General Dentistry Procedure to Strengthen Your Teeth

General Dentistry Procedure to Strengthen Your Teeth from Tinley Park Smiles & Implant Dentistry in Tinley Park, ILA general dentistry approach to strengthening teeth often begins with protecting each tooth's enamel and making a plan to cover it if it is extensively damaged. Signs of enamel problems may present in the early stages with sensitivity to cold or sweet foods. Often, if this important outer coating cannot be strengthened enough to prevent more serious problems, a dentist will recommend taking measures to artificially strengthen the teeth.

The importance of strengthening teeth in general dentistry practice

A layer of enamel protects the surface of each tooth from decay. Though enamel is strong and very durable, certain foods and drinks — as well as brushing too vigorously — can erode this layer over time. Unfortunately, this coating cannot be regenerated once it is gone. Signs and symptoms that your teeth are weakening due to a poorly functioning enamel layer are as follows:

  • Tooth sensitivity when eating hot, cold, and sugary foods
  • A change in tooth color or teeth becoming shinier than normal teeth
  • Rough-feeling teeth or those with indentations
  • Pain

Procedures general dentists use to strengthen teeth

While your dentist may recommend at-home measures to strengthen the enamel of weak teeth, such as special remineralizing toothpaste, often these products do not provide enough relief for patients with severe enamel loss. In this scenario, a dentist may recommend placing a crown, performing a bonding procedure, or using veneers to artificially strengthen the affected teeth.

If your dentist has informed you that your enamel has worn down and therefore weakened your teeth, you may be concerned that you will lose the teeth in question. Extraction is rarely the right solution here and is only reserved for teeth that cannot be saved by any other measure.

Dental bonding

Your general dentistry office may suggest bonding to repair weakened areas of your smile. During your appointment, a composite resin will be applied to the surface of your tooth or teeth that need to be strengthened. This procedure is quick and painless, and most patients are able to complete it within a single appointment. The resin will be formed into a natural-looking shape and dried under ultraviolet light.

Veneers

Because what you eat and drink has a direct correlation to how much your enamel has worn down, it is often the front teeth that suffer the most damage. Porcelain veneers may be a good choice for protecting front teeth that have sustained severe damage. The veneers function as a shield that protects and insulates the teeth and their remaining enamel from further damage.

Crowns

For severely weakened teeth, using a crown to cover the entire tooth's surface may be appropriate. Because pain can be an issue when the tooth is weakened to this extent, receiving a crown that protects the remaining enamel, as well as the inside portion of the tooth, may provide relief for this type of patient.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentistry in Tinley Park, IL

Conclusion

If you have concerns with your teeth or overall oral health, please do not delay in seeking care. Detecting these problems early may prevent later consequences. You can contact a licensed general dentistry office with any inquiries involving strengthening teeth.

Request an appointment or call Tinley Park Smiles & Implant Dentistry at 708-675-7427 for an appointment in our Tinley Park office.

Related Posts

The Benefits Of Preventative Care From A General Dentist

We all try our best to look out for our oral health, but the only way to truly keep up with our oral health is with preventative care provided by a general dentist. Brushing and flossing and oral hygiene are important, but there is so much that a dentist does that accounts for keeping us…

How To Prevent Tooth Staining: Tips From A General Dentist

It is natural for teeth to discolor over time. If you have noticed that your smile has lost its luster, a general dentist can help. For effective and long-lasting results, get personalized advice and treatment from the dentist in-office. However, there are general steps you can take to improve the whiteness of your smile. Below…

Your First Appointment With A General Dentist

Visiting the dentist can be stressful, especially if you have never been or it has been many years since your last appointment. However, with the help of a general dentist, your first appointment and every appointment after that will be a breeze. This post will review some tips to make your first general dentist appointment…