Tooth enamel isn’t living tissue, so it can’t regenerate itself if damaged. However, some treatments can help rehydrate eroded tooth enamel and repair the damage.
To prevent tooth erosion, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid rubbing your teeth too hard. You should also drink water and chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is an excellent option for tooth enamel repair and can also be used to fix other dental problems. It is a safe treatment with minimal risks and side effects. In addition to its effectiveness, teeth bonding is relatively inexpensive compared to other tooth restoration options.
Unlike dental veneers and crowns, which require removing a portion of the tooth, dental bonding does not involve drilling or anesthesia. It is a quick procedure, typically taking between 30 minutes and an hour per tooth.
After examining your teeth, the dentist will use a shade guide to pick a resin color that closely matches your natural teeth. They will then roughen the surface of the tooth and apply a conditioning liquid to prepare it for the composite resin. The resin is then applied, molded, and shaped before hardening with a light.
Although the most common application for dental bonding is filling in chips, it can also be used to change the shape of a tooth or even reshape your smile without the need for veneers. With proper care, cosmetic bonds can last up to ten years.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are a cosmetic remedy for patients who want to fix issues with the appearance of their smiles. The procedure involves covering the front of a tooth with a thin porcelain shell, which conceals imperfections like discoloration and chipping. It can also address gaps, which allow bacteria to gather along the gumline and inhibit proper function.
Porcelain veneers are the classic standard, but new materials have emerged that are durable and more stain resistant. During the first appointment, a dentist will numb the tooth and remove a small portion of its surface, which creates an impression to be sent to a lab for fabrication. When the veneers are ready, a patient will return to have them placed and checked for fit, shape, and color before cementing them permanently.
Alternatively, a dentist can use composite resin to directly sculpt the veneers. These are typically completed in one appointment, which makes them less invasive than traditional porcelain. During the process, the dentist will make sure the gums are healthy and free of gingivitis, which can interfere with the compression process when applying the veneers.
Dental Crowns
If your tooth enamel has been severely chipped or damaged, we may recommend treatment with a dental crown. These fixtures resemble ceramic caps that fit over the affected tooth and are cementated in place to improve its health and appearance.
Crowns protect the vulnerable inner structure of a tooth from bacteria that could eat away at it and invite a root canal. They can also be used as a preventive measure to help keep cavities at bay.
There are different types of crowns available to patients depending on their preferences. Typically, ceramic crowns (referred to as porcelain) are the most aesthetic, however they can be less durable and have trouble matching the shade of your natural teeth.
Another type of crown is the metal one, which is made from a combination of base and noble alloys such as gold or nickel. These crowns are more durable than the ceramic ones and are more resistant to biting and chewing forces. This makes them more suitable for molars. However, they do tend to have a more metallic color that can make them more noticeable in the mouth.
Root Canal Therapy
A root canal (endodontic treatment) is required when the nerve and pulp of a tooth become irritated, inflamed or infected. This can happen as a result of deep decay; repeated dental procedures on a tooth; faulty crowns; cracks or chips in the tooth; or trauma to the face. When left untreated, this can cause severe pain and swelling of the tissue surrounding the tooth or an abscess.
A dentist will numb the tooth and place a protective sheet around it, preventing saliva from interfering with the procedure. An opening will be made in the crown of the tooth, allowing the dentist to access the pulp chamber and root canals. The dentist will remove the damaged tissues, clean and shape the inside of the canals, and fill them with a sterile solution.
A root canal procedure can cause some pain afterward, but this will usually go away within a few days and is manageable with over-the-counter analgesics. The treated tooth may be more brittle than before, but it should last for a long time, especially with proper oral hygiene and regular checkups.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth bleaching, also called teeth bleaching or whitening, is a procedure used to remove unsightly stains and whiten the natural tooth color. It can be done by your dentist or at home using a dental whitening kit.
A whitening product, typically peroxide-based gels or rinses, is applied directly to the tooth surface. The whitening treatment, as directed by the manufacturer, usually involves 30 to 60 minutes of twice daily applications for 14 days. A single treatment can lighten the teeth by one or two shades.
Bleaching techniques can reduce the color of teeth that are yellow, orange, brown or gray due to staining from coffee or tobacco, trauma or injury to the tooth, ingestion of the antibiotic tetracycline during childhood, root canal therapy, and corrosion from silver fillings. However, bleaching will not whiten the dentin under the enamel.
Whitening is not permanent and will only last a few months to 3 years, varying from person to person. The longevity of the results can be increased by practicing a rigorous oral care regimen, refraining from brightly colored foods and drinks, and utilizing over-the-counter touch-up products.