What You Should Know About Restorative Dentistry

Depending on various factors such as your age, diet, oral hygiene practices, or the occurrence of an accident, you might find yourself either missing some teeth or having teeth that are weak, stained, decayed, or fractured. This is where restorative dentistry comes in.

What is restorative dentistry?

Restorative dentistry is a dentistry branch that focuses on repairing damaged teeth and replacing missing ones. Although some of the procedures performed in restorative dentistry are similar to those performed in cosmetic dentistry, these two dentistry branches are not the same. Cosmetic dentistry focuses primarily on improving the aesthetics of the teeth, while restorative dentistry concentrates on restoring and maintaining the health of the teeth.

Restorative dentistry procedures

Restorative dentistry involves various procedures. These include tooth fillings, dental crowns, bridges, dental implants, veneers, and dentures.

1. Tooth fillings

The dental filling procedure involves a dentist removing decay from an affected tooth and covering the cavity using various materials. Tooth fillings can also be used to restore cracked or broken teeth. The type of material used to fill the cavity will depend on the location of the tooth. For molars and premolars, amalgam fillings might be used, while for teeth located at the front of the mouth, composite fillings, which match the natural color of teeth, are ideal.

Once the tooth that needs to be filled is identified, the dentist will use a drill to remove the decayed parts. When the decay has been separated from the healthy part of the tooth, the dentist will clean the tooth to kill bacteria and remove debris. After the tooth is cleaned, the tooth filling will be applied to the remaining portion of the tooth to cover the hole and restore the affected tooth’s appearance.

2. Dental crowns

If your dentist believes a damaged tooth is not strong enough to support a dental filling, they will recommend using a dental crown instead.

Dental crowns are tooth-shaped restorative caps that are cemented over a cracked or chipped tooth to restore the tooth’s appearance and prevent further damage or infection.

Dental crowns can be fabricated from different materials, such as metals, stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin. However, porcelain, ceramic, and composite resin crowns are preferred since they can easily match the color of the patient’s natural teeth.

3. Dental implants

Dental implants are used to replace extracted teeth. A dental implant procedure involves the dentist surgically placing a titanium implant in the patient’s jawbone. An artificial tooth is then screwed on top of the implant.

Implants closely resemble natural teeth, and the titanium root encourages bone growth.

Dental implants cost more than any other restorative dentistry procedure since they offer a long-lasting and durable solution.

4. Dental bridges

While a crown is used to restore a single tooth, dental bridges are prosthetics used to replace one or more teeth. As the name suggests, dental bridges’ bridge the gap’ left by the missing tooth using a replacement tooth known as a pontic.

Dental bridges are secured on either side of the replacement tooth by crowns that are cemented on the adjacent teeth. Bridges can be made from gold, porcelain, metals, or a combination of materials.

Compared to dental implants, bridges are more affordable and have a shorter recovery time. However, they don’t look as natural and are prone to fractures. Dental bridges can also lead to tooth decay.

5. Dentures

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures; complete and partial dentures.

Dentures are made from acrylic resin and are sometimes linked with metal bonds.

5. Veneers

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that are bound to broken, crooked, and discolored teeth to improve their appearance.

What are the benefits of restorative dentistry?

Other than improving the appearance of teeth, restorative dentistry procedures also restore the functionality of your teeth. Restorative dentistry procedures can help you to chew your food better, speak clearer, and also help to improve your overall health.

Are you looking for a dentist in Slidell?

At Fremaux Dental Care, our experienced Slidell dentist offers a collection of dental services to our patients. These services include restorative, preventive, and cosmetic dentistry procedures to help you restore and improve your oral health.

Visit our website or call us today to schedule an appointment to start your journey to better oral health.