Restorative dentistry is one of the most significant branches of dental care, which deals with the necessary repairs and restorations required in case teeth are damaged, decayed, or missing. Such procedures are not solely dentally function-oriented but also work on the cosmetic appeal of your smile. Restorative dentistry can address many types of dental problems, from cavities and crowns to more complex cases requiring bridges or even dental implants as explained by a dentist in Puyallup. Here, you are going to read about the most popular restorative dentistry procedures along with their merits for your health.
1. Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are among the simplest and most common restorative dental procedures performed. These are utilized for tooth decay to treat cavities. A filling is a substance that is used to fill the space left after cleaning out the decayed part of the tooth.
Materials Used:
Fillings can be composed of several materials, including:
- Amalgam (silver): They are durable and cheap, and often used for back teeth where the filling will be mostly out of sight.
- Composite (tooth-colored): A more attractive alternative, often used for front teeth or other visible areas.
- Ceramic: Ideal for larger cavities, very durable, and stain-resistant.
- Gold: extremely long-lasting and durable but not as much commercially because of its looks and price.
2. Crowns
Dental crowns are caps that restore the shape, size, and strength of a tooth that has been severely damaged or weakened from decay, trauma, or after having undergone root canal treatment. A crown is a type of dental restoration that entirely encapsulates a tooth, and it serves to protect the existing structure.
3. Dental Bridges
These are used to replace one or more missing teeth by creating a “bridge” between the existing natural teeth or implants. A bridge is composed of one or more artificial teeth (pontics) that are held up by crowns on either side.
4. Dentures
Dentures are prosthetic devices that are constructed to replace and restore missing teeth, making them removable. They are designed to be fitted in a person’s mouth, and they can either be full (where all teeth get replaced) or partial (in case only a few missed teeth need replacement).
5. Dental Implants
Dental implants are for the long-term restoration of your missing teeth. These are a titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone to replace a root. After the implant has integrated with the bone, a crown, bridge, or denture is placed on top.
6. Root Canal Therapy
A root canal is a method used to preserve the tooth, which is infected or rotten at the center, (pulp; the soft tissue within the tooth). This process includes the laying open of the infected tissue, cleaning away the root canals, and sealing the tooth. It is common to follow this procedure with the placement of a crown over the tooth to re-establish function.
7. Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are also types of dental restorations like fillings except these are crafted in a lab. They can be used to repair larger cavities or damage that cannot be fixed using a traditional filling. Onlays cover one or more cusps (the pointed surfaces of the tooth), while inlays fit between the cusp tips.
8. Periodontal Treatment
If gum disease impacts the tissues that surround and support the teeth, periodontal (gum) treatment may be needed. A typical treatment for plaque and tartar accumulation beneath the gums is deep cleaning, scaling, and root planing. Moderate to advanced cases may require surgical intervention such as gum grafting or flap surgery for the restoration of health within the gums.
Restorative dentistry is helpful in keeping your teeth from staying and working together. However simple (fillings) or advanced (dental implants), these treatments aim to rejuvenate the health and functionality of your smile as well as its appearance.
