Causes of Tooth Damage

Before we repair teeth, we want to make sure we understand why they are damaged. This helps us design appropriate, durable restorations. There are many ways our teeth can be damaged, but a few come up most commonly:

  • Decay
  • Erosion
  • Trauma
  • Wear

Tooth decay is caused by oral bacteria that live in our mouths. The most damaging bacteria consume sugars and other simple carbohydrates to produce acid. The acid attacks our teeth enamel, removing minerals, and eventually creating small holes called cavities or dental caries. Left untreated, these holes can grow, eventually allowing bacteria to infect the tooth.

Erosion is also caused by acid in our mouths, but the acid comes from other sources. While reflux can increase the acid level in the mouth, most erosion is caused by acidic foods and beverages. Erosion can make your teeth turn yellow, brown, or gray, and this discoloration won’t respond to teeth whitening. Erosion also weakens teeth making them vulnerable to trauma or wear.

Our teeth are very hard, but they are also somewhat brittle, which makes them vulnerable to chipping and cracking under force. Accidents, falls, and violence are common causes of tooth trauma.

Although the food we eat is softer than in the past, our teeth can still wear down from normal biting and chewing. Over time, this can cause visible and even painful damage to teeth. Accelerated tooth wear might be a symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ or TMD) or other bite problems.

Restorative Dentistry Procedures

At Kuhn Dental Associates, we offer a full range of restorative dentistry to our patients in Aberdeen. We will assess the type and extent of damage to your teeth and determine which is the best approach to repairing them. Some of the more common restorations we offer include:

Dentist using mirror to examine tooth and prepare for restorative dentistry

Tooth-colored fillings

In the past, fillings were often made from metal, but modern dentistry has new materials for more attractive and functional fillings.

Inlays and onlays

These highly durable ceramic fillings are often the best option for dealing with large cavities. They look beautiful and can last up to 30 years! We can make these while you wait.

Dental crowns

Dental crowns, also called caps, fit completely over the visible portion of your tooth. This protects, supports, and beautifies the damaged tooth. We can make these while you wait.

Root canal therapy

When a tooth is infected, root canal therapy removes the infection and the rest of the living tissue to protect against future infection.

Dental crown placement illustration for restorative dentistry
Dental implant placement illustration

Dental bridges

Dental bridges use your natural teeth to support a replacement tooth. This treatment provides fully fixed, functional replacement teeth that look and function like natural. We can make these while you wait.

Dental implants

Dental implants are replacement teeth that support themselves. They look natural, support your bones and gums, and can last a lifetime.

Rejuvenating dentures

While traditional dentures can make you look older, the Denture Fountain of Youth® can help you look younger and healthier, with a beautiful, natural-looking smile.

Woman smiling showing teeth

Gum disease treatment

Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss, but it’s also a serious systemic infection. We treat gum disease to protect your teeth and your health.

Oral surgery and extractions

Sometimes, a tooth can be a serious threat to your health and your other teeth. We can remove these teeth to start you on the path to recovery.

Full mouth restoration

Sometimes, taking a piecemeal approach to tooth repair leads to more extensive damage. In these cases, we recommend using a comprehensive approach to restorative dentistry.

Restorative Dentistry From  Kuhn Dental Associates in Aberdeen

If you are looking for restorative dentistry in Aberdeen, choose Kuhn Dental Associates. We offer advanced restorative technology. CEREC CAD/CAM technology lets us use a digital scanner to image your teeth and design restorations on the computer. We can then make them in our office so you don’t have to wear temporaries or make a second visit.

We also prioritize your comfort. We not only create a welcoming, friendly atmosphere that puts you at ease, we use technology to reduce discomfort. Anutra and the needle-free anesthesia Wand make dentistry more comfortable, and we can help you overcome anxiety through sedation dentistry or drug-free relaxation with NuCalm.

Want to learn more about what makes Kuhn Dental Associates special? Please call (910) 692-4450 today for an appointment.