Understanding Dental Restoration
Dental restoration is the process of replacing missing or damaged teeth. This procedure is performed to improve your oral health and functionality. Common dental restorations are dental implants, bridges, and crowns. Dental restorations are typically for people who have cavities or tooth decay, have lost their teeth due to an accident or illness, and want to replace damaged or broken teeth.
Just as with any other medical procedure, restorative dentistry is important because it helps to improve your oral health and improve your ability to chew, speak and eat. By fixing damaged or decayed teeth, you can have a beautiful and confident smile and long-lasting oral health.
Dental Restoration and Cosmetic Restoration
Most of the time, it is easy to confuse one with the other, but the fact remains that cosmetic restoration and dental restoration are not the same procedures. Yes, it’s true that they can both lead to aesthetically pleasing results. Dental restoration is typically done with the main aim of improving oral function and health, while on the other hand, cosmetic restoration is done to improve the appearance of your smile. Some dental restoration procedures provide cosmetic and functional improvements; for instance, dental crowns help restore your chewing and can simultaneously make your smile symmetrical.
Types of Dental Restoration
Dentures
Dentures are a common type of dental restoration and serve as a replacement for lost teeth. There are full and partial dentures, whereby they replace a single tooth or several missing teeth, respectively. They are designed to rest on the gums, usually with the help of a special adhesive, and the jaw bone supports them.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are typically made from titanium posts and are used to replace missing tooth roots. When a crown is added to the dental implant, it mimics that of a natural tooth, both functionally and aesthetically. Dental implants have become the most durable and functional way to replace lost or missing teeth.
Crowns
Crowns repair broken teeth or large cavities caused by tooth decay or accidents. This dental restoration is made to fit the entire affected tooth, giving it a new look. To have a crown installed, some of your naturally occurring tooth enamel is usually removed so that the crown can properly fit over the affected tooth.
Fillings
When you have holes in your tooth enamel due to cavities, dental fillings are used to fill such cavities. In this procedure, the decayed portion of the tooth is removed, and a tooth-colored composite material is prepared to fill the hole left with the cavity. This process is done with precision, so the teeth do not continue to decay and prevent further damage.
Bridges
A dental bridge is another technique in restorative dentistry, and it is mainly used when replacing a row of missing teeth or a single tooth. The bridge is made up of artificial teeth that mimic your natural teeth with dental crowns. Bridges require that your natural teeth on both sides are altered so that the bridge fits tightly. It combines the shape of natural and artificial teeth and gives them a uniform appearance in your mouth.
Root Canal Therapy
Dentists resort to this type of dental restoration when the cavity or crack in the tooth goes deep enough that it’s deemed necessary that a root canal must be performed.
The Root canal procedure requires the dentist to remove the diseased pulp, including the blood vessels and tiny nerves in your tooth. The next step is to disinfect and clean the insides of the infected tooth and then fill the area. After that, a filling is used to seal the tooth and prevent further bacterial infections.
Rundown
If you have missing, damaged, or decayed teeth, then it is important to schedule a consultation with your dentist. Lumi Dental provides all of the previously mentioned restorative dentistry procedures. Please feel free to contact us in order to restore your oral health.
To avoid the discussed restorative dentistry procedures, it is always important to undergo routine dental check-ups and ensure that you practice great oral hygiene at home. Contact us today to learn more about your dental options.
