The teeth are protected by a hard, outer layer called the enamel. Although the enamel is durable, exposure to plaque, bacteria, and acids in the foods we eat and drink can lead to a form of dental damage called tooth erosion. Once tooth erosion begins, it can lead to serious dental damage, including dental cavities and root canal infections.
At Fort Bend Dental, our team of dentists provides a wide range of restorative dentistry services to treat tooth erosion and improve oral health. If you would like to find out which treatment for tooth erosion is right for you and you live in or around Richmond, TX or Missouri City, TX, we welcome you to contact our staff today to schedule a consultation. Before your visit, let's take a moment to consider some popular treatment options for tooth erosion.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin, tooth-shaped shells designed to correct a wide range of dental issues, including mild erosion, by covering the front surface of the teeth. Porcelain veneers are custom-made using impressions of the teeth and can be crafted to any shape, size, or shade of white to improve the overall aesthetics of the smile and treat minor dental damage.
When placing porcelain veneers, a thin amount of enamel must be removed from the teeth to make room for the veneers so they sit evenly on the teeth. Accordingly, candidates for porcelain veneers need to have sufficient enamel to support the veneers.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding may also be used to treat minor tooth erosion. Like porcelain veneers, dental bonding treatment can be used to improve the size and shape of the teeth while also improving dental health. Unlike porcelain veneers, dental bonding does not require the removal of enamel. Instead, a special solution is applied to the teeth to roughen the surface of the teeth. This helps the bonding material adhere to the teeth.
Once the teeth are prepared, the dental bonding material, a soft, putty-like resin, is applied to the teeth and shaped to achieve the desired appearance. Once achieved, the resin is cured, or hardened, with a special light and the bonded teeth are polished to complete treatment.
Dental Crowns
Teeth with erosion too severe for porcelain veneers or dental bonding may benefit from treatment with dental crowns. Dental crowns are custom-made, tooth-shaped restorations that completely encase damaged teeth, helping to prevent further erosion and restore oral health.
At Fort Bend Dental, we can complete dental crown treatment in a single dental visit using CEREC® technology. With CEREC® technology, precise digital impressions are taken of the tooth. Impressions are then transferred to a computer where the customized crown is designed. The crown's specifications are then sent to a CEREC® milling machine to create the finished crown. The finished crown can then be bonded to the damaged tooth to restore dental health and appearance.
Which Treatment Is Right for You?
For more information about tooth erosion, including discussing your treatment options, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists at Fort Bend Dental.
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