Nicholas Papapetros Explains How to Fix That Smile in a Flash

ANDOVER, Mass. - Sept. 16, 2014 - PRLog -- It can happen in an instant. A bump to the face, an athletic injury, a fall … and suddenly, a chip or crack in a tooth or teeth can alter your smile.

But all is not lost. Once upon a time, damaged teeth meant a permanent change to a person’s smile. Fortunately, modern dentistry has plenty of relatively simple solutions designed to fix dental injuries that result in smile-changing blemishes like chips, cracks, and even missing teeth.

Recently, I wrote about some recent advances in cosmetic dentistry. Dentists these days can whiten, straighten, and shape your teeth so that you are comfortable when you flash your smile. They can also repair damage.

I would be remiss if I didn’t first remind my patients that the best defense against oral injuries when playing sports is the use of helmets, mouth guards, and other safety gear designed to protect the mouth and face. But even with the proper precautions, accidents can always happen.

When teeth get chipped or cracked, not only are they altered in appearance, but depending on the severity of the damage, they can become more susceptible to decay and infections. To avoid future problems, it’s important to have the damage repaired as soon as possible, so you should make an appointment with your dentist to assess and discuss a solution.

Depending on the nature of the damage, your dentist might choose a solution that involves dental bonding, caps, veneers, fixed bridges, and even implants. Most of today’s solutions result in a tooth surface that is indistinguishable from that of normal teeth. Here’s an overview of some common processes used in the repair of damaged teeth:

Dental Bonding. The dental bonding process involves the application of “tooth-colored” resin material that is hardened with a special light. This material bonds directly to a tooth’s surface and can is often used to fill cavities, but can also even out chipped teeth.

Caps. Dental caps, or crowns, are a type of restoration placed directly over a tooth’s surface and then cemented into place. Although in the past, they were often constructed of a metal alloy, for the sake of aesthetics, many of today’s crowns are made of porcelain and have a more natural appearance. Caps are used when a tooth’s integrity is severely compromised and can’t be repaired using bonding alone.

Veneers. Like caps, veneers are laminate shells that adhere directly to the surface of teeth. Veneers can be made of either resin or porcelain; each has its advantages and drawbacks. Your dentist can help you decide which type of veneer is best for you.

Fixed Bridges. A dental bridge is used as a replacement for missing teeth. Such bridges are termed “fixed” because they are not removable like dentures. Using crowns that fit over the teeth on each side of the dental gap to anchor the bridge, your dentist will fit a structure into the existing gap to replace the lost teeth, resulting in a seamless smile.

Dental Implants. Following tooth loss, dental implants are also an option. Implants are replacement tooth roots, usually in the form of titanium screws, that are fixed into the jaw and serve as anchors for crowns fashioned from “tooth-colored” material. The resulting “tooth” is virtually indistinguishable from surrounding teeth.

If you’ve suffered an injury resulting in damage to a tooth or teeth, consult your dentist to learn what your options are. Chances are, you’ll be on your way to a healthy, natural-looking smile in no time.