If you’d like to straighten your smile you may want to consider porcelain veneers as an option. A cosmetic dentist can use porcelain veneers to correct minor misalignments of the teeth in cases when braces may not be necessary. Choosing veneers can save you the time and discomfort often associated with wearing traditional braces.

Veneers often are used to fill in gaps between teeth, and they can add length or width to a tooth that is noticeably lacking in those dimensions. Porcelain veneers can be placed atop multiple teeth to smooth out uneven stretches of the smile that include teeth that either recede or protrude from the others. Porcelain veneers can be designed to match the natural shade of your teeth, so they won’t stand out when incorporated into your smile.

Before placing the veneers, your cosmetic dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from your teeth, and that layer will be replaced by the porcelain that is bonded to the natural tooth material. With technological advances, veneers are getting thinner and thinner, meaning that more of the natural tooth can be preserved.

It’s important to remember that veneers can only be used to remedy minor issues. If your teeth are significantly crooked, veneers alone might not be an option for straightening them. Check with a cosmetic dentist in Dallas to see if veneers will work for you.

Restorative dentistry is the art and science of diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases in the mouth aimed at restoring the function and aesthetics of the teeth and supporting tissues. Restorative dentistry is an amalgamation of various other specialties, including conservative dentistry and endodontics (root canals), periodontics (gum specialty), fixed and removable prosthodontics (replacement of lost teeth) and dental implantology.

In some countries, restorative dentistry is considered a specialty of its own and dentists receive additional training in this field. In most countries, restorative dentistry is also practiced by a team of dental specialists from various other specialties. Your restorative dentist must be an expert in all the different disciplines that make up restorative dentistry, but he should be able to integrate the knowledge in a seamless and sensible manner. There is considerable interactivity between the different specialties and the treatment planning can become highly complex, testing the diagnostic and clinical skill of your restorative dentist. Preventing damage to the teeth also comes under the umbrella of restorative dentistry; your dentist has to be able to teach you to maintain your oral hygiene and prevent future damage.

What are the common reasons for restoring teeth?

• Dental decay
• Fractured tooth
• Dental abrasion
• Misaligned teeth
• Closing gaps
• To improve the aesthetics of teeth

How does the dentist restore decayed teeth?

Dentists have been using dental amalgam or silver amalgam for over 100 years. Even today, most developing countries still use dental amalgam due the low cost and durability. Your Dallas cosmetic dentist uses dental composites and glass ionomer cements to restore teeth for patients who need a more aesthetic option for restoring their teeth. More extensive decays can be restored with onlays and inlays.

• The dentist will first diagnose the type of dental decay. He will determine the extent of decay with the help of a dental explorer and mouth mirror.
• He will proceed to take x-rays to determine the extent of decay within the tooth.
• Pulp vitality tests will be conducted to rule out inflammation of the pulp. If the pulp test elicits no response, the tooth is dead. The tooth will need a root canal.
• The dentist will use the dental drill to remove a major portion of the decay.
• He will remove the remaining decay with help of a slow-speed drill or hand instrument.
• He will then proceed to include retentive features and finish the margins to ensure a perfect fit for the filling.
• The extent of tooth preparation will depend on the type of filling. A dental amalgam will require ore tooth preparation than dental composites or cements.
• If the decay is extremely deep, the dentist will place a dressing made of calcium hydroxide.
• A base of dental cement is placed to protect the pulp from sudden thermal and electric changes that can affect the pulp adversely. If dental composites or cements are used as restoration material, a base is usually not placed.
• A band is placed to support the filling if the decay has extended into the margins of the tooth.
• The cavity is filled incrementally with the restorative material.
• High points in the filling is marked out with articulation paper and reduced to proper height.