It is not uncommon for people to suffer trauma in the mouth either as a result of accident or neglect. Regardless of the reason, the first priority of the dentist should be to do whatever is possible to preserve as many of the natural teeth as possible. Of course, in some instances, this will not be possible, either as the result of excessive decay, extreme injury, or danger of spreading infection. However, dentists do have several tricks up their sleeves now-a-days that make it much easier to maintain mouth health and preserve the damaged tooth.
Dental Sealants
Even before the damage occurs, there are methods that can be used to protect susceptible teeth from decay. If a tooth seems to be developing a soft spot, has more built up plaque than others, or shows other signs of potential problems in the future, the dentist will likely suggest the use of sealant. In many case, this protective coating is used on the permanent teeth of young children shortly after they have grown in, but it is being used for adults as well.Fillings Among the most common of the dentistry procedures, the filling is the use of a permanent or semi-permanent substance to coat and protect the hollow space left after the decayed area of a cavity is drilled away. While teeth with fillings can still experience further cavities in the future, this is a means of stopping the existing bacteria and plaque from eating more of the tooth away.
Inlays and Onlays
Ideal for mild to moderate tooth decay, inlays, which are place in the center of the tooth, and onlays, which adhere to the outer surface of the tooth, can be wonderful alternatives to fillings. They can provide a more cosmetically appealing surface for the tooth, are easy to clean and protect the tooth from further decay. They are especially useful for tight spaces between teeth or on the exposed surface and front teeth.
Crowns
When decay has been allowed to continue deteriorating the tooth, or a second cavity is formed in a tooth already bearing a filling, the tooth can become too weak to be self-sustaining. In cases like these, and also in cases of injury, there may be a need for a crown. They can also be used in cosmetic applications and can be made of several different substances, such as gold alloy porcelain, or resin. Their purpose is just to protect the tooth and provide needed support.Root Canal When it isn't the outer tooth, but instead the interior that is causing the problems, there is often a need for root canal. Technically the root damage is typically the result of excessive decay to the outer layers, which allows the bacteria to reach and infect the inner tissue. A root canal can remove that tissue, called the pulp, but leave the tooth intact. This prevents the spread of the infection, without the need for extraction.
