Tooth trouble can be a real source of frustration. Chipped teeth, painful cavities or missing teeth are such a pain! They can make chewing uncomfortable, speech unclear and smiling a genuine challenge. Only those who have experienced this truly appreciate the painful impact this has on countless aspects of life. The good news is that modern restorative dentistry has your ideal solutions! Let’s explore some common types of tooth damage and repair options available to comprehensively restore your smile.
Common tooth damage
Each mouth has its own challenges, but some of them are more common than others. Get to know what you may be facing so you can enter into the conversation with your dentist from a position of knowledge.
Cavities
Cavities, or dental caries, are the most common form of tooth damage. They’re essentially holes that develop in your teeth due to tooth decay.
What causes cavities?
The culprit behind cavities is a sticky film called plaque that forms on your teeth throughout the day. Plaque is full of bacteria that feed on sugar and starches in your food. As this bacteria feeds, it produces acid as a waste product. This acid erodes the hard outer layer of your teeth, called enamel.
If left unchecked, this erosion can eat deeper into the softer inner layer of your tooth, known as dentin. Dentin contains tiny tubes that connect to the pulp, the centre of your tooth where nerves and blood vessels reside. When decay reaches the dentin, it can cause pain and sensitivity. If left untreated further, the decay can eventually reach the pulp, leading to infection and potentially tooth loss.
Repairing cavities
Cavities are treatable, especially when detected early. Here’s what dentists typically do to address cavities:
For small cavities: Dentists remove the decayed material using a drill and then clean the area. The cavity is then filled with a tooth-coloured composite resin or amalgam (metal filling) to restore the tooth’s structure and function. Composite resin is the most preferred choice due to its natural-looking appearance.
Chipped or cracked teeth
Minor chips or cracks in teeth are a fairly common occurrence. They can happen due to several reasons, including:
Biting down on hard objects: Chomping down on anything from ice cubes and nuts to hard candy or popcorn kernels leads to tooth damage.
Accidents: A fall, a blow to the face during sports or even using your teeth to cut, grip or tear something other than tooth-friendly food can cause chips or cracks.
Bruxism (teeth grinding): Habitually grinding or clenching your teeth can put excessive pressure on them, leading to chips or cracks over time.
Repairing chips or cracks
The severity of the tooth damage determines the best course of action.
Minor chips: If the chip is small and doesn’t involve any deeper cracks, dental bonding is a great option. This technique uses a tooth-coloured composite resin that’s meticulously applied to the chipped area. The dentist sculpts the resin to perfectly match the shape and size of the surrounding tooth. Once hardened with a special light, the bonding creates a seamless repair that blends in beautifully with your natural smile.
Larger cracks: For more extensive cracks, especially those that extend towards the root or cause pain, a dental crown becomes necessary. A crown acts like a protective cap that completely encases the damaged tooth. It provides reinforcement and prevents further breakage while restoring functionality and aesthetics. The dentist will likely need to remove a small amount of enamel to ensure a proper fit for the crown, which is typically made from durable porcelain or ceramic.
Worn teeth
Our teeth are designed to withstand a lot of chewing pressure, but over time, various factors can wear them down. Here’s a breakdown of the culprits:
Grinding and clenching (Bruxism): This involuntary habit, often caused by stress or sleep disorders, can cause teeth to rub against each other excessively, leading to wear on the chewing surfaces.
Improper brushing technique: Brushing too hard or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down tooth enamel over time. The focus should be on removing plaque, not scrubbing the teeth themselves.
Acidic foods and drinks: Highly acidic foods and drinks, like sugary sodas, citrus fruits and sports drinks, can erode tooth enamel. This weakens the protective outer layer, making teeth more susceptible to wear.
Repairing worn teeth
The best course of repair for worn teeth will depend on the severity of the damage and the location of the affected teeth. Here are some options:
Dental veneers: Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front surface of the tooth. They are a good option for minor to moderate wear, especially if you are concerned about their aesthetics. Veneers offer a more durable and stain-resistant solution compared to bonding.
Crowns: For severe wear, especially when the structure of the tooth is significantly compromised, crowns offer the most durable solution. A crown is a cap that encases the entire tooth, restoring its strength, shape and size. Crowns are typically made of porcelain or ceramic and provide excellent long-term protection for heavily worn teeth.
