At Chestnut Family Dentistry, we’re proud to offer our patients a wide variety of state-of-the-art dental treatments. Two of these treatments are sealants and restorations. While sealants can help prevent the onset of cavities and tooth decay, restorations are used to help restore teeth that have already been affected by tooth damage.
If you’re looking for a reputable dental practice in the Asheville area, don’t hesitate — contact Chestnut Family Dentistry today to schedule a consultation appointment.
Sealants
A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to help prevent tooth decay. Once this coating bonds to the depressions and grooves of the teeth, it forms a tight protective shield over the enamel. This protects the nooks and crannies of the back teeth that can easily be missed during regular brushing and flossing practices.
While adults without any tooth decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants, children and teenagers are the best candidates for this procedure. This is because this particular age group has an increased likelihood of developing cavities and experiencing tooth decay. Specifically, a sealant treatment is most beneficial between the ages of 6-14. The effects of a single coating can protect patients from tooth decay for up to 10 years.
Patients that suffer from tooth decay either because of the absence of sealants may require a tooth restoration to return their teeth to normal help prevent further damage.
Restorations
Patients suffering from severe cavities or tooth decay may need a dental restoration to prevent further damage. As part of each dental restoration procedure, Dr. Willoughby’s staff removes the infected or damaged area of the tooth and then fills it with either gold, dental composites, or porcelain. This filling returns the function, integrity, and shape of the damaged tooth structure. From there, the medical team will assess whether or not the patient needs any additional dental work to help minimize damage. This could include a crown, dental implant, or dental bridge.
Because tooth decay can happen in people of all ages, anyone suffering from it can and should undergo a dental restoration procedure. This ensures that no more harm will come to their teeth, and sets the stage for better dental hygiene in the future.
Interested in undergoing a sealant or restoration procedure in the Asheville area? Come to the family-friendly practice that can serve you best — contact Chestnut Family Dentistry today to schedule your first appointment.
