Here are some of the most prevalent dental problems people face, and the typical treatments dentists use to address them.
● Tooth Decay
Tooth decay, also known as cavities, is probably the number one dental problem. It happens when plaque builds up on your teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. It produces acids as it breaks down food particles. If you don’t brush and floss regularly to remove plaque, these acids can dissolve enamel and damage the inner layers of the tooth.
The typical treatment for cavities is a filling. Your dentist will numb the area and then drill out any remaining decay. They’ll clean and shape the cavity before placing a filling material like silver amalgam or tooth-coloured composite resin. These materials harden to seal off the cavity and rebuild the tooth structure.
● Gum Disease
When plaque isn’t removed from below the gumline, it can harden into tartar. This leads to inflammation and infection of the gums, otherwise known as gingivitis. Left unaddressed, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis – a severe form of gum disease where the gums recede and bone supporting the teeth is lost.
The gold standard treatment for gum disease is a deep cleaning by a dental hygienist. Antibacterial agents like antibiotics may be applied below the gumline as well. Daily at-home care is essential too – brushing twice a day and flossing once daily or using special gum disease products recommended by your dentist. Continual monitoring and maintenance cleanings are required to keep gums healthy in the long term.
● Cracked and Chipped Teeth
Small cracks or chips are often treated by bonding or veneers. For bonding, the tooth is etched to roughen the surface and help a tooth-coloured resin adhere. This builds back the missing enamel. Veneers involve placing very thin custom-made shells over the front of teeth for aesthetic improvement and protection of the cracks below.
For cracked teeth that pose a greater risk, root canal therapy may be recommended. The tooth nerve and inner pulp are removed to prevent infection while maintaining the tooth structure. Posts and crowns are then usually added for extra strength and a cosmetic facade. In situations where the crack is too extensive, extracting and replacing the cracked tooth may be prudent before bigger problems arise.
● Worn or Chipped Down Teeth
Some people gradually wear or grind their teeth down short over many years. This can create a pronounced curve on the front teeth or flat ‘pearly whites.’ Our molars are susceptible to chipping too, when they contact during biting. Both scenarios typically emerge from poor habits like tongue thrusting, teeth grinding, or excessively hard foods.
Dentists employ various options to restore worn teeth back to their original length and shape. Veneers are one choice, made to customize dimensions for the ideal tooth proportions. Some dentists do a reversible procedure called dental bonding to build teeth up in layers over time gradually. Composite fillings or crowns provide robust coverage and repair for cracked molars. In very progressed cases, crowns may need to be utilized on multiple teeth to improve both function and appearance safely. Maintaining night guards or bite splints can curb future wear if bad habits persist.
● Discoloured Teeth
The natural yellow or off-white hue of teeth is altered by common culprits like tetracycline usage as a baby, aging, smoking and excess coffee or soda intake over the years. Trauma also darkens teeth. Stains can range from mild to deep, deeply embedded ones. Bleaching sensitivity or staining may take place in some individuals after whitening.
At-home whitening systems, either tray-based or custom-fitted, use lower-strength carbamide or hydrogen peroxide gels to lighten teeth 2-6 shades. In-office zapping with powerful bleaching lamps boosts the effect of higher peroxide concentrations for faster results in one to three sessions. Veneers and crowns offer a more permanent solution if stains are too embedded to budge or multiple spots need to be matched uniformly. Preventing further staining aids the longevity of any whitening option chosen.
● Impacted Teeth
Wisdom teeth that don’t emerge properly or supernumerary teeth (extra teeth) can become trapped or misaligned under the gum tissue and bone – this is referred to as an impacted tooth. There is minimal room in people’s jaws as it is, so these extras often become problematic over time. Problems include infections, abscesses, cysts, pain, damage to adjacent teeth and limited proper oral hygiene.
The standard solution is surgical removal of the impacted or embedded tooth. Your oral surgeon will numb the area, make an incision inside the mouth and carefully extract the tooth. For very complicated extractions, the procedure may require cutting the tooth into sections for removal or even bone removal from the area with small drills. Post-operative discomfort is relieved with medications, ice, and rest. Recovery usually lasts a week before normal activities can resume. Preventing damage from leftover tooth fragments or bone spurs may entail follow-up minor procedures.
● Jaw Joint Disorders
Our jaw joints in the back can experience clicking, popping, locking or pain from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Common sources are teeth grinding, chewing gum excessively, accidents or surgery involving the face. Physiotherapy, like heat application, massage and exercises, teaches muscles to relax painful jaw clicking. Anti-inflammatory ibuprofen helps, too.
Customized mouth guards are worn at night curb teeth grinding at the source. Injections of corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma directly into inflamed joints alleviate discomfort. When conservative measures fail, a minor arthrocentesis procedure where fluid is drained from inflamed joints can provide relief. In rare cases, arthroscopic surgery inside the joint shaves away inflamed tissue. Botox injections to relax tight jaw muscles are another option when muscle spasms are the main trigger. Correcting contributing habits like chewing gum prevents recurrence.
● Broken and Missing Teeth
A fall, fight, or collision sporting mishap may crack, chip or fully fracture a tooth beyond repair. Teeth can also be lost to severe decay, gum disease or traumatic injury. The traditional fix involves placing a dental crown or bridge to cover the damaged area. Crowns totally cap a shattered tooth for support and aesthetics. Bridges span the gap between teeth when one is lost. Implants offer a more permanent solution to replace a missing single tooth or serve as anchors for a bridge.
Dental implants are small titanium posts surgically inserted into the jawbone where the roots of missing teeth would normally be. After healing, posts are topped with porcelain crowns indistinguishable from real teeth. While more expensive up front than bridges, implants do not rely on grinding down adjacent natural teeth like bridgework. Multiple adjacent missing teeth usually necessitate a hybrid treatment involving implants and a traditional bridge. All options work to preserve your natural bite and stop other teeth from shifting positions.
Invest in Your Dental Health with Clearwater Family Dental
With regular prevention and care, you can head off problems before they start and keep your mouth feeling fantastic for years! Clearwater Family Dental is ready to be part of your oral health journey. Whether you need a new dentist in Sarnia or require the services of a reputable emergency dentist Sarnia, we are one phone call away!
Contact us today to schedule your next appointment with our family dentist in Sarnia!
