Dental Esthetics – FAQs About Removing or Restoring a Tooth

Dental esthetics is the art and science of restoring your smile. It can close gaps and make teeth more uniform in size. Orthodontic methods move teeth into alignment, especially if a tooth is missing. Dental esthetics also addresses a discolored tooth that does not match the rest. You may be wondering if dental esthetics is for you. Here are some frequently asked questions about removing or restoring a tooth with dental esthetics.

What can a damaged tooth cause?

A damaged or missing tooth can change how a person looks in a big way. A damaged tooth does not only look bad, but it can be painful and cause chewing and bite problems. A missing tooth leaves a very noticeable space in the mouth. Other teeth can move into the space, and it can also cause the jawbone to change.

Are there many options available with dental esthetics?

A great way to replace a missing tooth is with a dental implant. The dentist fixes a metal post in the jaw and attaches a cap. The cap is the same color and similar in size to the surrounding teeth. Dental implants work best in people who have a healthy jawbone and gums. A dental implant can last many years, and many people forget it is not a real tooth.

Dentists can also install full or partial dentures. If a patient has only a few teeth or none at all, the dentist will construct a full set of dentures. Patients who still have some healthy teeth can get partial dentures. These are the same color and size as the existing teeth for a natural look.

When a tooth is missing, the gap can be very noticeable, and the surrounding teeth may shift out of place. A bridge fills the gap and helps to keep teeth from moving. The dentist will place crowns on the teeth on either side of the gap. The bridge attaches to these crowns. There are several types of bridges, depending on the patient’s needs. The dentist uses cement to fix the bridge in place for a long-term solution.

Is it better to repair or remove a tooth?

Whenever possible, dental esthetics will try to repair a damaged tooth. Some people chip or break their teeth. Others may have some tooth decay. The dentist can attach a crown to a broken or chipped tooth to restore the look of a whole tooth. If there is a cavity, dentists can place fillings that are the same color as the teeth, making them virtually invisible.

The dentist cannot repair some teeth. The tooth may not respond to treatments to remove the infection. In this case, the dentist will extract the tooth. Then the dentist and patient can decide if an implant or other cosmetic option is more appropriate. This decision will depend on the oral health of the patient.