There are various natural teeth benefits that make it worth the effort to save them when dental issues arise. For example, when a person is dealing with persistent pain caused by an infection, it can be tempting to have it extracted and replaced with an implant.
While dental prosthetics like implants look and function just like real teeth, the reality is that these devices are nowhere as strong as natural teeth. Real teeth are the strongest part of the human body, and they can withstand tremendous bite pressures and forces. Materials false teeth are made from like ceramics and porcelain cannot compare to the durability of natural teeth that can last a lifetime when properly maintained. Regardless of how badly damaged a tooth is from tooth decay, there are a host of options that can be used to save it.
Natural teeth benefits to know
Saving a real tooth allows the patient to enjoy natural teeth benefits. Natural teeth help to maintain the appearance of structures of the mouth and jaw. It also makes simple tasks like chewing and speaking easier.
While implants can be used to replace missing teeth, the device will not fill up the hole created by the tooth that is missing the same way a natural tooth would. Having spaces between teeth can lead to other dental issues like teeth misalignment and bone tissues loss. While implants help to address this problem, other dental prosthetics like dentures and bridges do not.
Real teeth also contain nerves that send vital information to the brain. It tells the brain how hard the food should be chewed, and it reduces the possibility of biting down too hard.
Saving a natural tooth
When it comes to natural teeth that have been badly damaged, a root canal treatment is a go-to option. When tooth decay gets past the enamel of a tooth, it makes its way into the inner layers like the dentin and eventually into the pulp chamber. This often leads to an infection and lots of persistent toothaches.
During a root canal, the dentist will drill a hole into the patient's mouth and remove the infected pulp and nerves from the tooth. Medication is then applied to kill off any bacteria left in the pulp chamber. Finally, the tooth is sealed with a special sealant, and a crown is used to protect the tooth from further damage. While root canals have a bad reputation as painful treatments, there is little to no pain involved with it.
Fillings and composite resins are often used to deal with the earlier stages of tooth decay. Crowns are also used to protect teeth that have been damaged due to trauma. This helps to protect the weakened tooth from further damage and the bite forces that occur when eating.
Dealing with a damaged tooth that needs to be restored. Schedule a consultation with one of our dentists and explore the options.
What are you waiting for?
Request a dental appointment here: https://www.implantdentalbellevue.com or call Bellevue Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry at (425) 249-9186 for an appointment in our Bellevue dental office.