7 Types of Restorative Dentistry Options

Updated on August 9, 2022
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Every single day, we brush our teeth at least twice to maintain good oral health. After all, we only have one set of adult teeth for the entire duration of our lives.

It would not do well for them to get damaged, which may cause issues for our general health. Thanks to modern advances in dentistry, many options are available to help fix dental problems, regardless of whether they are severely damaged or superficially flawed. 

The ultimate goal of restorative dentistry procedures is to preserve natural teeth as much as possible. 

You should find a dentist, such as the doctors of Napa Family Dental, who offer several restorative treatments and will work with you to choose the best option for your situation. 

Skilled dentists will work with your existing tooth structure to help restore your smile. If you have a decayed tooth or any other dental issue, read on for some of the common types

of restorative dentistry options that can manage it.

By getting a clear idea of these choices, you will be better prepared to get your confident smile back.  

Fillings

Dental fillings are a ubiquitous dental procedure that is safe and effective. This method fills in decayed portions of your teeth.

These cavities are filled to prevent more decay from occurring and preserving the health of the overall tooth.

While fillings function to preserve your teeth and look like part of them, they require their own maintenance.

Most fillings can last for years but will ultimately need to be replaced to continue serving their purpose.  

Crowns and Veneers

In restorative dentistry, crowns do not go over your head. Instead, they are tooth-shaped caps placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength.

Crowns are used when fillings are not enough to cover the damage. There are different materials used for crowns, but porcelain is common and blends well with the rest of the tooth. 

Veneers form a shell around the entire tooth. These thin but durable shells are bonded directly to your tooth to help restore its function. 

Like crowns, veneers are commonly made from porcelain as well. These are permanently affixed and do not need replacement.

Bridges

A dental bridge is extremely useful in preventing gaps when you have one or more missing

teeth.

A false tooth is placed in the cavity where the natural tooth used to be and is held in place by crowns on the adjacent teeth. 

This method ensures that there are minimal gaps between the teeth and produces a straight and even smile. Besides, you will find yourself having a comfortable and natural bite. 

Implants

If you do not want to have your other teeth carved down so that a bridge can be installed, you can replace a missing tooth using an implant.

The implant is rooted down and secured using a metal screw. Implants tend to be capped off with a crown and make it look like your other teeth.

They do not need to be replaced once properly put into place, but the crown may require changing.

Composite Bonding

If you have cracked, chipped, or broken teeth, composite bonding may be your best choice. A dentist will use a tooth-colored resin as a filling to help fix these problems. 

Very little of your original tooth will be removed in the process. Composite bonding can also handle other cosmetic issues such as large gaps between the teeth and stained or discolored teeth.

Root Canals

Should your tooth be too damaged for restoration with any of the procedures mentioned

above, a root canal may be necessary.

Root canals clean out the decay from the root of your damaged tooth to help prevent further damage and restore its health.

The hole is then filled with a rubber composite, adding an onlay or inlay, before being capped off with a crown.  

Dentures

Dentures are removable false teeth that fit perfectly in your mouth. They can be partial or full, depending on the number of teeth missing.

Unlike implants or veneers, dentures have to be removed and cleaned daily to ensure the continued health of your mouth. 

Take Care of Your Restorative Dentistry Work

Once your dentist has restored your beautiful smile, you want to be sure to preserve the work that was done.

Be sure to:

  • Brush your teeth after every meal
  • Use dental floss to remove anything the toothbrush misses and keep your gums healthy
  • Consider using an electric toothbrush to remove the plaque a regular toothbrush could miss
  • Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash to help fight plaque and bacteria buildup
  • Try to avoid eating sticky or chewy foods that could cause damage

Whatever it is that has impacted your smile, restorative dentistry procedures can help. 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.