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Restorative dentistry includes treatments that can repair or replace teeth that are damaged or missing. Most people will need some form of restorative dentistry during their lifetime. These treatments help improve dental health and restore your teeth so they can function properly.
In this guide, discover more about restorative dentistry and when it is necessary. We also look at the treatments used.
Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing damaged teeth that have lost some of their structure. It also includes treatments that can replace teeth that are missing entirely.
The main aim of restorative dentistry is to allow you to bite and chew comfortably, talk clearly, and smile confidently. Afterward, your teeth should be strong, stable, and function fully.
Broadway Mall Dental provides a wide range of restorative dental treatments, using the latest techniques and most up-to-date materials for long-lasting and natural-looking results.
You will need restorative dentistry if you develop a problem with the tooth, for example, if you have tooth decay and a cavity that requires filling or if you have a tooth that is significantly infected.
We also use restorative dentistry to treat damaged and broken teeth, replacing missing tooth structures artificially so that teeth look and feel strong and attractive. Restorative dentistry can replace teeth that are missing or which are too badly damaged to save.
The primary aim of restorative dentistry is to restore function and protect or improve oral health. In contrast, cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving your smile’s appearance.
Some of the treatments used in restorative dentistry can also provide cosmetic improvements. For example, if you have a tooth that is broken down and decayed, we may suggest covering it with a dental crown. The dental crown will restore your ability to bite and chew food comfortably but should also look attractive.
Treatments include:
A dental crown is sometimes called a cap and covers a tooth entirely. We may recommend a crown if a tooth is severely decayed or damaged and has lost a significant part of its original structure.
A dental bridge can replace one or more missing teeth that were originally side by side. The bridge has dental crowns fitted over the adjacent teeth. These crowns support the replacement teeth, called pontics, between them.
A full denture replaces an entire arch of upper or lower teeth and is a removable appliance that rests on your gums.
A partial denture is also a removable appliance that replaces one or more missing teeth in the same arch. It relies on clasps fitted around your natural teeth for support.
Dentures can break occasionally; when this happens, they must be repaired professionally.
Porcelain fillings are used to restore cavities in back teeth. Because these cavities tend to be larger and come under significant pressure during chewing, an ordinary filling made from composite resin would not be strong enough.
The innermost part of a tooth is called the dental pulp and houses soft tissues that include the tooth nerve. The dental pulp must be removed during root canal treatment if it becomes infected or inflamed. Root canal therapy can save a severely infected tooth from extraction.
The above is just an overview of these procedures; you can discover more about these restorative treatments on their dedicated pages.
Restorative dentistry can offer several clear benefits, including:
There are very few risks to having restoration dentistry. The most common is increased tooth sensitivity after treatment, such as a new crown or a porcelain filling.
If metals are used in your restoration, you may have some sensitivity or an allergic reaction to them. However, we can reduce this risk by discussing allergies or sensitivities before treatment. High-quality metal-free materials are available that can be used instead.
Because restorative dentistry treats or replaces teeth that are damaged or missing, the costs will likely be covered to some degree by dental insurance. The percentage covered will depend on your dental insurance plan and the restorative materials chosen.
Regular dental checkups allow us to closely monitor your dental health and check the condition of any existing restorations. We can detect any changes to your oral health promptly and recommend that aging restorations are replaced as they reach the end of their lives.
However, if you have recently developed a toothache or notice that something feels wrong with a tooth, then schedule an appointment with our dentist. The sooner we can diagnose and treat a problem with restorative dentistry, the less likely you will develop more serious problems later.
