Types of Restorative Dentistry and When You Need Them
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Types of Restorative Dentistry and When You Need Them

Jun 07, 2022

When you have a dental problem, you never really know which dental treatment your dentist will recommend. It varies from one patient to another, depending on the location of the oral problem and its complexity.

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

It is a dental term referring to all dental protocols for repairing and restoring natural teeth. The goal is to preserve oral health through reparative measures to replace missing teeth or repair existing ones. If you have missing teeth and damaged gums, you are the perfect candidate for restorative dental protocols at Fox Creek Dental by Espire Longmont.

How Do You Know You Need Restorative Dentistry?

A dentist can repair and restore various dental flaws in your smile with any of the above dental restorations. Some of the factors that may indicate your need for restorative dental care are:

  1. Missing tooth – a gap in your smile is the most obvious sign that you need to seek restorative dental services near you.
  2. Toothache – dental pain is also a sign that you need a dentist to check the health of your teeth and gums. Sometimes you may need some antibiotics for a lingering infection, a root canal therapy, and/or a tooth filling for a diseased tooth.
  3. Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth – restorative dentistry will incorporate root canal therapy, onlays, and inlays or dental crowns to repair a broken tooth. Treatment can also comprise a cosmetic procedure with composite bonding or dental veneers to repair your tooth.

Which Dental Procedures Are in Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry covers a large scope with multiple dental solutions for smiles. The most common ones are:

  1. Dental fillings – are dental restorative materials that repair diseased and decayed teeth. The filling material replaces the damaged portion of a tooth while sealing it to prevent the re-entry of bacteria.
  2. Onlays or inlays – are indirect dental fillings typically featuring porcelain material. They restore teeth partially, working as the perfect alternative to traditional dental fillings and dental crowns.
  3. Dental crowns – are oral appliances that encapsulate natural teeth, replacing the entire tooth enamel. In this way, dental crowns replace damaged teeth structures while reinforcing the strength of natural teeth.
  4. Dental bridges – are tooth replacement dental restorations, typically featuring two dental crowns and an artificial tooth. The dental crowns hold the artificial tooth in place, supported by adjacent natural teeth.
  5. Dental implants – are alternative oral appliances for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants replace the roots of teeth, closely mimicking the structural framework of natural teeth.
  6. Dentures – are other tooth replacement oral appliances, alternatives to oral implants. They feature multiple artificial teeth bound to a gum-like base. Dentures typically replace missing teeth and surrounding soft tissues.

Can Restorative Dentistry Entail Tooth Extractions?

Removing a permanent tooth is not a priority in dentistry. However, sometimes it takes pulling out a natural tooth to preserve general oral health. In restorative dentistry, tooth removal is an absolute last resort, usually when other treatment options have failed.

Material Selection in Restorative Dentistry

Selecting the best material for your restorative treatment is dependent on various factors. You have to consider both the physical and mechanical properties of the oral appliances, including the following:

  1. Aesthetic benefits – some materials are more conspicuous than others. Technically, metal-based dental restorations are more conspicuous than non-metal. When choosing non-metal fillings, you must also consider their ability to look like natural teeth. For instance, although composite resin and porcelain are both tooth-colored materials, porcelain is more life-like and natural-looking.
  2. Durability – the last thing you want is a broken dental restoration that will need retreatment after only a few months. Choose a material that lasts a long time.
  3. Sturdiness – depending on the tooth’s location, be keen when considering the strength of restorative materials. Back teeth need more sturdiness than front teeth because of recurring chewing when eating.
  4. Personal preferences – no matter the qualities of dental appliances, patients have different expectations.

Cost – dental materials impact the cost of oral appliances. The high the perceived quality of the material, the more expensive it will be to undergo treatment. If you do not have a dental insurance cover, you will pay for your entire treatment out-of-pocket.

  Click to listen highlighted text! Types of Restorative Dentistry and When You Need Them Jun 07, 2022 When you have a dental problem, you never really know which dental treatment your dentist will recommend. It varies from one patient to another, depending on the location of the oral problem and its complexity. What Is Restorative Dentistry? It is a dental term referring to all dental protocols for repairing and restoring natural teeth. The goal is to preserve oral health through reparative measures to replace missing teeth or repair existing ones. If you have missing teeth and damaged gums, you are the perfect candidate for restorative dental protocols at Fox Creek Dental by Espire Longmont. How Do You Know You Need Restorative Dentistry? A dentist can repair and restore various dental flaws in your smile with any of the above dental restorations. Some of the factors that may indicate your need for restorative dental care are: Missing tooth – a gap in your smile is the most obvious sign that you need to seek restorative dental services near you. Toothache – dental pain is also a sign that you need a dentist to check the health of your teeth and gums. Sometimes you may need some antibiotics for a lingering infection, a root canal therapy, and/or a tooth filling for a diseased tooth. Cracked, chipped, or broken tooth – restorative dentistry will incorporate root canal therapy, onlays, and inlays or dental crowns to repair a broken tooth. Treatment can also comprise a cosmetic procedure with composite bonding or dental veneers to repair your tooth. Which Dental Procedures Are in Restorative Dentistry? Restorative dentistry covers a large scope with multiple dental solutions for smiles. The most common ones are: Dental fillings – are dental restorative materials that repair diseased and decayed teeth. The filling material replaces the damaged portion of a tooth while sealing it to prevent the re-entry of bacteria. Onlays or inlays – are indirect dental fillings typically featuring porcelain material. They restore teeth partially, working as the perfect alternative to traditional dental fillings and dental crowns. Dental crowns – are oral appliances that encapsulate natural teeth, replacing the entire tooth enamel. In this way, dental crowns replace damaged teeth structures while reinforcing the strength of natural teeth. Dental bridges – are tooth replacement dental restorations, typically featuring two dental crowns and an artificial tooth. The dental crowns hold the artificial tooth in place, supported by adjacent natural teeth. Dental implants – are alternative oral appliances for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants replace the roots of teeth, closely mimicking the structural framework of natural teeth. Dentures – are other tooth replacement oral appliances, alternatives to oral implants. They feature multiple artificial teeth bound to a gum-like base. Dentures typically replace missing teeth and surrounding soft tissues. Can Restorative Dentistry Entail Tooth Extractions? Removing a permanent tooth is not a priority in dentistry. However, sometimes it takes pulling out a natural tooth to preserve general oral health. In restorative dentistry, tooth removal is an absolute last resort, usually when other treatment options have failed. Material Selection in Restorative Dentistry Selecting the best material for your restorative treatment is dependent on various factors. You have to consider both the physical and mechanical properties of the oral appliances, including the following: Aesthetic benefits – some materials are more conspicuous than others. Technically, metal-based dental restorations are more conspicuous than non-metal. When choosing non-metal fillings, you must also consider their ability to look like natural teeth. For instance, although composite resin and porcelain are both tooth-colored materials, porcelain is more life-like and natural-looking. Durability – the last thing you want is a broken dental restoration that will need retreatment after only a few months. Choose a material that lasts a long time. Sturdiness – depending on the tooth’s location, be keen when considering the strength of restorative materials. Back teeth need more sturdiness than front teeth because of recurring chewing when eating. Personal preferences – no matter the qualities of dental appliances, patients have different expectations. Cost – dental materials impact the cost of oral appliances. The high the perceived quality of the material, the more expensive it will be to undergo treatment. If you do not have a dental insurance cover, you will pay for your entire treatment out-of-pocket.

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