Have Really Bad Teeth – The Complete Options Overview for Tampa Residents

Do you ever find yourself staring at the mirror, thinking, “I have really bad teeth, what are my options for fixing this?” Many Tampa residents face substantial tooth-related worries around dental challenges ranging from mild staining to profound tooth decay and damage. The good news is that there are a variety of dental treatments available that can address these concerns and restore your smile to its full potential.

8 Dental Dilemmas and Tampa Palm’s Solutions For Treating Them

1. Dealing With Missing Teeth ~ Dental Implants, Implant-supported Dentures, Snap-in Dentures.

For those missing one or more teeth due to decay or damage, dental implants, implant-supported dentures, or snap-in dentures can be highly effective. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that serve as a stable foundation for a permanent crown replacement and are ideal for those who have missing, or failing teeth. If implants seem daunting or are out of budget, snap-in dentures provide the same stability and natural appearance but with less expense and chair time.

2. If I Have Bad Really Bad Teeth, What Are My Options For Addressing Bone Loss? ~ Bone Graft, and Sinus Lifts.

A downside to prolonged missing teeth or tooth decay is the potential for bone loss, which can lead to facial changes and teeth misalignment. However, advanced procedures like bone grafts – taking bone from elsewhere and merging it with your jawbone – and sinus lifts, which grow bone in the sinus floor, can strengthen your jaw to make dental implants possible.

3. Correcting Misaligned Teeth ~ Porcelain Veneers, Invisalign, Traditional Braces.

For crooked teeth, porcelain veneers (thin, ceramic shells) can conceal imperfections like chips, cracks, discolorations, and slight misalignment. Don’t want a cosmetic fix? You could opt for traditional metallic braces, which use small, bonded brackets and arch-wires to place pressure on your teeth to shift them. For a nearly-invisible option, Invisalign uses custom-made trays to gradually shift your teeth, with the upside being that they are removable, making them great for eating, drinking, and maintaining good oral hygiene.

4. Treating Tooth Decay ~ Root Canals, Fillings, Porcelain Crowns, Inlays/Onlays.

If you have really bad teeth, you might be wondering what your options are for treating tooth decay:

• Root canals can save teeth from extraction by removing infected tooth pulp. After cleaning and sealing the tooth to prevent infection, a crown is frequently placed on top to restore its strength and functionality.
• Dental fillings are used to treat cavities from tooth decay. The decayed portion of the tooth is removed, and the cavity is filled with materials like amalgam, composite resin, or porcelain, which restores tooth structure and function.
• Porcelain crowns are tooth-shaped caps placed over damaged/weakened teeth to restore their appearance, strength, and function. These are custom-made to match the color and shape of your natural teeth, providing a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution for teeth that have undergone significant damage or decay.
• Inlays and onlays are indirect restorations used to repair moderately damaged teeth that cannot be treated with fillings but do not require full coverage like crowns. Inlays are designed to fit inside the cusps of a tooth, whereas onlays cover one or more cusps.

5. Fixing Misshapen Teeth From Trauma ~ Porcelain Veneers, Dental Bridges, and Dental Implants.

Misshapen teeth can be corrected with porcelain veneers (cosmetic), which are placed on top of the front surface of the teeth to make them appear more symmetrical. Dental bridges can fill in gaps from missing teeth to improve alignment. For more extensive cases, dental implants provide a durable and long-lasting option by replacing missing teeth with artificial roots and crowns.

6. Brightening Discolored Teeth ~ Teeth Whitening, Porcelain Veneers.

When dealing with moderately discolored teeth, whitening procedures are your best bet. Professional bleaching treatments offer a non-invasive and cost-effective solution to removing surface stains and lightening the shade of your teeth. If you have deep, intrinsic stains from medication or genetics then porcelain veneers may be a better fit.

7. Adjusting For An Over or Underbite ~ Invisalign, Jaw Alignment Surgery.

When dealing with an over or underbite, Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment as it offers a discreet and comfortable way to address mild to moderate cases of misalignment by gradually shifting teeth into the proper position. In more severe cases, you may be referred for jaw alignment surgery which repositions the jawbones for improved bite alignment and facial symmetry.

8. Reducing Your Gummy Smile ~ Gum Contouring, Porcelain Veneers.

An excessive display of gum tissue when smiling, known as a gummy smile, can impact one’s self-confidence. Procedures such as gum contouring can effectively reshape the gum line, while porcelain veneers can be used to minimize how visible the gums are when you smile.

Experiencing dental challenges can be tough, but rest assured, there’s a path to a brighter, healthier smile waiting for you. If you have really bad teeth and want to know your options, reach out to us here at Tampa Palms Dentistry for a complimentary consultation and we’ll kickstart your journey towards a more radiant smile!