The human bite is nowhere near as
strong as a crocodile's, but it can still exert 150 to 200 pounds per square inch (psi). That's about a fifth of the
bite force of lions, tigers, and hyenas.
In any case, that kind of force
gives the human teeth enough power to tear away at food, and sometimes, even
objects. This, paired with the enamel that covers the teeth, makes them
exceptionally hardy. Just so you know, the enamel is the hardest biological
material, so it's much stronger than steel.
Unfortunately, your chompers,
especially the front teeth (incisors), are also more brittle. That's why
they're susceptible to damage, such as cracking, chipping, and even breaking.
Being at the very front, the incisors get exposed to more hazards than your
molars, which are at the back.
The great news is that there are
several ways to restore damaged front teeth. We'll cover some of the best ones
in this guide, so be sure to read on.
Dental
Bonding
Dental bonding involves the use of
tooth-colored composite resin materials. Composite resin is a putty-like
plastic substance that's flexible and easy to mold. They "bond" and adhere
to the teeth through a curing process.
Dentists often use tooth bonding
materials to fill minor cavities. In many other cases, they use it as a form of
adhesive for other dental materials. For instance, they may use a small amount
of composite resin to "glue" veneers or crowns to the teeth.
As a stand-alone treatment, dental
bonding can restore chipped or cracked teeth. They can also fill the space in
minor diastemas, the condition you likely know as "gapped teeth." You
should consider getting that gap "bridged," as it can raise your risks of tooth decay.
Besides, dental bonding is the most
affordable treatment for restoring front teeth. However, it only works on minor
tooth flaws, so you need to see the dentist as soon as you notice these issues.
Dental
Veneers
Veneers are super-thin shells often
used to restore teeth with stubborn stains. They are about a millimeter thick,
and most of the time, used only for front tooth restoration. They also cover
just the teeth's visible or front surface.
Aside from camouflaging stains,
veneers can also correct minor teeth structure flaws. Small chips and cracks
are easy to correct with these shell-like materials. Your dentist may also
recommend them for misshapen front teeth or minor diastemas.
Composite resin and porcelain are
the two most common materials used for veneers. According to researchers,
porcelain is often a better choice, as it has a 90% survival rate for up to 20 years. By contrast, composite resin's survival rate is only 87%
over a span of three years.
Porcelain veneers, however, can be
expensive, as their prices start at over $900 per tooth. Bioclear, a composite
resin-based material, is a lower-cost alternative to veneers.
Dental
Crowns
Also called "dental caps,"
dental crowns, like veneers, also cover the teeth. The chief difference is that
crowns go over the entire teeth and not just the front surface. Dentists can
also place them not only on the front teeth but also on the canines, premolars,
and molars.
For many decades, crowns consisted
of metal alloys as well as gold or silver. Today, porcelain and zirconia are
more common, as they are more aesthetic and durable.
Dental crowns, as they cover the
entire teeth, are ideal for fixing more major tooth problems. They can restore
teeth with more significant damages like bigger cracks and chips. They're
thicker than veneers, so they're also better at reinforcing the front teeth.
However, it's also this thickness
that makes crowns more invasive. Do note that both veneers and crowns require
the removal of the outer layer of the teeth. As crowns are thicker than
veneers, dentists need to file down more of the teeth's outer layer.
Teeth
Whitening
Did you know that two-thirds of folks in the US drink at least one cup of
coffee every day?
As tasty and rejuvenating as coffee
is, it's also one of the most common culprits behind teeth stains. Wine,
carbonated drinks, and tea are also major contributors to teeth discoloration.
If your front teeth have turned pale
yellow or even brown, consider getting them whitened. You can whiten them with
at-home kits, but in-office dental whitening is more effective. Moreover,
professional whitening is better in getting rid of more stubborn stains.
Teeth whitening materials consist of
safe dental bleaches like hydrogen peroxide. These substances work by breaking
down stains into minuscule parts. This break down makes them easier to remove,
resulting in whiter, brighter teeth.
Good
Old Professional Dental Cleaning
There are at least 700 species of bacteria found in the mouth, many of which
are the bad kind that causes tooth decay. At the very least, they strip away
the enamel of the teeth. If this happens to your front teeth, they may develop
spots whiter than the rest of the teeth.
These problems are highly
preventable with regular dental prophylaxis. "Dental prophylaxis" is
the medical term for deep dental cleaning. It's a thorough procedure that
removes not only plaque but also tartar build-up.
It's best to get dental prophylaxis
at least once every six months. It's part of your routine dental checkups, in
which your dentist also checks the state of your teeth and gums. All in all,
deep dental cleaning helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
Dazzle
Everyone With Your Smile by Getting Your Front Teeth Restored
There you have it, your
comprehensive guide on how to restore your front teeth. For minor to moderate
stains, consider professional whitening. For more stubborn stains or physical
damages, go with veneers or dental crowns.
The most important thing, however,
is to see your dentist at least twice a year. This way, you can keep all your
teeth (not just the incisors) healthy and strong.
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