While one’s childhood is filled with many visits to the pediatrician and dentist to check on growth rates, those visits to the dentist don’t stop when you turn 18. While cavities and braces are mostly relegated to children and teenagers, there are several common dental procedures that adults can anticipate going through in order to ensure optimal dental health.
One of the most common dental procedures for children and adults alike is the repair of cavities, as well as the replacement of cracked, broken, or missing fillings. While fillings are designed to be long-lasting and durable, years of constant wear and tear from talking, chewing, and the powerful enzymes found in saliva can cause older fillings to break down. Repairing or replacing worn-out fillings is a must for keeping teeth in good health. Today’s fillings are made out of resin that is tinted to match the color of teeth, and the procedure for replacing a filling is quick and relatively painless.
Endodontic treatments such as root canals can be a common side effect of a lost filling, or they may simply be necessary due to other tooth trauma that cannot be repaired with a traditional filling. A root canal involves removing the pulp and nerves from the center and bottom of the tooth, and then filling the open area with special permanent fillings, then topping the sealed-up tooth with a special crown. Depending on your dentist’s abilities, endodontic treatments may be performed in the office; or you may be referred to another dentist, Park Plaza Dental Specialties for example.
Dental crowns go hand in hand with root canals, but may also be used on their own to repair and protect teeth that have cracked or chipped. Crowns and caps are placed on top of the tooth, and are custom-fit to teeth to ensure a perfect fit over any damaged areas. Crowns are made out of metal, porcelain, and resin, and may be colored to match teeth.
Bridges are another common dental device used to protect damaged teeth. They are similar to crowns, except that they rely on the presence of adjacent teeth to stay in place. A bridge holds down a false tooth or partial false tooth over an empty socket or damaged tooth, and is secured in place via crowns that are placed on the surrounding teeth. An implant may be used to replace a missing tooth, and is often used in conjunction with a bridge.
Finally there is the dreaded extraction, which is actually a quick procedure that can cost less in money and discomfort than other procedures. Your dentist will do everything possible to save a damaged tooth, but sometimes a tooth is beyond salvaging. If this is the case, an extraction will be performed.
