If you have a damaged tooth because of tooth decay, you need to see your dentist as soon as you can. If you do not, the problem will only become much worse and you could end up losing the tooth. Fortunately, your dentist has different methods they can use to restore your tooth back to normal, two of which are listed below.

Dental Fillings

If the tooth is not very decayed, the dentist will likely use a filling to restore it. This is a simple procedure and you would only need one visit. The dentist will first numb the area with an anesthetic. Once you are completely numb, the dentist will use an instrument to remove the decay from the tooth. This instrument could be a drill, laser, or an air abrasion instrument. Once the decay is removed, the dentist will clean the space then put in your filling. They will polish the filling to try to make it match with your other teeth.

Dental Crowns

If your tooth decay is very bad, your tooth is likely very fragile and ready to break apart. If this has happened, the dentist will put a dental crown over the tooth to hold it together. If your tooth has already broken, the dentist can still use a crown to support your tooth. The crown will look like your other teeth so you will not even to tell that it is there. In some cases, the dentist will use a crown along with a dental implant. The crown is needed to cover the dental implant to hold it in place.  Before the dentist puts the crown over your tooth, they will remove the decay. An impression will be made of your natural tooth and the doctors sends that impression to a dental lab. They will make the crown so that it matches your tooth. The dentist will then cement the crown onto your tooth.

Crowns are very durable and they generally last from five to 15 years. The average cost of a dental crown is $600 to $1500 per tooth. What your dentist will charge you depends on the materials that were used, as well as the condition, location, and size of your tooth. Your dental insurance plan may cover part of this cost if the crown was medically necessary.

Your dentist, like Ideal Dentistry, can go over these two procedures with you in detail so you will know how they work.

Share