Human teeth are incredibly durable. They withstand hundreds of pounds of pressure as we chew and bite, and they can often last a lifetime. Nevertheless, they are not indestructible. Teeth can become damaged or compromised in a number of ways, most commonly by injury or decay. This can be an upsetting or alarming situation for anyone. Fortunately, a restorative dentist can help. Read on to learn more about what restorative dentistry entails.
What is a restorative dentist?
A restorative dentist specializes in repairing damaged teeth or replacing missing ones. There are many different restorative treatments, each designed to address a specific problem. A restorative dentist will have the skills, experience and technology to repair or replace teeth affected by a variety of different circumstances. It is important to note that the ideal dentist specializes in cosmetic dentistry in addition to other areas such as general and cosmetic dentistry.
What treatments does restorative dentistry include?
Generally, all dental procedures designed to fix a damaged tooth or replace a missing one fall under the umbrella of restorative dentistry. Below are a few prime examples.
- Tooth-colored fillings are used to fill in cavities to restore the form of a tooth and prevent any further decay (i.e., an increase in the size of the cavity). Fillings used to be made of silver and amalgam mercury, which had a dark appearance and made them stand out. Modern technology has afforded dental patients with reliable materials that are effectively unnoticeable.
- Dental crowns are customized “caps” that are securely affixed over a tooth to replace missing material and restore its structural integrity. They are generally created using porcelain or ceramic material that is not only strong, but will match the appearance of your natural tooth. Crowns are designed personally for you and can be shaped to remedy a number of dental complications.
- Dental bridges are used to replace a missing tooth. They help “bridge” the gap created by the missing tooth and are anchored to neighboring natural teeth using partial crowns. These are used to support the full replacement crown, which is designed to look just like your missing tooth.
- Dental implants offer another option for tooth replacement. These implants are permanently affixed to the jaw and function in the same way as a natural tooth root. Once the implant is installed, a full replacement crown is affixed upon it. The crown looks and feels just like a natural tooth. Implants are often preferred over bridges because they are attached more securely and are thus more durable.
- Root canals are employed when a tooth has decayed to the point that its pulp (the nerve-laden center) becomes infected. Root canals can occur when cavities are left untreated and the bacteria consumes more of a tooth’s material. During a root canal procedure, your dentist will flush out the infected pulp and seal up the tooth with a partial crown to prevent further damage.