Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.
Can Tooth Enamel Be Restored? Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
Unlike a broken bone that can be repaired by the body, once a tooth chips or breaks, the damage is done forever. Because enamel has no living cells, the body cannot repair chipped or cracked enamel.
The first sign of tooth decay is a white spot on the teeth, which means it has begun to demineralize. At this point, the weakening can be reversed or helped with remineralization. But once a hole, or cavity, begins to form, the enamel has been permanently damaged and it's too late to naturally reverse the effects.
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Tooth enamel cannot grow back because it is not living tissue. It can't be naturally regenerated or even artificially regrown. However, some dental products help with tooth enamel restoration, just not in the way you might imagine.
If the decay spreads to the pulp, a doctor usually recommends a root canal to minimize tooth pain. However, if there's not enough support left behind, an extraction becomes necessary. In this case, getting an implant is advised. Remember – tooth extraction is always the last resort.
Without insurance, enameloplasty can cost anywhere from $50 to $300 per tooth, and since it's a cosmetic treatment, most insurers will not cover the cost. But that doesn't mean you need to go without care.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Eat a Remineralization Diet
Certain foods can help remineralize softened areas in your teeth that acidic foods and drinks have weakened. For example, foods rich in calcium (dairy products like milk, cheese and yogurt) help put back minerals into the enamel, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables encourage saliva flow.
If your tooth enamel is damaged, then you might notice visible signs such as yellowing, white spots, chips, indentations, or translucent areas of the teeth.
If your teeth are rotting and you can't afford treatment, don't ignore it. Low-cost options like government programs or community health centers can help address the issue early.
The Pronamel Intensive Enamel Repair formulation locks in minerals and protects against acids, inhibiting demineralisation and allowing more time to help rebuild enamel strength.
But weakened enamel can be salvaged through a process called remineralization, which replaces lost minerals in the enamel, making it strong once again. Products with fluoride, like fluoridated toothpaste and foods high in calcium, are great for aiding in remineralization.
However, if directions aren't followed and strips are left on for too long or used too often, they can be bad for teeth. Why? The active ingredient of hydrogen peroxide can not only whiten teeth, but it can also damage enamel if not used correctly.
If damage to your tooth enamel is too advanced for restorative measures to be effective, tooth enamel repair will be recommended. One treatment option is dental bonding. Dental bonding involves applying a dental resin to the tooth surface to protect damaged areas and restore the intact surface.
As the blood supply is disrupted and the tooth begins to die, that tooth may become gray in color, although we've witnessed some dead teeth in shades of yellow, brown or even black, if left unchecked for too long.
Tooth erosion is when your enamel (the outer, protective layer of your teeth) wears thin. You can't replace it once it's gone, but you can take steps to halt it before it worsens.
You may need to pay a percentage of the cost of the surgery, depending on your specific dental insurance plan. Emergency dental care: Dental benefits often cover emergency dental services, such as treatment for a toothache or a broken tooth.
Severe Tooth Decay
If tooth decay has spread so deeply into the tooth that the structure is too damaged to restore with a filling or crown, it may be too late to save the tooth. In such cases, extraction is usually recommended.
The good news is that in many cases, a badly decayed tooth can be saved through various dental procedures. One common treatment option for saving a badly decayed tooth is a root canal. During a root canal, the infected tooth pulp is removed, and the root canals are thoroughly cleaned and sealed.