Can Cosmetic Dentistry Fix Dental Health Issues?

The answer is yes; cosmetic dentistry can fix dental health issues. It’s critical to repair damaged teeth or replace missing teeth.

The Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth

Did you know that when you have a gap in your smile from a missing tooth, it affects your oral health and physical appearance? That’s right. When a tooth moves from its original position, your remaining teeth will shift out of place in their attempt to close the gap. And when this happens, spacing issues create perfect environments for food to become trapped and bacteria to develop. It leads to discomfort from trapped food and increases the risk of gum disease.

Additionally, when teeth are lost and not replaced (either with a dental implant, a dental bridge, or a partial denture), there will be changes in your facial structure. It happens naturally over time as your facial muscles adapt to not holding the tooth (or teeth) in place and begin to sag. And when the sagging occurs, it leads to aesthetic concerns such as premature aging.

Another consequence of not replacing missing teeth is bone loss. This is also problematic for the same reason as it causes changes in your facial appearance and bites function. If you ever decide to replace your missing tooth with a dental implant, the bone loss over time could prevent the procedure from being successful or require a bone graft for it to be successful.

Repair Worn Down, Decayed or Broken Teeth with a Dental Crown

You can correct other dental health issues with cosmetic dentistry. Using a dental crown to fix issues is ideal for worsening conditions.

If your tooth wears down, you cannot chew food as quickly as possible with a fully functional tooth. This can lead to complications in indigestion, possible choking, and an increased risk of infection. A dental crown will be better if your tooth is too decayed to correct with a dental filling.

This procedure allows you to retain the benefits of your natural tooth without the previously mentioned concerns about tooth loss. If you have a broken tooth, a crown (sometimes called a dental cap) can be used to restore the appearance and function of the broken tooth. It’s essential to seek treatment for a broken tooth sooner rather than later. An untreated broken tooth creates a chasm for bacteria to enter the softer layer of tissue under the enamel. And this leads to further infection and potential tooth loss.

There are several materials available for dental crowns. All-porcelain dental crowns are the most desirable material since they most closely resemble the appearance of a natural tooth. Consult with your dentist to determine which material is right for your specific issue.

Other Cosmetic Dental Treatments to Consider

There are a few other cosmetic dental treatments you may wish to consider. Although they do not directly correlate to your dental health, they can beincorporated into any smile design or makeover. Teeth whitening is probably the most popular, followed by Invisalign®. Invisalign aligners are most often associated with the correction of spacing and aesthetics but can also be used to correct jaw alignment.

For more information on cosmetic dentistry, contact Concord Woods Dental Group today!