What Types of Restorations Do Dentists Offer?

Have you ever wondered what your dentist can do to restore that sparkling smile or mended bites beyond the standard drill and fill? Dentistry has made leaps and bounds, offering an array of options to repair, maintain, or totally revamp your pearly whites. Let’s talk about the various types of restorations dentists provide to keep those chompers looking and functioning at their best.

What Is Restorative Dentistry? 

When teeth have gone on the fritz due to decay, injury, or wear, restorative dentistry steps in to save the day. This branch of dental science focuses on repairing and restoring the integrity and function of your teeth. If you’re looking for expert restorative dental care, you’ll find that there’s a tailored solution for just about any dental issue you might encounter.

Types of Restoration Treatments

1. Dental Fillings and Repairs

Let’s start with the basics. Dental fillings are the MVPs when it comes to tackling cavities. These nifty little restorations come in various materials, including amalgam, composite, gold, and porcelain. Your dentist will remove the decayed portion of your tooth and fill it up with material that will mesh nicely with your natural tooth structure.

Now, if a tooth is chipped or cracked but not quite ready to sign off on a tooth fairy contract, dental repairs using bonding agents can come to the rescue. Tooth-colored composite resin is sculpted onto your tooth, recreating its original shape and function. It’s like artistic restoration but for your teeth.

2. Dental Crowns

Think of dental crowns as fancy hats for your teeth. When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed beyond the help of a simple filling, a crown is crafted to cap the entire tooth. It’s designed to resemble your other teeth so well that no one will even know it’s there, except maybe for you and your dentist.

3. Dentures and Bridges

Missing teeth don’t just leave a gap in your smile, but they can also affect how you speak and eat. Enter dentures and bridges — the dynamic duo of dental restorations. Dentures are removable prostheses that can replace a few or all of your teeth. Bridges, on the other hand, use neighboring teeth as anchors to bridge the gap with a false tooth or teeth.

4. Root Canal Therapy

Sudden dental pain? A knocked-out tooth from an impromptu soccer match? When dental crises hit, it’s an emergency dentist you’ll be rushing to see. Aurora IL emergency dentist experts are on hand to tackle those urgent tooth matters. However, in some instances, root canal therapy may be needed. Hence, referral to a trusted root canal provider is warranted. 

Feel a shiver down your spine when you hear “root canal.”? It’s not the dental horror story you might think. This procedure removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside your tooth, thereby eliminating pain and saving the tooth from extraction. Afterward, the hollowed-out tooth gets a filling or a crown to give it back its full function and appearance.

5. Dental Implants

So, you’ve lost a tooth, and dentures or bridges are not your jam. Fear not, because dental implants might be just what the dentist ordered. With quality dental implants near Aurora, you can get that missing tooth replaced with something that feels and looks like the real deal. 

Dental implants comprise a titanium post (acting as a new root) implanted into your jawbone, over which a realistic dental crown is placed. It is a stellar, long-term solution with a natural feel, preserving jawbone and facial structure.

Types of Dental Implants

• Endosteal Implants: These are the most common type, drilled directly into the jawbone for rock-solid support.

• Subperiosteal Implants: Sitting atop the jawbone but beneath the gum line, these are alternatives if you don’t have enough bone for traditional implants.

• Mini Implants: Like their larger counterparts but smaller, these can be a good option for stabilizing lower dentures or in areas with limited space.

6. Veneers, Inlays, and Onlays

Not all tooth troubles require taking over the whole tooth kingdom. For those situations, veneers, inlays, and onlays are the knights in shining armor. Veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells tailored to cover the front surface of your teeth, perfect for when you want to correct discoloration, chipped teeth, and even minor misalignment issues.

• Inlays: Think of these as precision-engineered fillings made in a lab and cemented to your tooth, ideal for larger cavities where a conventional filling wouldn’t cut it.

• Onlays: They take it a step further by covering one or more cusps of the tooth, sort of a conservative crown.

Your dentist will help you decide on the best restoration option based on your unique dental needs. Veneers might be a top pick for cosmetic improvement, whereas inlays and onlays come to the rescue when a standard filling doesn’t provide enough support.

Maintaining Your Dental Restorations

Maintaining dental restorations is crucial for preserving both their aesthetic appeal and functional integrity. Here are some essential tips for ensuring the longevity of your dental restorations:

• Maintain Proper Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from around your restorations. This helps prevent decay and gum disease, which can compromise the longevity of dental restorations.

• Regular Dental Check-ups: Schedule routine dental check-ups and cleanings with your dentist every six months or as recommended. These appointments allow your dentist to assess the condition of your dental restorations, detect any signs of damage or decay early on, and provide necessary maintenance or repairs.

• Avoid Chewing Hard Substances: Refrain from chewing on hard candies, ice cubes, pencils, or other hard objects that can potentially damage dental restorations or natural teeth. Excessive force can cause chips, cracks, or dislodgement of restorations.

• Avoid Using Teeth as Tools: Do not use your teeth as tools to open packages, tear tape, or remove bottle caps. This can exert unnecessary pressure on dental restorations and increase the risk of damage or displacement.

• Protective Night Guard: If you grind or clench your teeth at night (bruxism), wearing a custom-fitted night guard can help protect both your natural teeth and dental restorations from excessive wear and damage. Consult your dentist to determine if a night guard is suitable for your needs.

• Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Maintain a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals to support overall oral health and prevent decay. Limit consumption of sugary and acidic foods and beverages, which can contribute to enamel erosion and dental decay.

• Address Issues Promptly: If you experience any discomfort and sensitivity or notice changes in the appearance or function of your dental restorations, contact your dentist promptly for evaluation and necessary treatment. Early intervention can help prevent further complications and preserve the longevity of your restorations.

By following these guidelines and maintaining regular dental care, you can help ensure the durability and effectiveness of your dental restorations, allowing you to enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.

Final Thoughts

Taking a step back, it’s clear that the field of dental restorations encompasses a wide range of procedures, technologies, and skilled craftsmanship — all designed with your oral health and confidence in mind. From fillings to implants and from the expected to the unforeseen, dentists have an impressive toolkit to rebuild, protect, and enhance your teeth.