There are many different degrees of tooth decay that can be restored by an expert dentist. There are so many different options available to ensure your dental health is restored and the appearance of your smile is its best. When you visit our Little Rock cosmetic dentistry practice, we’ll be able to discuss all of your options in more detail. Right now, we’d like to look at some of the basic options for dental restoration in brief.
Types of Standard Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are used to address cavities (dental caries) and minor amounts of tooth decay. They come in two types: metal and composite. Metal fillings are the types that were commonly used in the past. Composite fillings are used more often these days and blend in with the color of your teeth.
Metal Fillings vs. Composite Fillings
Our cosmetic dentist in Little Rock prefers to use composite fillings rather than metal fillings. There are two reasons for this that go beyond mere cosmetics. First of all, metal fillings can sometimes expand slightly in size in extreme heat and shrink slightly in size in extreme cold. Second, and most importantly, some metal fillings have been known to contain trace amounts of mercury, which is highly toxic. Composite fillings just make more sense from an aesthetic and health standpoint.
Inlays and Onlays
Sometimes dental fillings are not enough to restore the overall structure and appearance of a tooth. This is particularly true when it comes to more substantial tooth decay. For such situations, it’s important to consider getting inlays and onlays. Inlays and onlays are like dental fillings, but they’re used to restore a more substantial amount of tooth structure, like the cusps (biting surfaces).
Dental Crowns
For major tooth decay and tooth damage, another option needs to be considered rather than inlays and onalys. That option is Little Rock dental crowns. Dental crowns are caps that fit right over a damaged tooth. Once the tooth is prepped, the dental crown will protect the tooth from further damage or decay and reduce any discomfort or sensitivity a patient may have felt due to the damaged tooth.
Porcelain Dental Veneers
Sometimes there is only minor damage on a tooth which is primarily cosmetic in nature. In those cases, rather than use a filling, an inlay, an onlay, or a dental crown, porcelain dental veneers are a much better option. Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic used to mask imperfections on the front facing part of a tooth, including chips, cracks, stains, and minor misalignments.
Determining the Best Option for You
When you come in for a visit, we’ll be sure to perform a comprehensive examination and evaluate which option may be best for you and your needs. Ideally we’ll want to be as conservative as possible in order to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
Schedule a Consultation for Dental Restoration at Our Practice
If you would like more information about dental fillings as well as your many other options for dental restorations, it’s important that you contact our Little Rock cosmetic dentistry practice today. The entire team looks forward to your visit and discussing your many options for optimal care.