3 Options For Restoring Your Smile After Surviving Domestic Violence

As a survivor of domestic violence, you have already faced and overcome many different challenges.  Recovering from dental problems that occurred due to domestic violence can be difficult. Unfortunately, more than 10 million men and women are abused each year by their partner and many will be living with dental problems for years. If you never smile with an open mouth anymore, restorative dentistry, including veneers, may be exactly what you need.

#1-What About Dental Implants?

If you have lost one or more adult teeth, it is crucial to replace those teeth as soon as possible. Otherwise, your jaw may lose some of its strength, which can make restoration in the future more challenging and time-consuming. If it has been a while since you lost your teeth, your dentist or oral surgeon may need to remove bone from another part of your body and graft it to your jaw. By doing so, your jaw can be strong enough to support one or more dental implants.

After your jaw has completely healed, a titanium rod will be placed into your jaw. That rod will function as a replacement for the root of your natural teeth and up to four teeth per rod. The entire process can take up to six months to complete without bone grafts and up to a year if you required grafting. A successful implant can last up to 25 years.

#2-When Are Veneers Right For You?

Veneers are an option for patients who have worn down, chipped or mildly damaged teeth and have an otherwise healthy smile. They are tiny, thin covers that attach to the front of your teeth after the area is roughened up and cover the damaged portions of affected teeth.

They are often appealing, since they can give you the brilliant, white teeth that most people want and are customized to the shape, size and length of your existing teeth. Porcelain and resin options are available, and your dentist will be able to make recommendations as to the most appropriate choice for your needs. Porcelain veneers are known to resist staining better than resin, but resin veneers are easier to attach, since they don't require as much damage to the natural tooth.

#3-Perhaps A Root Canal And Crowns Are Better?

If your teeth are severely damaged, but are still present in your mouth, you may not be able to benefit from either dental implants or veneers, without additional major work. In that instance, root canals and crowns are often recommended. When significant decay, severe infection or a dead tooth have occurred, a root canal will stop the infection from spreading and treat the pain you are likely feeling. If your tooth was damaged some time ago and you were unable to receive dental care since then, infection and spreading decay are more likely, which is common among domestic violence victims.

A root canal includes the removal of the pulp from the inside of your tooth and then using an appropriate filling material into the empty area. If there was significant damage to the tooth, your dentist may need to build a crown to go around the tooth. It closely resembles a natural tooth and will help to maintain its structural integrity for many years.   

For more information about repairing your smile, contact Leidenheimer Dental Group Inc or a similar organization.

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