Parafunctional habits are habits that exercise a body part in a way that is other than its most common use. Biting your nails, chewing ice cubes, or using your teeth to open things are common parafunctional habits for teeth. If you bite your nails frequently it can cause continuous stress on your jaw joints and muscles in the jaw. They can also damage the teeth.
Chewing ice cubes can crack or break your teeth. Dental crowns, fillings, and other dental restorations are more prone to cracking or falling out if you chew hard things like ice. Trying to open objects using teeth also can undue cause stress and damage to the teeth and jaw.
Dr. Sara Gotwalt can treat tooth damage caused by common parafunctional habits in her Lititz, PA office. She will thoroughly examine damaged tooth enamel and discuss your goals with you to find the best cosmetic solution.
Cosmetic Treatments for Parafunctional Habits
Dr. Gotwalt offers cosmetic dental treatments like dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and tooth crowns to help repair teeth injured by bad oral health habits:
- Tooth Bonding: Dental bonding uses a composite resin material to cover and protect damaged teeth. Small cosmetic imperfections such as chips or cracks in the tooth enamel can be easily covered with dental bonding. Tooth bonding treatment is a quicker and more economical solution than veneers.
- Porcelain Veneers: A more permanent alternative to tooth bonding, dental veneers are thin porcelain ceramic shells that are bonded to the front of teeth. Because we use veneers made of porcelain, they are longer-lasting and more stain-resistant than alternatives.
- Dental Crowns: Tooth crowns are best for protecting cracked or weakened teeth. Our dental crowns are made of durable ceramic and blend in with natural teeth. Crowns are able to withstand normal biting and chewing forces and can create a fuller and more balanced-looking smile.
Curb Bad Oral Health Habits Today
Treat teeth damaged by bad oral health habits with cosmetic dental care. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Gotwalt on our website. If you are a new patient, call 717-220-4651. Current patients may call 717-627-6980 to request a consultation.