What Are the Basic Restorative Dental Services?

Restorative dentistry is one of the major branches of dentistry, and it means procedures carried out to treat an infected tooth or replace a missing tooth. There are many procedures under restorative dental treatment, and we will discuss each in a moment. But before that, what is the importance of restorative dentistry?

• Filling holes caused by decay ensures your teeth remain well-aligned.
• Replacing missing teeth makes it easier to maintain proper oral hygiene.
• Replacing lost teeth ensures your teeth don’t move towards the spaces, affecting your teeth’s alignment.
• It improves your smile, which can, in turn, improve your self-confidence.
• It improves your speech, especially if you were missing front teeth.

Basic Restorative Dental Procedures

There are many restorative procedures, and the right one for you will depend on your dental problem. Here are the most common restorative dental services.

Dental Implants

If you have lost one or more teeth, a dental implant is what you need. This procedure involves the use of a metal screw that acts as a root to a tooth-colored crown. Typically, dental implant treatment is considered the best replacement for missing teeth.

However, the entire treatment is quite long. It usually takes more than six months to get a fully functional dental implant. The wait is always worth it, though.

Dental implants are durable, and they look and function pretty much like your natural teeth. What’s more, they are not affected by tooth decay, and they are stain-resistant. The only downside is they are slightly more expensive than the other restorative options. The cost is justified, though.

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings treatment is the most common restorative dental procedure. It is used to fill holes caused by cavities, restoring the functionality and appearance of a tooth. Fillings are made of different materials, including amalgam, gold, composite resin, and porcelain.

Gold fillings are the most durable and quite aesthetic since gold is classy. However, they are quite expensive. Amalgam fillings are durable and affordable but not quite aesthetic. The mercury in them also poses a health risk. Tooth-colored fillings are durable and aesthetic. We strongly recommend tooth-colored fillings.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are often used to repair severely decayed teeth and after a root canal treatment. Like dental fillings, crowns are made of different materials, including gold, amalgam, stainless steel, resin, and porcelain.

Stainless steel is only used for temporary crowns often used as permanent crowns are being prepared in a dental lab. They are also used to preserve the space after a baby tooth falls out or gets extracted. Typically, a stainless steel crown will come off on its own when a permanent tooth erupts.

Gold crowns are strong and aesthetic. You can use them in both front and back teeth. We recommend amalgam fillings for back teeth since they are not aesthetic, and they are strong enough to do the chewing without breaks.

We recommend porcelain and resin crowns for front teeth since they are quite aesthetic, and front teeth don’t do much chewing. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns also exist, and you can use them for back teeth and front teeth. They are both strong and aesthetic.

Dentures

Dentures are among the oldest teeth replacement options. They are removable, and most people remove them at night before sleeping. However, you can go for fixed dentures such as implant-supported dentures, which are more stable than removable dentures.

Typically, dentures are more affordable than most restorative procedures, and they will restore your bite and speech. However, they are not the most comfortable, and they can still affect how you pronounce some words. Still, it is a good, affordable, and less invasive option for all.

Dental Bridges

Bridges are often used to replace one or more missing teeth. The option is quite durable and much more comfortable than dentures. Additionally, they are tooth-colored, which makes them as aesthetic as implants. The only problem is they can weaken the surrounding teeth.

Root Canal Treatment

A root canal is a treatment used to treat an infection that has affected the dental pulp. Typically, this treatment is usually the last resort for saving an infected tooth. If your dentist can’t save it through root canal therapy, the tooth should be extracted.

Restorative Dental Care

At Burton Dentistry, we provide restorative services of the highest quality. Book an appointment now and let us help you take care of your oral health.