Summary
The quest for healthy smiles is as old as humanity itself. A groundbreaking discovery of a 6,500-year-old human jawbone with a beeswax filling reveals our ancestors’ innovative approach to dental care. This ancient remedy, designed to soothe tooth pain, marks the dawn of dentistry.
Fast forward to today, and dental science has evolved dramatically. Yet, the core principle remains the same: preserving oral health and enhancing smiles. When discussing your treatment with your dentist, read all about restorative dentistry to make informed decisions.
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What is restorative dentistry?
Restorative dentistry refers to any dental procedure that involves repairing or replacing teeth. If you visit a restorative dentist, it could be for one of two reasons: to restore your teeth’s function or improve their appearance. These procedures can also help you in:
- Eliminating pain caused by an infected tooth
- Preventing dental issues from escalating further
- Preserving jaw bone density
- Maintaining your mouth’s optimal health
Common Restorative Treatments
Fillings
Fillings are like patches for your teeth! When a cavity, a tiny hole caused by bacteria, forms in your tooth, a dentist removes the decayed part and fills it with a material like silver amalgam or tooth-colored composite resin and porcelain. Composite fillings look more natural and are often preferred for visible teeth. Did you know about 78 million dental fillings are placed annually in the United States? That’s a lot of patched-up smiles!
Crowns
When a tooth is too weak, decayed, or damaged, a dental crown is like a cap that covers it to protect and strengthen it. Crowns can be made from porcelain, metal, or a combination. They not only restore the tooth’s shape but also improve its appearance. If taken care of, dental crowns can last for up to 15 years. Crowns are tough and can resist chipping or damage even when biting on something hard. The latest technologies allow you to create a custom-fitted crown on the same day, too.
Bridges
Missing a tooth? A dental bridge can be your tooth’s new neighbor! It’s like a little bridge that connects to the teeth on either side of the gap. A bridge is a crown with artificial teeth that allows one to replace one tooth or a row of missing teeth. Bridges offer a natural-looking solution for tooth loss. There are four main types of dental bridges:
- traditional
- cantilever
- Maryland
- implant-supported
Bridges can be made from different materials, including porcelain, metal, or a combination. They restore your smile and help prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of place.
Root Canals
Root canals might sound scary, but they’re actually a lifesaver for your teeth! It’s a procedure to repair the pulp, which is key in providing nourishment to the surrounding material. When the pulp inside your tooth becomes infected or inflamed, a root canal is needed.
The dentist extracts the infected pulp and seals the tooth with a specialized permanent filling called gutta-percha to prevent further problems. Root canal therapy will usually save the tooth and eliminate the pain caused by the infected pulp.
It might sound painful, but modern dentistry uses anesthesia to make the procedure comfortable. Saving a tooth with a root canal is often more cost-effective than extracting it and replacing it with an implant or bridge.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are medical devices surgically implanted into the jaw. They are an advanced surgical procedure that helps prevent rapid bone loss and gives relief from defective speech or changes to chewing patterns.
They are artificial tooth roots surgically placed into your jawbone to help restore your natural chewing function and give a clean appearance, too. Once healed, a crown is attached, giving you a tooth that looks and functions just like a natural one. Did you know that dental implants have a success rate of over 95%?
Dentures
Dentures are easy-to-remove replacements for missing teeth. They fit snugly over the gums and act as teeth replacements to prevent possible troubles caused by gaps. They can be either a complete set or just partially. Complete or full dentures replace all teeth in your top or bottom jaw; partial dentures fill gaps where teeth are missing.
The dentist will create a series of impressions of your jaw to know how your jaws relate to one another and how much space is between them. Acrylic resin dentures are made of acrylic resin and can be customized to match the natural appearance of your teeth. Regular care and cleaning are essential to keep your dentures in good condition.
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Choosing a Restorative Dentist
Whether you’re looking for a temporary or permanent tooth solution, you want your dentist to suggest and explain all your options. Distinguishing between good and great dental services comes to the quality of priority for customers and dental expertise. With this guide, you can familiarize yourself with the terms dentists will use to better perceive the treatments suggested by the dentist.
Available procedures
Based on the above-listed restorative dental procedures, you may require one or more of them. When meeting with the dentist, you must understand if the office provides all of the procedures. Most dentists specialize in one or two of the procedures and can refer you to another professional in the same clinic with another specialization.
Qualifications and experience
If you’re looking for quality restorative dentistry in Jacksonville, you must evaluate the past customer’s feedback and experience. Most dental practices have a website with details, including dentist’s services, qualifications, testimonials, and more listed on the website. In addition, check with known persons about their feedback on the services.
Financing
Some restorative procedures are expensive and may hinder your thoughts on proceeding. Ask your dentist about the payment plans for procedures that are covered or not covered under your dental insurance. In consultation, you can ask these queries and understand what options you have to make the payments. The complexity of the procedure and the materials employed, along with the tentative follow-ups required, can add up the costs. This is also where the dentist’s expertise comes into play. A trusted dental office will share these details upfront with you.
Takeaway
- Restorative dentistry is at the forefront for maintaining oral health and restoring function to your smile.
- From simple fillings to complex dental implants, there’s a solution for every dental need.
- Get started with Cherokee Family Dental for the perfect appearance of your teeth.