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How Teeth Become Damaged

Although our teeth are very strong, a variety of factors can weaken them to the point that they are unable to function properly. When teeth become this feeble, your Mansfield TX dentists, Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris, are likely to recommend a dental crown, a hollow, tooth-shaped restoration that fits over the damaged tooth and provides the strength necessary to restore its function. However, before teeth require dental crowns, you can intervene in several ways to prevent them from weakening.

One common way that teeth grow frail is through teeth grinding, or bruxism. Teeth grinding usually occurs during sleep, and because the habit is unconscious, it may go unnoticed for a long period of time. During this time, teeth may lose enamel, growing weaker and weaker until they fracture. In order to prevent bruxism from damaging your teeth, it is important to attend regular dental cleanings. During these cleanings, your Mansfield TX dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, will examine your teeth. If they discover signs of bruxism, they will provide you with a dental sleep guard, which will protect your teeth from any further damage.

Bacteria can also weaken teeth, hollowing them out from the inside as a cavity develops. The larger a cavity grows, the more structural integrity a tooth loses. Eventually, the tooth will no longer be able to withstand the forces created by biting, and it will crack, chip, or break. Thus, you should brush and floss your teeth thoroughly in order to prevent tartar from building on your teeth. This bacteria-ridden substance is difficult to remove and contains the oral bacteria that attack teeth and create cavities.

How Dental Crowns Affect Your Smile

In addition to reinforcing weakened teeth, dental crowns restore smiles by repairing damage. However, some dental crowns offer better cosmetic results than others. Your Mansfield TX dentists, Dr. Jones and Dr. Harris, understand which materials work best in which situations. For example, they are likely to recommend a porcelain crown for a damaged tooth in the front of your mouth because porcelain crowns offer the best cosmetic results. However, for teeth in the back of the mouth, they many suggest a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown. PFM crowns are stronger than porcelain crowns, but offer inferior cosmetic results They are, therefore, ideal for teeth located toward the rear of the mouth because bite force is much stronger there and the teeth that must withstand it are not prominent in the smile.

About Mansfield Dental Associates: At Mansfield Dental Associates, Dr. Blair Jones and Dr. Seth Harris share the same vision and philosophy when it comes to patient care. Each seeks to build relationships based on trust and communication and strives to offer the latest technology for the best possible dental care. Patients can schedule an appointment or a consultation by calling 817-473-6227.