Teeth grinding, aggressive brushing, abrasive foods, and acidic beverages can all take a toll on your tooth enamel. This thin, hard layer of protective material shields your teeth from painful temperatures and safeguards them while you’re chewing.

Because enamel has no living cells, the body cannot repair damaged enamel. Once it chips or cracks, some restoration treatment is needed. How your dentist treats enamel erosion depends on both the cause of the damage and the severity.

During your consultation at First Dental in Sugar Land, Dr. Imrek will carefully evaluate the severity of your condition. Following are some treatment options to restore your gorgeous smile.

Same-Day Mouth Guard Treatment

If your tooth enamel loss is due to teeth grinding or clenching, a.k.a. bruxism, a mouth guard can protect you while you sleep. If stress is causing you to grind your teeth, Dr. Imrek may also recommend:

Stress management
Relaxation exercises
Biofeedback mechanisms
Physical exercise program

Bonding

If enamel loss is not significant, bonding can be used as a restorative procedure for teeth that are chipped or cracked. Dr. Imrek prepares the tooth by lightly etching (roughening) the surface and applying a bonding liquid. He then applies a plastic resin and sculpts it into the desired shape. Once the resin sets, it’s trimmed, smoothed, and polished to produce a natural appearance.

Dr. Imrek often completes the bonding procedure in a single office visit. Bonding typically lasts three to five years before needing repair.

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are very thin shells of ceramic that bond directly to the front surfaces of the teeth. They create a beautiful, natural-looking smile, and are especially helpful when enamel damage is extensive or more than one tooth is involved.

Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to stains from coffee, tea, wine, and cigarettes. Dr Imrek works with a dental lab that provides a lifetime warranty on all porcelain veneers, assuming they’re cared for properly. Veneers are a very popular and successful restorative option.

If you’re concerned that tooth enamel loss is marring your smile, please call or visit First Dental in Sugar Land today to schedule your appointment with Dr. Imrek. We look forward to helping you achieve a healthy smile that is both beautiful and functional.

If you have sudden or chronic pain tooth pain, it’s important that you get it diagnosed as soon as possible. Some causes of tooth pain are very temporary and not serious. Other reasons can be very serious and require the services of a professional dentist. Here some common causes of tooth pain.

Inflammation of the Tooth Pulp

Inflammation of the tooth pop is also called pulpitis. What happens with this condition is that the nerve of the tooth, or tooth pulp, is inflamed. This inflammation and irritation leads to the buildup of pressure inside the tooth and causes a toothache. Depending on the severity of the pulpitis, your tooth pain may be light or extremely uncomfortable.

Tooth Abscess

Another common cause of tooth pain is a tooth abscess. An abscess comes about from the buildup of bacteria inside the actual pulp of the tooth. This infection leads to the production of a kind of mucus that starts to drain out from the root of the tooth. It’s the pressure from draining that causes the pain that you become aware of when you have a tooth abscess.

Cracked Tooth

If you have tooth pain, it could be because you have a cracked tooth. A cracked tooth can happen for various reasons, including eating foods that are very hard. If your teeth are not strong, to begin with, eating something as simple as extra crunchy fried chicken may cause a cracked tooth. Habits like chewing ice can also lead to a cracked tooth.

Cavity

Having a cavity is the most common cause of tooth pain. A cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by bacteria. Many people have cavities, leading to the assumption that it is inevitable. However, with good oral hygiene, you can avoid cavities.

These are several common causes of tooth pain. If you do have tooth pain, it’s essential that you make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. Long-term good oral health is dependent upon timely diagnosis and treatment by your dentist.

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Treatments for Tooth Enamel Loss