Replacing Old Dental Work With Cosmetic Dentistry Article

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Replacing Old Dental Work with Cosmetic Dentistry

In the past, dental work has been efficient at improving the functionality of patients’ smiles, but has often hindered their appearance just as often.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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For instance, metal fillings can be all too obvious when patients talk and laugh, and over time, many porcelain-fused-to-metal dental crowns can show black lines where a person’s gums meet the crown.

Besides these aesthetic concerns, old dental work can wear out over time and compromise the health of your mouth and teeth. Today’s cosmetic dentistry techniques and materials offer such significant advantages over old methods that more and more patients are seeking to replace their old dental work with modern cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Problems Caused by Old Metal Fillings
Metal amalgam fillings were once the standard for treating tooth decay. Unfortunately, this type of material has been known to cause problems in patients who are allergic to nickel, palladium, and other metals. In addition, metal fillings put patients at risk of other dental problems in the future, including:

• Weakened or fractured teeth (due to the metal expanding and contracting with temperature changes)
• Loosening of the filling, resulting in further decay
• Corrosion of the filling, resulting in stains on teeth and gums
• Potential reaction to toxins in mercury fillings

Cosmetic dentists today make use of a new composite resin material that not only matches the natural color of your teeth, but comes with several health advantages as well. Composite fillings are directly bonded to your teeth, meaning decay cannot reach underneath the surface of the filling to damage your teeth again. This stability also allows the filling to have a much longer life. It will not loosen or fall out over time.

White fillings also do not require so much of your natural tooth tissue to be removed when they are implemented. With all of these added benefits on top of the aesthetic advantages – a filling that is virtually indistinguishable from your natural tooth – it’s easy to see why many people choose to replace their old metal fillings with white composite fillings.

Problems Caused by Old Dental Crowns
Many common dental crowns contain a metal alloy structure covered by porcelain. These crowns often look thick and opaque once placed, not matching the slight translucency that is characteristic of natural teeth.

Crowns made with non-precious metal also often result in a darkening at the edge of the crown, leaving patients with an increasingly unnatural appearance as the metal oxidizes and stains. Even crowns made with all gold can progressively darken your mouth’s overall appearance.

Modern cosmetic dentistry materials offer more attractive and efficient options, such as all-porcelain crowns and Lava™ crowns. These allow for a precision and attention to detail that was not possible with past materials. A modern crown, placed by an experienced cosmetic dentist, can restore long-lasting functionality and beauty to your smile.

If you would like to learn more about how cosmetic dentistry can replace old dental work and restore your smile, please visit the website of Oklahoma City cosmetic dentist Dr. Terry Bass, DDS today.

About Author

Oklahoma City cosmetic dentist Dr. Terry Bass offers smile makeovers, porcelain veneers, dental implants, tooth whitening, and more. Please Click to schedule an in-depth dental consultation with Dr. Terry Bass.

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Replacing Old Dental Work with Cosmetic Dentistry