Restorative dentistry can provide you with a beautiful smile that you’ll want to show off to everyone. Restorative treatment for teeth can also restore damage from trauma, decay, the aging process, or any other issue. You’ll have the best oral health as well as the best physical health when your teeth and gums are in good condition and well-maintained.
Research has linked poor oral health to serious diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cancer, and other systemic diseases, so it’s vital to maintain good oral health. When your teeth are misaligned, and there are gaps due to missing teeth, your facial structure will become distorted, and your self-confidence will suffer, as will your speech and your ability to chew.
Dentists no longer define cosmetic dentistry as simply cosmetic in nature. Some types of cosmetic and restorative dentistry may be purely for aesthetic reasons, but some are needed for good oral health and good physical health. If you’re concerned about paying for your restorative dentistry treatment, check with your insurance provider first to determine the scope of your benefits. You may be entitled to at least partial reimbursement for the cost of some types of dental restorations.
Another avenue to make restorative dentistry more affordable is a dental membership plan. Although membership plans aren’t insurance, they provide substantial discounts on many types of dental restorations and dental treatment. Usually, there’s no waiting period, no exclusion for pre-existing conditions, and the benefits start immediately upon enrollment.
How Do You Know When You Need Restorative Dentistry ?
If you have missing or damaged teeth, or if your teeth are misaligned or crowded, then restorative dentistry may help you regain your clear speech, the ability to eat your favorite foods, and your self-confidence. Restorative dentistry is any dental treatment that restores your teeth to full functionality. The following are examples of types of dental restorations that can restore functionality to your teeth and mouth.
Bridges
A dental bridge is placed in a gap where there’s a missing tooth or several missing teeth. There’s a crown on either end that anchors the bridge to the adjacent teeth. The crown and the bridge are a permanently installed dental treatment, so you don’t have to worry that they’ll slip or fall out. Since both the bridge and the crown are custom-fitted before they’re fabricated, they’ll match your teeth in shape, color, and size, and should look and function the same as your natural teeth.
Crowns
A dental crown is a cap that’s shaped like your tooth, and it’s permanently installed over the tooth to protect and strengthen your tooth. It’s also used to anchor a bridge or denture. A dental crown is custom-fitted and customized to the shape, shade, and size of your tooth so that it looks the same as your natural tooth. Usually, a crown will require two office visits. The first is to make a mold of your tooth and provide you with a temporary crown if that’s necessary. The second visit will be after the lab returns your custom-made crown. You’ll return to have the temporary removed and the permanent crown installed. The crown will be affixed to your tooth with a very strong dental cement, so you needn’t worry that it will fall out or off.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a very popular restorative dental treatment that can replace missing teeth or teeth that have been severely damaged due to trauma or disease. There are two parts to a dental implant: the post and the crown. The post is usually made of titanium because it’s lightweight and is easily assimilated into the jawbone through a process known as osseointegration. This means that your dental implant will become a permanent part of your jaw, so your implant won’t fall out. First, the post is surgically inserted into the jawbone. Then, when the incision has healed, an abutment is placed first, and then the crown is screwed or glued onto the post. The glue is a very strong, professional cement that permanently attaches the crown to the post.
Dentures
Dentures are another type of restorative treatment for teeth and are available as full dentures or partial dentures, both of which can be used for the upper jaw, the lower jaw, or both. A full removable denture will replace all of the teeth on the upper or lower jaw and is secured to the gums by adhesive or suction. A full denture can also be attached to dental implants that are permanently installed into the jawbone. Implant-supported dentures are also called snap-on dentures and are an increasingly popular alternative to full-mouth implants, which can be very expensive and they’re not always covered by insurance.
A partial denture will replace only some of the teeth on the upper or lower jaw, similar to a bridge. The difference between a bridge and a denture is that a bridge is permanently installed, whereas a denture is removable. In the past, dental implants were defined as cosmetic dentistry, but they’re now used as an adjunct to traditional restorative dentistry.
