Here are five dental treatments that most patients aren’t aware of but are common in dental offices, especially for older patients.
#1 Inlays
Inlays are dental restorations useful for the repair of decayed or chipped teeth. Preparing the tooth for the inlay is an indirect means of fabrication.
To make an inlay, the dentist will produce a mold (impression) of the original tooth. Then they will pour dental stone into the mold. Instead of using the actual tooth, a skilled professional will create this restoration in a lab using the model.
In a separate appointment, usually at a different dental office, the dentist will glue the replacement tooth into the tooth. Gold, composite resin, ceramic materials, or other metals are all possible materials for the new tooth. They are pretty similar to fillings. However, these are more costly due to the procedure’s complexity and the need to create them in a laboratory.
#2 Bone Grafting
This procedure can rebuild some of the width and height of the alveolar bone loss due to tooth extraction. Moreover, a cortical block graft is made by connecting a solid piece of bone to the defective area and fastening it with fixation screws while it conforms to the position over a few months.
The maxillary sinus is a hollow space in the cheekbones where the roots of the upper back teeth often extend. A bone may reabsorb from the sinus floor and the other tooth socket’s walls when any of those teeth are lost. This can typically regenerate via a sinus lift or sinus elevation.
#3 Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are necessary when the developing molar teeth are missing or lose their permanent position too soon owing to unrepairable cavities. The main goal of space maintainers is to prevent first molar displacement and the loss of room for permanent canines and bicuspids.
They can move forward if the permanent first molars are not kept in proper alignment. As a result, they may prevent the bicuspid teeth from moving into their correct position in the mouth. The first bicuspids can move forward and obstruct the normal movement path of the permanent canines into the mouth. A space maintainer is unnecessary if any of the anterior or first six baby teeth in either jaw are prematurely missing.
The most common type is fixed-in-place space maintainers. The Trans-Palatal Arch, the Lingual Holding Arch, the Distal Shoe, and the Band and Loop comprise these components. Remember that the selection depends on the number of missing teeth and their position within the dental arch. A dentist will fix these in place with the use of dental cement. Thus, a patient will not be able to remove them.
However, children rarely wear detachable partial dentures to retain space. However, it may be advisable if the child’s appearance has altered and there are many missing teeth.
#4 Periodontal Stabilization Splints
Dental treatments that use splints help preserve teeth that have become loose due to the loss of supporting bone surrounding them. Typically, heavy bite stress aggravates the complication. The dentist can determine if the patient’s teeth are movable enough to require this technique.
#5 Periodontal Surgery
Periodontal surgery is a dental treatment that treats diseases related to the alveolar bone and gingiva. The periodontist removes tissue with disease and performs a regenerative treatment.
Many are in awe when they discover how many dental procedures are out there. When you think there is nothing you can do to improve your oral health, something probably can. With the variety of dental procedures available today, anyone can have a beautiful, healthy smile.