Restorative dentistry focuses on fixing issues that affect your ability to use your teeth or mouth. It often intersects with cosmetic dentistry, but it goes way beyond that. Restorative dentistry helps safeguard a patient's health since many dental issues like gum disease are linked to significant health issues like diabetes, strokes and heart disease.
The importance of restorative dentistry
Restoring a tooth's function typically improves its appearance as well, but the treatments used in restorative dentistry go way past that. Restorative treatments help prevent other — usually more severe — dental problems from developing in the future.
The benefits of this dental specialty include:
- Replacing missing teeth helps keep the patient's teeth in their proper alignment
- Prosthetics like implants prevent bone tissue deterioration
- Addressing alignment issues makes it easier to clean the mouth, which reduces the risk of gum disease and tooth decay
- It improves the patient's confidence and self-esteem
- It prevents dental issues from affecting the patient's general health
Treatments commonly used by restorative dentists
There are several restorative procedures that can be used to restore the lost function of a patient's teeth. These include:
1. Fillings
These are among the most commonly used restorations in dentistry. Fillings are used to combat tooth decay, which is one of the most prevalent dental issues. Fillings can be made from an assortment of materials, but silver amalgam and composite resins are the most popular. They can also be made from porcelain, gold and silver.
Tooth decay leads to the formation of small holes called cavities. The filling is inserted into these holes and used to seal it up. It helps restore the function of the tooth, and more importantly, it prevents the cavity from expanding.
2. Crowns
Crowns can be used to repair a variety of issues like tooth decay, broken or chipped teeth, discolored teeth and teeth that have undergone root canal therapy. Crowns are customized for each patient, so it fits perfectly over their teeth. A small portion of enamel is typically removed during the installation of crowns to ensure the best fit possible.
3. Bridges
Just like the name implies, bridges are used to connect gaps in a person's smile. It consists of a set of artificial teeth that are usually anchored to the two teeth closest to the hole on both sides. The installation of a bridge prevents other teeth from becoming misaligned in an attempt to close the space.
4. Implants
Implants are used to replace missing teeth. They also replace the root that is lost when a tooth falls out. Implants are inserted into the patient's jaw, and they prevent the surrounding bone tissue from breaking down. They do not require any distinct care and are the closest thing to a real tooth when it comes to dental prosthetics.
Get your smile restored
Restoring your smile allows you to go back to enjoying simple things, like your favorite foods. It can also allow you to smile confidently in public. Call or stop by our Benicia clinic to learn more about how we can restore your smile.
Request an appointment here: https://beniciadentist.com or call Southampton Dental Care at (707) 887-5075 for an appointment in our Benicia office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
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