When patients experience damage to their teeth and gums, restoration procedures are necessary to correct their smile and maintain oral health. Restorative dental work helps minimize pain, improve chewing function and protects the health of surrounding teeth and bone structure. It is also a great way to enhance a patient’s smile and self-esteem.
While cosmetic dentistry is designed to enhance the appearance of a smile, restorative dentistry procedures focus on repairing and replacing teeth that are damaged or missing. These procedures include dental fillings, crowns, bridges, and dental implants.
The best way to prevent needing restorative dental procedures is to practice proper oral hygiene. This includes daily tooth brushing, flossing and regular professional teeth cleanings. Patients should also visit their dentist regularly for routine checkups and dental X-rays. This will allow their dentist to identify potential problems and treat them early, which may reduce treatment costs and discomfort.
However, sometimes even with the most diligent dental care, our teeth can begin to decay or become broken or cracked. For these situations, our skilled restorative team can repair your smile and help you get back to smiling confidently again.
There are many different types of restorative dental treatments. Depending on the type of damage, a dentist will recommend the appropriate procedure. For example, a cavity will be repaired with a dental filling, which removes the decayed portion of the tooth and fills in the gap. More severe cavities or cracks may require a crown, which is a cap that covers the entire tooth and restores its shape. Missing teeth can be replaced with dental bridges or implants, which are anchored to adjacent healthy teeth. These restorations will help minimize the space where bacteria can grow and prevent additional stress on nearby natural teeth.
A good restoration dentist will consider the age, medical history and lifestyle of a patient when designing their restoration plan. For example, geriatric patients will need to be treated with the consideration of their limited mobility and the presence of other diseases that may affect their mouth or jaw movement. A dentist will also ensure that children are not overtreated with restorative procedures and their permanent teeth are protected while growing. This is because the teeth that are grown in will determine the future of their oral health. Similarly, teens will need to be treated with the understanding that their teeth are still developing and they have not yet achieved full bone density. A good restoration dentist in Torrance, CA will take these issues into account while planning their treatment for a happy, healthy and youthful smile.