What do you do when you injure a tooth? We recommend calling the dentist no matter how insignificant the damage may appear. That’s because any harm that breaks the protective seal of a tooth’s enamel can increase your risk for decay or infection. Waiting to call the dentist until you experience further pain may indicate that a cavity has been growing much larger than it needs. By taking a digital X-ray of your smile, we can determine if you require a restoration to return the protection of your tooth’s outer layer. Minor chips and scrapes may be best treated with a dental bonding procedure. This treatment places layers of composite resin over the injury to return the tooth’s original shape. This versatile method can also return the bright, white appearance of a tooth that is resistant to a professional whitening treatment. Composite resin is the same material used to create dental fillings and crowns that provide a lifelike appearance by blending in naturally with your smile. Because resin bonds instantly to your tooth, you can return immediately to work or school following your appointment. Enjoy food and drink as soon as your treatment is complete!
At your Ankeny, IA dental practice, we ask patients to visit twice per year to receive a preventive cleaning and examine their smile for any sudden changes in its appearance. By attending appointments regularly, we create a dental record that helps identify when you have decay or other threats that harm your oral health. Each checkup provides the opportunity to provide immediate treatment to remove cavities or plan a more involved procedure such as the placement of a dental crown.
The Benefit Of A Dental Filling
Depending on the size and scope of a dental cavity, we may recommend placing a composite resin filling to restore the seal of your tooth’s outer layer. While removing decaying material is necessary to treat your cavity, the damage done leaves the tooth open to reinfection. By inserting a filling, the resin bonds instantly to your enamel to stop bacteria from accessing the sensitive inner portion of your tooth.
Composite Resin Forms Dental Bonds
Dental bonding offers cosmetic and restorative benefits by “building up” tooth structure lost to decay, physical wear, or defective appearance. For patients seeking a more uniform smile, we could include bonding in a comprehensive smile makeover that includes other treatments. This solution may be all that is required to repair minor scrapes that do not require a more involved restorative solution.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA, Dentist About Repairing Your Problem Tooth
If you would like to learn more about how we can fix teeth using composite resin or any other of the procedures we provide at our practice, please contact your Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office at (515) 207-6182 to schedule a visit.
