How many people suffer emotionally because of their smile? The ADA Oral Health and Well-Being report that 20% of people often or occasionally experience anxiety due to their smile. In addition:

7% have taken days off due to their smile
14% avoid social activities
23% feel embarrassment
25% avoid smiling
82% believe straight, white teeth are key to success

It’s clear the emotional and mental impact a smile has on people, but many don’t know how to get the smile of their dreams. When you don’t have a smile that makes you happy, what are your options for restorative dentistry in Nashville?

What Are Common Restorative Treatments?

The most important part of having a smile that boosts your confidence and self-esteem is to see a dentist regularly. Cleanings every six months are important for avoiding tooth decay and gum disease. If there are issues, you’ll have it taken care of in the earliest stages.

When you’re going for routine cleanings and exams, you can take the next step. Restorative dental treatments are meant to restore a smile to a natural-looking state. At Jody Jones DDS, restorative dentistry covers these options.

Bridges

A dental bridge is a set of composite teeth that “bridge” a gap of one or more missing teeth. The bridge may be connected to teeth on each side of the gap or onto posts that are embedded into the jaw bone and secured as the gums bond around the post.

When a bridge is meant to anchor to neighboring (abutment) teeth, the false teeth fill the gap. They’re fitted into a plate that fits over the gums. If they’re affixed to posts, those implants have to be embedded into your jawbone and given time to heal before the bridge is fitted. The false teeth may be made from ceramics, composite materials, or porcelain.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are composite teeth affixed to a post that is secured to the jawbone and gums. It looks exactly like a real tooth.

Posts are surgically embedded into the jawbone and given time to heal and secure. The bone grows around the post, usually titanium, which secures it in place. A dental implant takes its place and acts just like a permanent tooth in terms of strength.

Once the post is affixed within the jaw, an abutment is placed on the top of the post. The porcelain or whatever material is used to make the tooth is then adhered to the abutment.

Dental Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are lab-made fixtures that fit onto your teeth. They are a less invasive option to a crown, and they’re also smaller. They do have differences.

Inlays are fitted into a tooth with the remaining natural tooth surrounding most of it. An onlay is larger and usually covers the very top surface of the tooth. They’re a good choice for helping repair teeth that are worn out due to excessive wear or from loss of enamel from acidic foods and beverages.

Other Dental Treatments That Help Deliver an Ideal Smile

Nashville’s Dr. Jody Jones offers additional services that can build upon the new smile restorative treatments deliver. All of these are worth considering.

ClearCorrect

Crooked teeth don’t have to be a problem you have to live with. ClearCorrect is an alternative to traditional metal braces. Take them out when you eat or to brush your teeth and wear them the rest of the time.

ClearCorrect involves wearing different corrective dental aligners, also referred to as trays, over time. As the teeth shift to their ideal positions, you transition to the next tray when the current one becomes loose-fitting. The series of trays change the alignment gradually with less discomfort than standard metal braces.

Porcelain Crowns

A cavity is usually drilled to remove all decay and filled with a composite resin or amalgam filling. Sometimes, the decay is too large for a standard filling. The tooth must be reshaped with an artificial crown. If that’s the case, you’ll get a porcelain crown adhered to the top of the tooth to restore it to a normal size.

A porcelain crown is designed to fit in the exact space where your decayed tooth was removed. You’ll get an exact fit with a crown that’s glued onto your tooth to create a solid chewing surface. There is a risk that a crown will loosen over time, which is another reason why regular dental cleanings and exams are important.

Teeth Whitening

There are teeth whitening kits in stores, but you don’t always know if they’ll work. Sometimes, tooth discoloration isn’t correctable, such as if you were given tetracycline medications as a child. For discoloration from coffee and wine, professional teeth whitening services can give you a whiter smile.

You could use teeth whitening kits from a store, but some people find their gums are sensitive to them. Others find they don’t work as well as a dental treatment. It’s up to you, but remember that a dentist has special training that can get you better results.

Veneers

Veneers are very thin shells of porcelain that are made to bond to the surface of your tooth. They can restore the tooth’s appearance to make it look more even, change the color, or fill gaps between the teeth. If tooth whitening was on your list, but standard whitening doesn’t work for you, veneers are a great solution.

Technology is improving veneers to make them thinner and require less tooth preparation. Typically, the enamel on the tooth is etched in preparation for the adhesion process. The tooth is etched, a mold is taken, and the veneer is customized to fit your tooth while correcting the issue at hand.

Tips for Talking to a Dentist

Achieve your goals by being honest with your dentist. If budgetary constraints limit how much you can do, ask your dentist to work out an affordable plan that helps you reach your goals, even if it takes longer than you want. It’s better to take small steps than to avoid making any progress.

While you’re being honest, make sure you bring up any issues you’ve had in the past. If a dentist was extremely rough or did something that made you fearful, tell your dentist. There are treatment options that work through dental anxiety. You don’t have to let fear keep you from your dream smile.

You don’t have to go to Nashville to learn more about restorative dentistry options. Schedule a free video consultation online and get answers to your questions. It’s a simple process. Upload a picture of your smile, share any concerns you have, and send them to Jody Jones DDS for a virtual consultation. Dr. Jody Jones and his staff specialize in ensuring people have a smile that fills them with confidence.