Damaged Back Teeth And How We Restore Them

Our molars come under a lot of chewing pressure and sometimes damage can result.

When we think about damaged teeth, it is often the front teeth that tend to spring to mind as these are the most visible. They are especially vulnerable to being chipped or broken by accidents, sports injuries or biting into something unexpectedly hard.

However, the teeth at the back of the mouth can also suffer considerable damage; in fact, our molars are exposed to some of the greatest forces every time we chew. They are designed to cope with this pressure, but they are certainly not indestructible, exacerbated by the fact that they are trickier to keep clean too. Over the years, decay, cracks, wear and heavy biting can all take their toll on these teeth. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that damaged rear teeth can be repaired and restored, or failing that, replaced.

Rear teeth and chewing

The molars are designed for grinding food. This means that they undergo a lot of pressure and especially when we eat harder or crunchier foods. This is an important function though as it breaks down the food before we swallow, allowing us to gain maximum nutrition. For most people, this is not a problem as healthy teeth are remarkably strong. However, a tooth that has already been weakened by decay, a large filling or previous treatment may be less able to cope with the daily strains that we put upon it, and damage may occur.

Decay and damage

Tooth decay is another common reason why a molar may eventually need restoration. This happens when acids produced by bacteria in plaque gradually damage the tooth. As cleaning around this area can be quite tricky, and perhaps flossing even more so, it perhaps isn’t surprising that it is not uncommon for these teeth to decay. If the problem is identified early on, a relatively small filling at the Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic may be all that is required. Unfortunately, decay does not always cause pain during its early stages. By the time a patient notices sensitivity or discomfort, a considerable amount of tooth structure may already have been lost, especially if they haven’t been for their regular check ups at our Canterbury dental clinic.

While a larger filling can sometimes be used, there might come a point where there is not enough strong natural tooth remaining for a conventional filling to provide a reliable solution. Here a dental crown may need to be considered.

Dental crowns

A tooth crown fits over the remaining part of a tooth after decay has been removed and the tooth has been shaped. It can be used when a tooth has been significantly weakened by decay, a large filling, a crack or root canal treatment. It will not only restore function but will also look natural as well. A crown can be made from a range of materials, depending on the location of the tooth, the amount of damage and the appearance required and can provide sufficient strength for normal daily use.

Inlays and onlays

Not every damaged molar needs a full crown. If the damage is too extensive for a normal filling but the remaining tooth is still reasonably strong, an inlay or onlay may be a suitable option. These are restorations which are made outside the mouth before being bonded into place. An inlay generally fits within the cusps, or raised areas, of the tooth and an onlay covers one or more of these cusps when additional protection is needed. They can provide a useful middle ground between a traditional dental filling and a full crown.

The decision on which method to use will depend on the amount of tooth structure remaining and the location and extent of the damage. In some situations, it may be decided that a tooth is damaged beyond repair and that it will need to be extracted. In this case, we will discuss dentures and natural looking teeth implants with you as a replacement.

Prevention is key to success

As noted earlier, reaching your rear teeth when cleaning can be difficult but you should try to brush at the back of them especially. You can buy specialist brushes for this purpose if needed. The same applies to dental floss. Although this may require more effort than with easier to access teeth, it does make a big difference and greatly reduces the likelihood of problems with your rear teeth. Of course, another important thing to do is to keep your check up appointments at Bradley and Partners Dental & Implant Clinic so that we can monitor the health of your mouth, teeth and gums overall.

If you are having problems with a rear tooth, or if you would like to book in for a check up with one of our Canterbury dentists, please call us today on 01227 463529.