Restorative Dentistry: What it is, Types and Procedures

What is Restorative Dentistry?

The main purpose of restorative dentistry is to repair damaged teeth or replace missing teeth so that you can maintain a healthy functioning smile. It involves procedures such as fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and implants that are performed by general dentists.

Who Should Consider Restorative Dentistry?

Individuals who have a permanent adult tooth that is damaged, decayed, or missing are great candidates for restorative dentistry. During your routine dental check-up, your dental professional will thoroughly evaluate your oral condition and will make a treatment plan designed to fit your oral health needs.

Types of Dental Restoration Procedures

Dentures

Dentures can be a great option for replacing missing teeth. Dentures can be removable or supported by implants that are fixed to the jaws. Full dentures replace an entire jaw of missing teeth, whereas partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth.

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are recommended for individuals with small cavities. When bacteria are not removed from the teeth properly, they can break down tooth enamel and cause a hole to develop in the tooth. Your dental professional will remove the tooth decay and infection and then repair the hole with a tooth-colored material to restore the tooth’s strength.

Dental Implants

Dental implants may be recommended for individuals who have lost a tooth. The implants are placed into the jawbone and a natural-looking crown is added to the implant to restore your smile back to its normal function and appearance.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are designed to replace one or more missing teeth. The bridge consists of natural-looking artificial teeth supported by dental crowns on either side.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns can help fix teeth with large cavities or fractures. Crowns encircle around the entire tooth and are color-matched to your natural teeth. Your dental professional will remove any decay and smooth any chipped pieces to prepare for the dental crown.

Dental bonding

Dental bonding can help repair fractured teeth. It involves reshaping the tooth using tooth-colored dental materials.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays may be recommended for individuals with mild to moderate tooth decay or fracture. Inlays are custom-made restorations that are bonded in-between the cusps of your teeth, whereas onlays are bonded on the cusps or chewing surfaces of teeth.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal procedures can help save a damaged or infected tooth. If bacteria have entered the innermost layer of the tooth, the dental pulp, a root canal is necessary to remove the bacteria. The root canal is then filled with a dental material. This procedure can alleviate pain, prevent reinfection, and reduce your risk of having to extract the tooth.

Benefits of Restorative Dentistry

Improved Oral Function

Missing or damaged teeth can make it harder for you to chew, speak, and perform normal daily activities. Restorative dentistry can help you regain these functions and maintain the health of the teeth.

Eliminate Pain

Tooth decay, oral infection, and fractured teeth for instance can cause a lot of pain. Restorative dentistry can help alleviate this pain by removing these issues.

Enhanced Aesthetics

Restorative procedures can improve the way your teeth look and give you a smile that makes you happy. Restorations can be made to improve the color and shape of your teeth, while still appearing natural.

Comfort and Convenience

Restorative dental procedures are typically simple, comfortable, and convenient. The procedures typically do not require much before preparation or recovery time afterwards. Your general dentist can recommend the best restorative procedure to meet your exact dental needs.

Prevent Further Dental Issues

It is important to detect and treat dental issues immediately before they worsen and lead to other health issues. Tooth decay and other oral issues that are left untreated can lead to the need for more expensive dental procedures and potential.

Preserve Jaw Bone Density

When a tooth is missing without being replaced for an extended period of time your bone starts to deteriorate. Replacing a missing tooth helps preserve bone density in your jaw.

Long-Lasting Results

With proper oral hygiene habits and routine visits to your dental professionals, restorative dentistry procedures can have long-lasting results. In fact, most dental restorations can last over 10 years if maintained properly.

Common Restorative Dental Materials

Restorative dentistry involves the use of different types of materials depending on the procedure, which can include:

• Ceramics
• Composites
• Metals
• Amalgam
• Polymers
• Glass ionomers
• Denture base resins

Risks of Restorative Dentistry

Fortunately, there are very few risks involved with restorative dentistry procedures. One of the most common risks is tooth sensitivity that tends to resolve shortly after a restorative dentistry procedure. In some cases, individuals may experience an infection or allergic reaction to a dental material used. Or, a restoration may become loose or cracked, in which case it is important to inform your dental professional immediately so that it can be managed.

Recovery Time of Restorative Dentistry

The recovery time of restorative dentistry can depend on what type of procedure is needed. For instance, there is typically no recovery period after getting a filling, crown, or bridge and normal activity can be resumed immediately. However, root canal therapy, dental implants, and dentures may require a longer recovery time depending on how many teeth are involved and on other factors. Your dental professional will inform you on what to expect following your specific procedure.

Restorative Dentistry at Gentle Dental

If you have decayed, damaged or missing teeth, book an appointment with our restorative team at Gentle Dental. Restorative dentistry can help improve the health, appearance, and function of your smile. Make sure that you are practicing good oral hygiene at home too so that you can maintain your smile.