Tooth Disorders—Cosmetic Dentistry

If you have stained, broken or uneven teeth, cosmetic dentistry can help. Cosmetic dentistry is different from orthodontic treatment, which can straighten your teeth with braces or other devices.

Cosmetic dental procedures include

• Bleaching to make teeth whiter
• Repairing chips or rough spots with fillings that match your teeth
• Filling cavities with tooth-colored materials
• Reshaping teeth that don’t match the others
• Closing gaps between teeth
• Covering broken teeth with porcelain crowns

Your teeth are made of a hard, bonelike material. Inside the tooth are nerves and blood vessels. You need your teeth for many activities you may take for granted. These include eating, speaking and even smiling. But tooth disorders are nothing to smile about. They include problems such as cavities (also known as tooth decay), infections, and injuries.

The most familiar symptom of a tooth problem is a toothache. Others include worn-down or loose teeth. It’s important that you see a dentist if you have any problems with your teeth. Fortunately, you can prevent many tooth disorders by taking care of your teeth and keeping them clean.

• Amelogenesis imperfecta (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Broken or knocked out tooth (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Bruxism (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Dental crowns (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Impacted tooth (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Root canal (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Tooth – abnormal colors (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Tooth abscess (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Toothaches (Medical Encyclopedia)