It’s important to catch tooth decay early, so the tooth can be saved. Minimal decay can often be repaired. But delaying treatment may cause extensive decay to your teeth – requiring an extraction.
At Aponia Dental, your Edmonton dentist will recommend treatment based on how severely your teeth have been damaged by the decay. We believe in working with our patients on their oral care, so we will always discuss your options with you before proceeding with treatment.
If plaque has dissolved the enamel of your tooth — making a tiny cavity — the solution is often as easy as a filling. We can remove the decayed portion of your tooth, and fill the space with metal, acrylic or porcelain.
If your tooth already contains several fillings — or has a large amount of decay — we may suggest a crown. This encircles (or “caps”) your tooth, protecting it and keeping it strong. Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain fused to metal, or pure white porcelain (to resemble a natural tooth).
You could require a root canal if tooth decay progresses and damages the nerve of your tooth. Your Edmonton dentist can remove the damaged nerve and fill the space with new material — allowing you to keep your natural tooth. Since the tooth no longer has a nerve to provide its blood supply, we may place a crown over your tooth to prevent it from chipping or cracking easily.
If your tooth is badly decayed, we could recommend removing the infected tooth and giving you a bridge. We’ll reduce the size of the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth, so the bridge can use these teeth as supports for an artificial tooth in the middle.
A badly-decayed tooth often needs to be removed, and a good solution is putting a dental implant in its place. A titanium implant is placed in the bone, and a new crown is placed on the implant. Dental implants do not affect adjacent teeth, and are considered to be the closest solution to having a strong, healthy natural tooth. They allow you to smile, speak and eat with comfort and confidence.
Q: How many appointments do I need for a crown restoration?
A: At Aponia Dental, two appointments are required for a crown restoration. During the first appointment, we prepare your tooth, and take an impression for the dental lab. During your second appointment, we attach your brand-new custom crown.
Q: Do dental restorations last forever?
A: Unfortunately, nothing in the dental world can be guaranteed forever. The life of your dental restoration depends on many factors — such as regular dental care, your brushing and flossing habits, and your diet. It's different for every patient, but it is likely that future restorations will be required at some point.
Q: I’m missing a tooth, but it’s towards the back and you can’t even notice. What will happen if don’t do anything about my missing tooth?
A: When you are missing a tooth (or multiple teeth), the adjacent teeth will shift in an attempt to fill the gap, and your jawbone may begin to break down. This can change the shape of your mouth over time causing your skin to shift — making you appear older. It also allows food and bacteria to become trapped more easily, leading to further decay.
One solution is a bridge. It will use the adjacent teeth as supports for an artificial tooth in the middle. Another option is a dental implant. That’s a titanium screw that takes the place of a natural tooth root, and prevents your jawbone from breaking down.
Talk to Aponia Dental today about a bridge or a dental implant to replace your missing tooth.
Q: Does my dental insurance cover all of my options — a filling, a crown, a root canal, a bridge, or a dental implant?
A: It depends on your coverage. The front office staff of Aponia Dental would be happy to help you understand your available coverage, so call us today.
