Dispelling Dental Myths You May Have Heard

Posted on: 16 December 2014

Your dental health is an important part of both your quality of life and appearance, but there are many problems that teeth can develop over the course of a lifetime. While dentists have the ability to correct many of these issues, some patients have the need for answers to two common questions. Answers to these questions will help make you a better patient the next time you need dental care. 

Will You Have To Get A Metal Filling?

Metal fillings have long been a popular choice for correcting cavities, but it is an extremely noticeable method for correcting these problems. As a result, some patients do not want to have this type of filling for their cavities. Luckily, there is another option that is virtually indistinguishable from the natural teeth.

Porcelain fillings are applied by coating the teeth in layers of a porcelain paste. As these layers accumulate, they will correct the structural damage to the tooth, and this will restore its size. To correct the appearance, the dentist will carefully mold the last few layers of porcelain, and this will give the appearance of a healthy natural looking tooth. Unfortunately, this may not be an option if the tooth has suffered significant damage, and you will need to speak with your dentist to determine if this is a viable option for your needs.

Can Loose Teeth Be Corrected?

It is an unfortunate fact of life that gum disease is a rampant problem, and it has the power to destroy a person's smile. One of the ways that this disease can damage your teeth is by making them loose. This occurs because the gums recede from the tooth, and this makes it less secure. As a result, this can cause discomfort for the patient and the tooth may be more likely to fall out. 

Fortunately, this is a correctable problem. By grafting healthy gum tissue onto the diseased area, it is possible to secure the teeth and improve the appearance of your smile. While this may sound like a complex procedure, it is relatively routine, and you will usually recover within a few days of undergoing the graft. In instances where the damage to the teeth is severe, it may be necessary to undergo multiple graftings to fully correct the damage that was done. 

Going to the dentist is not something that most people enjoy doing, but these professionals like those from Couchman Center for Complete Dentistry have the power to save your smile from being ruined by disease and decay. Yet, without these answers, you may not know what to expect when visiting the dental clinic. By learning them, you will be better able to be a responsible and informed patient. 

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