Treating Tooth Decay in Ankeny: What are Your Options?

Posted On June 14, 2023

With innovations in restorative dentistry, tooth decay, at any level, can be treated. This means that everyone can have a beautiful, healthy smile. These days, your treatment options for tooth decay include more than just traditional fillings. With the many options that an Ankeny dental professional can offer, patients can get the most effective and most durable treatment option to improve their smile. 

Metal Filings are a Thing of the Past

Metal or amalgam fillings used to be the go-to option to repair dental cavities. However, today, tooth-colored and more reliable options are now available. Whether you need dental fillings or want to replace your existing metal fillings, below are your options:

• Tooth-colored fillings. These dental fillings can be made of composite resin or porcelain. Your dentist can customize them to match your natural teeth’s shade, ensuring they blend in. 
• Inlays and onlays. These treatment options are meant to treat molar cavities. Inlays treat minor-medium tooth decay in molar cusps, while onlays treat more extensive tooth decay. 
• Porcelain veneers. For mild decay on your front teeth, veneers can be a good treatment option. These tooth-shaped shells are made to the specific size, shape, and shade of your natural teeth, masking decay that used to be filled with a filling. 

Treatment Options for More Serious Tooth Decay

In some instances, tooth decay has become serious enough that it cannot be addressed with dental fillings. The teeth may have sustained significant damage that they may break or require removal. For these teeth, your options include:

• Dental crowns. Dental crowns can restore the look of teeth that have big fillings and protect them. They cover damaged teeth completely and are customized to blend in with your surrounding teeth. 
• Dental implants. If you have to let go of damaged teeth, you can replace them with dental implants. Only implants function, feel, and look like your natural teeth. They are surgically placed into your gums where they are allowed to fuse with your jawbone. After your implants heal, they will be able to stimulate jawbone growth, thus, preventing gum recession and jawbone loss. Your implants are completed by placing dental crowns on top of them. But not everyone can be a good candidate for dental implants. So, consult with your dentist to know if you can benefit from them.

The innovative treatments available for tooth decay today make it possible for patients to have beautiful restorations that can improve their smile. A healthy smile will lead to a boost in self-confidence. If you want to know the best option for your dental issue, visit a dentist as soon as possible.