Compared to the rest of your body, your teeth lack natural defenses. If you develop a cavity, you will need to see a dentist to have your tooth restored. If you have issues with your oral health that need to be treated, you should know that modern dental techniques have provided restorations that can preserve your overall appearance. Your dentist can repair a tooth with a cavity using materials that blend with your natural tooth. With good care at home and regular visits to your dentist, you should limit your odds of developing a cavity. However, if one does develop, cosmetically pleasing remedies are available.

Composite Fillings

After removing an infection, your dentist can replace the lost tooth material with a filling, as long as the amount of lost material is not too severe. A modern filling uses a composite material that can be shaped to fit the exact opening it is intended to fill, and can mimic the appearance of your enamel.

Porcelain Dental Crowns Can Look Like Natural Teeth

A more severe cavity can leave a tooth with too little support to be propped up with a filling. If this is the case, your dentist can place a dental crown over the affected tooth. A porcelain crown has the color, shape, and look of a tooth, so that it can be difficult to identify as anything other than a natural tooth. However, if you develop an advanced cavity in a premolar or molar, teeth that are placed under greater functional strain, you may need a more durable material. A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown can have a tooth-like appearance while offering greater strength.