Restorative Dentistry
Do you have missing or damaged teeth? Have you experienced trauma or injuries to your teeth? That is when restorative dentistry comes into play.
The treatments are not usually completed in a day, but instead require two or more visits. At times we may collaborate with specialists to ensure you get the best of care and excellent results.
Restorative dentistry applies to children and adults. However, adults and especially seniors seek this type of treatment most frequently.
What Are Our Goals for Restorative Dentistry?
Our main goal is to save a tooth when possible, and making the restoration look as close to your natural tooth (or teeth) as possible.
The Difference Between Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry
Although both fields of dentistry use almost the same materials, the purpose of treatment differs. If the procedure is performed because of disease, even if the outcome is enhanced appearance, it is considered a restoration.
Cosmetic dentistry’s goal is only to improve a smile. For instance, whitening a tooth or veneer application. Both of these treatments are not medical necessities and are done for aesthetic purposes.
Restorative Dental Services
Dental Restoration includes the following:
Dental Crowns
Crowns are used to replace missing structures of a tooth caused by fractures, root canals, or decay. They are like ‘caps’ placed on top of a repaired tooth to restore the normal appearance and function.
Before a patient undergoes this procedure certain factors are considered, such as:
- tooth location and function
- gum tissue positioning
- color of surrounding teeth
Dentures
For patients with missing teeth, dentures may be the solution. Custom dentures can be removable or fixed. Here are the different types you can choose from:
- complete dentures
- partial dentures – fixed type
- partial dentures – removable type
- dentures retained using dental implants
- immediate dentures
Dental Implants
Replacement of a permanent tooth is possible with a dental implant. With an implant, a titanium post (functioning as an artificial root) is surgically placed into the jawbone. After 4-6 months, after the jawbone has bonded to the implant, the crown portion is attached.
After the dental implant procedure has been completed, you have no food restrictions and the new tooth can function the same as your natural ones.
Dental Bridges
This procedure involves 3 or more teeth. But only one tooth is missing…the other two teeth serve as posts for the dental bridge. The recovery time after treatment is faster, and the restoration looks natural. Compared to implants, dental bridges are budget-friendly.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding involves the use of tooth-colored composite resin. This is used to fill cavity areas, restore cracks in a tooth or cover tooth discolorations. Bonding can also disguise a gap in the front teeth.
Inlays and Onlays
For smaller damaged areas to the tooth structure, inlays and onlays are used. These are more extensive than dental fillings but not quite as restorative as dental crowns.
What’s the difference? An inlay is designed to fit between the cusps of the back tooth (molar or premolar) and covers only a small part of the tooth’s biting surface. An onlay covers one or more cusps of the tooth.