A dental abrasion is damage that occurs to the enamel by forces that are applied to the teeth. It is not caused by tooth-on-tooth contact. Rather, it’s caused by external forces, such as brushing too hard, chewing on your nails, or using a hard-bristled toothbrush. Over time, these actions can start to wear down the enamel and put you at risk for serious dental issues. Thankfully, your Downey dentist can treat dental abrasions.
Dental abrasion is a type of enamel wear. There are three types of wear that can damage your teeth:
The most common sign of dental abrasions in Downey are notches in your teeth that look like upside-down triangles at the gumline. You might also notice:
Since dental abrasions aren’t caused by dental decay, it’s easy to assume there is no rush to treat them.
Unfortunately, dental abrasions in Downey can put you at risk of deep dental decay and gum disease.
When the enamel wears away, it exposes the second layer of the tooth called dentin, which is very porous. It is not as strong as enamel. Therefore, the acids and bacteria that cause dental decay can damage the dentin quickly, putting you at risk of nerve inflammation and damage.
Additionally, it’s easy for food and plaque to become impacted in the abrasion concavities. The result: gum irritation and eventually gum disease, one of the leading causes of tooth loss.
The most common way to treat dental abrasions is with composite filling material, also called composite bonding. After making sure you are decay-free, we place the composite into the concavity and shape it to dovetail with your natural tooth. The bonding looks completely natural.
If a larger part of the tooth is exposed, another option is to place a veneer over the tooth. This is a beautiful, long-lasting option.
Dental insurance can be a complicated topic. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The reason for this is because each insurance company has its own rules regarding what they will pay for and how much they will cover. Those rules can even change within an insurance company depending on the type of plan you have.
We will work with you and your insurance company to see if restoring dental abrasions in Downey are a covered benefit under your policy.
Based on what we find out, we can create a treatment cost estimate that includes payment plans or outside financing options for your portion of the cost.
Your Downey dentist, Dr. Omid Barkhordar, can successfully treat dental abrasions. But he can also help you prevent them from developing in the first place (or prevent future abrasions). He can do this by:
Your Downey dentist wants to keep your teeth, gums, and bones healthy and strong. To do that, we provide detailed patient education and recommendations for better oral health.
This, accompanied by regular dental visits, can help prevent dental issues that can lead to serious and/or long-term issues.
With regular dental visits, we can catch those issues – or the habits that lead to them – early. Your Downey dentist can help you change course so the problems don’t progress, or if they do, we can treat them early before they become a major problem.
We Will Show You How to Protect Your Teeth for a Lifetime!
From proper home care, lifestyle, and dietary choices to the importance of regular dental visits – we’re committed to keeping you healthy. Contact us today at (562) 445-3363 to learn more.
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