tooth isn’t considered a dental emergency, you shouldn’t wait
more than a day or two to seek treatment. It’s always a good idea to contact your dentist to
describe the problem and make an appointment for an evaluation as soon as it happens.

However, if your tooth has cracked to the point that it is jagged, causing extreme pain, or
bleeding, you should see the dentist sooner. In the meantime, salt water rinses and over-the-
counter pain medication may help your discomfort. Always treat an injured tooth with care
until you can get to the dentist.

Treatment options include dental bonding, which is simple and painless, or if your damage is
extensive, a dental crown.

Don’t let your cracked or chipped tooth go to the point that you need root canal therapy to
save your tooth. Evaluation and treatment today can prevent future dental problems and might
just save your smile! If you’ve cracked or chipped a tooth, don’t delay in reaching out to your
dentist for an appointment!

The post Should I Fix My Chipped or Cracked Tooth or Can It Wait? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.