Night guards (Splints): While not a repair method itself, night guards can be used to prevent further wear from grinding or clenching. These custom-made mouthpieces are worn at night to create a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from grinding together and causing additional damage.
Missing teeth
Losing teeth can happen for various reasons, including severe tooth decay, gum disease (periodontitis) or injuries. Beyond the obvious aesthetic impact, missing teeth can degrade your well-being. Chewing often becomes more difficult, which affects your ability to properly break down food for digestion. This can lead to digestive issues and even nutritional deficiencies over time.
Leaving the remaining teeth to pick up the chewing workload can cause uneven or excessive wear on them. If you end up chewing only on one side of your mouth to avoid using the gapped side, you risk muscle tightness and even atrophy of the bone and muscle on the disused side. Additionally, the gap left by missing teeth can cause your remaining teeth to shift, leading to misalignment and potential bite problems. This misalignment can put extra stress on your jaw joint, potentially causing pain and headaches.
Replacing missing teeth
Modern dentistry offers several solutions to replace missing teeth and restore function and aesthetics for your unique situation. Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:
Dental implants: Considered the gold standard for replacing missing teeth, implants are surgically placed titanium posts that mimic tooth roots. These posts fuse with your jawbone, providing a stable foundation for a crown (artificial tooth). Implants offer the closest feel and function to natural teeth and can potentially last a lifetime with proper care.
Dental bridges: Bridges are fixed restorations that literally bridge the gap between missing teeth. They consist of artificial teeth attached to crowns placed on the healthy teeth flanking the gap. While bridges are a good option for replacing one or a few missing teeth, they require altering the healthy teeth for support. This can potentially shorten their lifespan and increase the risk of future issues with the supporting teeth.
Dentures: Dentures are removable replacements for a full arch of missing teeth (upper or lower jaw, or both). They are typically made of acrylic resin and can be full or partial dentures depending on the number of teeth missing. Dentures offer a more affordable solution compared to implants, but they may not provide the same level of comfort and stability. Some people experience difficulty chewing or speaking with dentures, and they require regular adjustments and cleaning.
Infected tooth
When tooth decay breaches the hard outer enamel and reaches the inner pulp, it can cause a world of trouble. The pulp is the living tissue inside your tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels. This infection can be quite painful and lead to inflammation, swelling and even an abscess (a pus-filled pocket at the root of the tooth).
Saving infected tooth
A root canal is needed when an infection infiltrates the tooth’s pulp, essentially giving your tooth a deep clean. To achieve this, your dentist will first numb the area for comfort. Then, a small opening is made on the top to access the infected pulp, which is meticulously removed along with nerves and blood vessels.
The tiny canals within the tooth are then thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to eliminate any lingering bacteria. Finally, the canals are filled with a special material to prevent future infection, and the opening is sealed with a filling or core buildup. Often, a crown is placed on the tooth for additional strength and protection, especially if significant decay has weakened the tooth structure.
Protect your smile, prevent tooth damage
Naturally, the best course of action to approach the issue of tooth damage is always prevention. Here are some tips to keep your teeth strong and healthy:
- Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between teeth.
- Maintain a balanced diet and limit sugary drinks.
- Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings every 6 months.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports activities to protect your teeth from injury.
Visit your dentist regularly to avoid serious tooth damage
Now that you know the different types of tooth damage and repair options available, you are empowered to make informed choices about your oral health. The number one thing to remember is staying proactive can prevent trouble from developing. That means maintaining a comprehensive oral health routine, including seeing your dentist regularly.
It is never too late to see your dentist, but it is also never too early! The beauty of regular checkups is they let your dentist spot signs of trouble before you feel any symptoms, and they find great satisfaction nipping any issues in the bud. If you have begun to notice tooth damage, get in touch with your dentist right away. Get your concerns checked as early as you can, because this can prevent further problems and keep your smile healthy.
Discomfort, sensitivity or visible damage are real concerns, but it is never too late to invest in restoring your tooth to its full beauty and functionality. Find out what type of restoration is best for you by reaching out to your dentist. They can address your concerns and recommend personalised treatment solutions to get you back on track. Optimise oral health today!
