What Is Restorative Dentistry?
“Restorative dentistry” is the term used to explain how missing or damaged teeth are replaced. Fillings, crowns, bridges, implants and root canals are common restorative options. At Dentique, our goal with Restorative Dentistry is simple — to bring back your natural smile and prevent future oral health issues.
Why are restorative dentistry procedures important?
Filling empty spaces in the mouth helps keep teeth properly aligned
Replacing teeth makes it easier to maintain good oral care habits to help prevent plaque build-up and the problems plaque can lead to
Missing teeth can affect your health, appearance and self-esteem
Restorative Dentistry Treatment Options
Fillings
The most common way to treat a cavity is for your dentist to remove the decay and fill the tooth with one of several different materials. These filling materials include gold, porcelain, silver amalgam (which consists of mercury mixed with silver, tin, zinc and copper), tooth-colored plastic or composite resin.
Crowns
A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a tooth. It is used to strengthen and protect your tooth structure. Your dentist prepares the tooth, takes an impression and the crown is made in a lab by a specialist. The crown is then cemented into place over the damaged tooth. A crown is ideal for people with broken teeth or cavities.
Bridges
A dental bridge "bridges" the gap where there are missing teeth. A bridge has a crown on each end as an anchor with an artificial tooth or teeth connecting the crowns and filling the space. A bridge can keep your other teeth from moving out of place. Once a bridge is placed, it works just like your natural teeth.
Implant crowns & restorations
When teeth are missing or unable to support and retain a dental prosthesis, like a crown or dentures, dental implants are commonly used to restore a smile.
The first step in restoring an implant requires planning in order to ensure there is enough underlying support to resist chewing forces. This often depends on the severity of tooth loss, how long the tooth has been missing and the location on the jaw of the missing tooth/teeth.
A low dose 2D and 3D x-ray (CBCT) is often used to confirm not only the presence of adequate bone to house the implants, but also to confirm that the available bone is located in the areas needed to support the planned and modeled restoration.
Restoration replacement and normal wear and tear will occur. The frequency of replacements are based on your biting force, lifestyle habits and nighttime or daytime bruxism. Professional cleanings, dental visits and proper home care are very important in the success of this treatment.
Root Canals
What is a Root Canal?
There’s no need to be worried if your dentist or endodontist prescribes a root canal procedure to treat a damaged or diseased tooth. Millions of teeth are treated and saved this way each year, relieving pain and making teeth healthy again.
Inside your tooth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called pulp. This tissue contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue, which help grow the root of your tooth during its development. A fully developed tooth can survive without the pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the tissues surrounding it.
Modern endodontic treatment is nothing like those old sayings! It’s very similar to a routine filling and can usually be completed in one or two appointments, depending on the condition of your tooth and your personal circumstances. Getting a root canal is relatively painless and extremely effective. You’ll be back to smiling, biting and chewing with ease in no time.
Reasons for Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. There are a whole host of reasons why you might need root canal treatment:
Deep decay
Repeated dental procedures on the tooth
Faulty crown
Crack or chip in the tooth
In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.