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Extractions
An extraction is usually the last resort for a dental treatment for a tooth. When part of a tooth remains after treatment, other options become available, such as a filling or crown. However, when a tooth is so damaged that it can’t be saved, your dentist may decide that an extraction is the only option. When that happens, then a bridge or an implant can be used to fill the gap in your teeth. This dental treatment will help maintain the structural integrity of your jaw, which will help keep your other teeth in proper alignment and maintain good facial structure.
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Fillings as Restorative Dentistry
The most common restorative dental treatment most dentists perform is a tooth filling because it replaces a damaged area of the tooth and removes cavities and decay that can cause pain and impair functionality. Fillings work best for small to medium-sized cavities. Larger cavities may require a crown or an implant because a large filling can compromise the strength of the tooth and cause problems in the future. Fillings can be used for both temporary and permanent teeth.
Full Mouth Dental Implants
Full mouth dental implants are often used for those who are missing half or more of their teeth or have advanced periodontal disease. A single implant or bridge might be a better option for those who have most of their natural teeth. Usually, those who have healthy teeth but want to improve their smile aren’t eligible for full-mouth dental implants. Those who are pregnant, undergoing chemotherapy, smoke, or have severe medical conditions may not be good candidates for full-mouth implants because it requires the use of a general anesthetic.
When you need full-mouth dental implants, your oral surgeon will extract any remaining teeth, and the implants will be surgically implanted. You’ll receive a temporary denture to wear until your incisions have healed. When they’ve fully healed, you’ll return to have your permanent crowns installed. Not everyone is a good candidate for full-mouth implants, though, so your dentist will discuss this with you.
Root Canals
If you have a cavity that has extended to the root of your tooth, you may need a root canal. Although infection most commonly causes the need for a root canal, an injury to the tooth can also be the culprit. During the root canal procedure, the dentist cleans and disinfects the soft pulpy interior of the tooth and the root canal. The site is then rinsed thoroughly and filled with a rubbery substance called gutta-percha. The hull of the tooth is then filled with a substance similar to that used for filling a tooth. Since the inside has been cleaned and sealed, it can no longer be infected or painful, and the tooth is functional once again.
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Tooth Whitening
One of the most popular cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures is tooth whitening. The in-office procedure takes about an hour, and you may receive an aftercare kit to maintain the white appearance of your teeth. However, not everyone is a good candidate for the tooth whitening procedure. It depends on the reason your teeth are discolored. Even those who aren’t good candidates for the tooth-whitening procedure can achieve a beautifully white smile, however, so don’t despair. Your dentist will discuss your options with you if you’re not a good candidate for these types of dental restorations.
Veneers Restorative Dentistry
One of the most popular restorative dentistry treatments we offer, veneers are very thin shells of porcelain that are bonded to your teeth using a powerful adhesive. They’re commonly used to cover minor imperfections such as broken, chipped, crooked, or misshapen teeth, and they’re sometimes used to whiten teeth that may otherwise be resistant to whitening efforts. The veneers are applied only to the front of the teeth, but they provide a perfect or near-perfect smile. Veneers are much faster, more convenient, and more comfortable than braces or other types of restorative dental work.
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Looking For Restorative Dentistry In North Hollywood, CA?
If you live in the North Hollywood, CA area and need any types of restorative dentistry, then Victory Plaza Dental Group should be your first call. Our staff of skilled specialists are proficient at all types of dental restorations, so whatever type of restorative dentistry you need, we can help you. We’re available Monday through Saturday, and you can call us at 713-322-8811 to book an appointment, or you can book an appointment online at your convenience. We offer periodic specials on all types of dental restorations, so if you need restorative dentistry, check our website. We accept most major insurance plans for all types of dental restorations, and we accept most PPO insurance plans as well as most major credit cards.
If You Need Restorative Dentistry…
If you need restorative dentistry, then call us today. Don’t delay seeking the dental treatment that you need because that can make the problem worse. We’re one of the best in the area for all types of dental restorations, and we can restore the look and function of your teeth as well as the aesthetics of your beautiful smile, so call us today. You’ll be glad you did.