Restorative dentistry remedies structural damage to teeth. The treatments repair the patient’s smile, improve their oral health and function, and reduce the risk of future complications.
Dental fillings are the most common restorative dental treatment. They fill holes in the teeth that form cavities, preventing bacteria from entering the pulp inside. Click https://bocadentallasvegas.com/ to learn more.
Dental fillings are among the most common restorative dentistry procedures. When bacteria eat away at your tooth’s enamel, creating a cavity hole, the dentist removes the damaged material and fills the space to restore the tooth’s strength and beauty. Dental fillings can be made from various materials, including amalgam, composite, porcelain, and gold. The type of material chosen depends on your needs and budget and the location and extent of damage to your teeth.
When a tooth is too badly damaged to be repaired with a simple dental filling, it may require a crown. Crowns are built to protect the remaining tooth structure from further decay, and they can be constructed from porcelain, ceramics, gold, or a combination of these materials.
Another important restorative procedure is a root canal, which can save your natural tooth from being lost to infection and help you avoid the need for a partial or complete denture. If you have a root canal, the dentist will remove the infected tissue, clean the area, and then seal and fill it with a special material to prevent bacteria from entering.
Tooth loss and untreated tooth decay can cause serious issues with your oral health and smile. When you are missing one or more teeth, the surrounding teeth may shift out of alignment, and the bone underneath the missing tooth will deteriorate. Restorative dentistry treatments like implants and bridges can replace your missing tooth with a metal screw and crown, replicating its look, feel, and function.
Finally, veneers are thin porcelain shells that bond to your teeth to improve their appearance. You may have heard of people doing this treatment to correct uneven or crooked teeth, but it can also cover up stained or discolored enamel teeth.
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that our dentists use to protect and restore broken or severely decayed teeth. They fit securely on top of a damaged tooth like a snug hat. Because crowns are custom-fabricated from porcelain or zirconia, they look natural. They also reflect light similarly to natural dental enamel, so they will not stand out when you smile.
Our team uses crowns to repair many problems with teeth, including protecting fractured teeth from further damage, restoring weakened or worn-down teeth, covering discolored teeth, and holding dental bridges in place. Crowns can also cover root canal-treated teeth, helping patients keep their natural tooth structure after a treatment that could otherwise cause discomfort or leave them missing teeth.
We offer various dental crown materials to help our patients find the restoration that is right for their needs. Porcelain and ceramic crowns are the most visually appealing options, as they best resemble natural teeth. Traditional metal-alloy crowns are another common choice, as they are extremely durable and long-lasting. We also offer BruxZir crowns made from high-quality Japanese zirconia that have improved light transmission for an even more realistic appearance.
The lifespan of your dental work, including crowns, depends on how well you care for it. Practicing excellent oral hygiene and visiting our practice for regular teeth cleanings, checkups, and fluoride treatments will help prevent tooth decay and other complications that can shorten the lifespan of your dental restorations. We may also recommend mouthguards to reduce the risk of teeth grinding and clenching during sleep, which can cause damage to your natural teeth and crowns.
Behind your teeth, hard enamel and dentin is a living center known as the tooth pulp. The pulp contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that help the tooth grow during development. If the pulp is damaged or diseased, your dentist may recommend a root canal (endodontic treatment) to save it and relieve tooth pain.
A root canal is one of the most common dental treatments. The treatment can be performed by your general dentist or an endodontist, a specialist in root canal therapy. A root canal is usually no more uncomfortable than getting a regular filling.
The dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the affected area during a root canal. They will then make a small opening in the tooth to allow specialized dental instruments to enter the pulp chamber and root canals to clean them. Infected and dead pulp tissue is removed from the canals, and the space is disinfected, filled with an inert, biocompatible material called gutta-percha, and sealed with adhesive dental cement.
After the procedure, some sensitivity and discomfort are normal while the tooth heals. To help speed up the healing process, you should avoid biting or chewing with the treated tooth until it is fully healed. It is also important to practice good oral hygiene, including regular professional cleanings, daily brushing, and flossing.
Depending on the extent of your tooth damage or your personal preferences, a dental crown might be used to cover and protect the repaired tooth. A crown is an artificial tooth made of porcelain or gold, and it looks very realistic compared to your natural teeth. If the underlying tooth is too weak to support a crown, the dentist might need to trim it down slightly before fitting the cap.
Dental implants are long-lasting replacements for missing teeth. They fuse into or onto the jawbone, which helps keep them in place without sliding around like traditional dentures can. They also function like real teeth, allowing patients to chew and speak easily.
They’re usually made from titanium, a biocompatible material that fuses with the bone over time through osseointegration. This ensures the implant will remain in place and not affect nearby teeth, facial bones, or overall health.
There are two types of dental implants: screw-type and cylinder-form. Screw-type implants are threaded, which allows them to transmit more biting force than cylinder-form implants, and they’re often used in the lower jaw. Cylinder-form implants are more commonly used in the upper jaw.
During the first phase of implant surgery, the area will be injected with local anesthesia to eliminate any pain or discomfort. The oral surgeon will then create an incision in the gum tissue to expose the jawbone. A hole is drilled into the jawbone, and a titanium post is surgically inserted to replace the missing tooth root.
Once the post has healed, which typically takes three to four months, it’s time to attach the abutment and then secure the replacement tooth. A custom-designed crown will be attached to the abutment, which will look and feel like your natural teeth.
Another dental implant procedure is a full-arch restoration, which involves placing four or more artificial teeth on top of the existing teeth. This approach eliminates the need for a bridge or natural teeth to be ground down to support the new prosthetics, and it can often be completed in one day.
Veneers are thin porcelain or composite resin shells that cover crooked, chipped, broken, or stained teeth to improve aesthetics. They are typically considered cosmetic procedures but can also fall under restorative dentistry in some cases. Veneers can correct discoloration from tooth decay, weakened enamel from large dental fillings or bruxism, stains from smoking or medications, and gaps between teeth due to wear or gum disease.
Dental veneers can help patients achieve camera-ready smiles and boost their confidence. In addition, they can strengthen worn teeth. However, the treatment is only appropriate for some. For instance, veneers do not whiten teeth, and the process involves removing a small amount of the tooth, which can make the tooth more sensitive to hot and cold foods. It’s important to discuss the pros and cons of veneers with your dentist before committing to this irreversible procedure.
Getting veneers requires three separate trips to your dentist: one for a consultation and two to prepare and apply them. The first visit will allow you and your dentist to discuss the results you want and some limitations and risks. During this appointment, your dentist will also take X-rays and impressions of the mouth and teeth to prepare for the next steps.
During the second visit, your dentist will remove a small amount of the tooth’s surface to accommodate the veneer. The dentist may also need to test the color and fit of the veneers before applying them using dental cement. Your dentist will also clean off excess cement and check your bite to ensure the veneers are properly positioned. After this, your dentist will schedule a follow-up appointment to examine the veneers and make any necessary adjustments.
