White fillings
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental conditions, and it can affect people from any age or sex. Its primary causes are increased dietary sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene habits. Due to the large amounts of sugar consumed in Western diets, tooth decay has been very prevalent in the past decades. Certain bacterial species use the sugar remnants left in the mouth after a meal to convert it to energy and essential metabolites. During their metabolism they secrete organic acids, which can damage the structure of the teeth due to entering into a chemical reaction with the calcium phosphate present in the teeth. Formerly the main way of treating tooth decay and cavities was by the use of amalgam fillings. These are less and less in use, due to their metallic colour and the health concerns associated with potential traces of mercury leaching from the fillings. Today these are increasingly replaced by white fillings. If you have experienced tooth decay and would like to get white fillings, a dentist Liverpool will be able to provide you with this far more aesthetically pleasing alternative.
Dental implants
One of the serious potential consequences of untreated tooth decay is tooth loss. When the bacteria which cause the decay degrade the structure of the teeth and reach the pulp tissue, the tooth might loosen and fall out eventually. This is due to the pulp tissue being the living component of the tooth and it is essential for the tooth to stay in its place. Other causes of tooth loss include gum disease, also known as gingivitis or periodontitis. Gingivitis is the initial inflammation of the gums, characterised by redness, sensitivity and an increased tendency to bleed during things like tooth brushing. When gingivitis is left untreated it can progress into periodontitis, which is often irreversible due to the chronic inflammation permanently damaging the gum tissue. At this stage, this might lead to tooth loss. Luckily tooth loss can be treated in various ways, one of which is to use dental implants. Dental implants are small metal implants inserted into your jawbone through surgery. Dental implants are very strong and durable, therefore they can withstand the large amounts of pressure exerted on them by chewing.
Crowns
Dental crowns are small shells, which are placed on top of a tooth in order to improve its appearance and functionality. Dental crowns are especially useful in the case of eroded teeth or teeth severely damaged by tooth decay. In these cases dental crowns can cover the entire surface of the tooth that is above the gum line. Dental crowns are tooth shaped and tooth coloured, therefore it is not obvious that they are not natural teeth. There are various materials that can be used to make dental crowns, the most common dental crowns are made out of resin, ceramic, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal. If you would like to get dental crowns think about arranging a consultation with a dentist who will be able to advise you on the best treatment to restore your teeth.
