Summary
Approximately 3.5 billion suffer from dental problems and oral diseases. Cavities, chips, cracks, dental injuries, and tooth loss are common, but things can get serious. We have seen a decline in tooth loss cases in recent years. Thanks to restorative dentistry, you can now preserve your natural teeth.
But what exactly is restorative dentistry, and how can it improve oral health? We will answer all your queries and doubts by discussing the topics like:
Restorative Dentistry: In a Brief
Basic Restorative Dentistry-Procedures Explained!
Surprising Benefits Of Restorative Dentistry
Top Tips to Choose Your Ideal Restorative Dentist
Risks Associated With Restorative Dentistry
So continue reading as we learn more about restoratives in the following sections.
Restorative Dentistry: In a Brief
Restorative dentistry is a critical aspect of dental care. It focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral diseases and restoring the function and aesthetics of a patient’s teeth.
General dentists, also known as family dentists, perform restorative dentistry. These dentists perform various treatments to prevent teeth from falling while preserving their structural integrity. This improves one’s ability to speak, chew, and eat.
Often, restorative dentistry is confused with cosmetic dentistry. But they are not the same! Restorative dentistry only focuses on improving your teeth’ oral health and functionality. On the other hand, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving your smile. However, we will discuss certain restoration procedures that enhance dental aesthetics.
Basic Dental Restoratives-Procedures Explained!
There are several different types of dental restorative options, depending on your specific oral needs:
1. Fillings
One of the most common restorative dentistry procedures, fillings help repair teeth that would have been damaged by cavities or decay. The different types of fillings include amalgam, composite, gold, and ceramic fillings. The amalgam fillings usually used for the back teeth are made of silver, tin, copper, and mercury.
Composite fillings are used in visible areas as they can be customized and color-matched. Lastly, ceramic fillings are durable and aesthetically pleasing.
The process is quick and can be completed in a single visit. Your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth, clean the area, and fill in with the chosen material.
2. Crowns
Crowns or caps restore your teeth’ shape, size, strength, and appearance. They are made of metal, resin, and porcelain. Metal crowns are durable and used for outside molars, and porcelain crowns are aesthetically pleasing. Resin crowns are cheaper but also less durable.
If your tooth is severely damaged or decayed, your dentist will reshape it and take an impression. A permanent crown will then be prepared and custom-made to fit the tooth using your oral impression. Until it’s ready, your dentist will place a temporary crown in your cavity.
3. Bridges
Bridges are anchored on either side of the crown if you have one or more missing teeth. They help maintain your facial shape and evenly distribute the bite forces. The most common bridges are the traditional ones involving one or more artificial teeth anchored by crowns. Other types of bridges include cantilever bridges and Maryland-bonded bridges.
The procedure is similar to crown installation. The dentist prepares your adjacent teeth and takes impressions. These impressions shape permanent bridges until temporary bridges are placed in your cavity.
4. Implants
Dental implants are artificial teeth-like structures of biocompatible metal, such as titanium. They replace missing teeth, give a natural look and feel, and restore normal functioning.
The procedure of implants is elaborate and includes consultation and planning, implant placement surgery, osseointegration, abutment, and crown placement.
5. Root Canal Treatment
Root canals help restore the tooth and prevent the spread of infection. They are necessary when your dental pulp gets infected or inflamed.
In an RCT, your dentist will remove the infected pulp, clean the inside, and fill the vacant space with a particular material. The tooth is then sealed and often covered with a crown for protection.
Surprising Benefits Of Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry provides the best chance at long-lasting oral health. Your restoration dentist at Prairie Village, KS, will fix your smile to full function by treating damaged or decayed teeth. Other benefits include-
1. Boost in Self-confidence:
Various dental restoration processes enhance the appearance of teeth. For example, dental crowns make your smile more uniform. Besides, we all agree that a perfect smile gives an ideal boost to self-confidence.
2. Longevity:
Restorative treatments aim to improve oral health and enhance the life of natural teeth. When paired with a good oral hygiene routine, they can prevent further dental issues.
3. Correction in Oral Imperfections:
Restorative procedures like fillings, crowns, and implants aid in restoring the functionality of impaired teeth. Correcting damage and decay will help you regain your ability to chew and bite effectively.
4. Preserve Natural Teeth:
Restoration dentists always aim to preserve the natural dental structure whenever feasible. Procedures like fillings or root canal therapy strengthen the existing teeth rather than extract them.
Top Tips to Choose Your Ideal Restorative Dentist
1. Procedures they Follow
Dentists’ services differ significantly depending on their level of experience. In most cases, patients must locate a restorative dentist specializing in dental restorations. If the dentist is skilled in treating the patient’s particular dental issue, that is great. If not, they should contact a dentist who can recommend them to a specialist who can take the necessary care.
2. Qualifications and Experience
After identifying a potential candidate for dental care, patients should research the restorative dentist thoroughly. These days, finding a plethora of expert knowledge is simpler. Certain dental practices offer all the information consumers need on their websites to help them decide about working with that particular dentist.
3. Financial Arrangement
This might be the deciding factor in the transaction. Patients need to make sure they can afford the restorative dentist’s treatments. Insurance holders need to confirm that the dentist clinic will take their plan. Dental procedures can range widely in price based on several variables. An assessment of the intricacy of the process and the materials used is required. This is another situation when the dentist’s experience is valuable.
Risks Associated With Restorative Dentistry
Restoration procedures offer numerous benefits but also come with certain risks:
1. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, a bleeding disorder, or a compromised immune system, there are higher risks of complications from these procedures. These disorders impair your healing and increase susceptibility to infections.
2. If you are allergic to metals or resin compounds, you should notify your dentist beforehand. These metals used in restoration procedures can trigger allergic reactions.
3. You are unsuitable for specific procedures if you have other underlying dental issues, such as periodontitis, extensive decay, gingivitis, or insufficient bone support. Your dentist will treat these underlying issues first before restorative treatments.
Takeaway
- Restorative dentistry helps repair damaged teeth and restore their natural functions.
- Basic procedures include crowns, extractions, root canals, and others, depending on your problem.
- Besides restoring the functionality of your teeth, they also give you a beautiful and even smile.
- Make an appointment with your dentist to determine your suitability for restorative procedures. He will assess and plan the restoration treatment.
- Let’s make the most of your smile with our experts at Cope Dentistry today!
