Restoring your Smile with Restorative Dentistry

Restorative Dentistry or "prosthodontic dentistry" is just a term used by dentist and professionals to define the act of replacing missing or damaged teeth or repair missing parts of the tooth's structure. Some more common restorative options are fillings, crowns, bridges and implants. Its main purpose is to restore your usual everyday smile and to prevent oral health issues in the future.

But because the treatment's main goal is for the restoration of your smile, you might think that it's no longer important or necessary. The procedure is still considered essential because teeth replacement not only keeps your teeth properly aligned but like it or not missing teeth affects not only your self-confidence and your looks but your oral health in general as well.

In replacing missing teeth, certain options like dental implants, bridges or full and partial dentures aids in the improvement of dental health as well. Because the weirdly shaped gaps in your mouth are great susceptible areas for the build-up of plaque-causing bacteria. It also puts extra effort on your remaining natural teeth if there isn't enough surface area to chew your food with.

But when deciding what options to take for restorative dentistry, you need to consider not only your physical health but also your financial stability as well, for we all know that this surgery may sometimes be too expensive. Most dentist practising dental restorations though will try their best to maintain your normal teeth before advising you to get full or partial dentures, not just because it will save you money but it will also be more convenient than having to remove and clean up your devices regularly. Although, sometimes full or partial dentures are your best options not only for people who have lots of missing teeth but also for those who have health issues where dental implants won't be advisable.

But thanks to modern technology, nowadays you don't have to worry if your tooth is worn, damaged, decayed or if you are missing a few teeth, because today restoring and preserving your radiant smile or fixing any other dental issues that you might have can now be easily resolved by just a snap of a finger.

There are 2 types of dental restoration, DIRECT and INDIRECT. Direct restoration is considered to be the more immediate approach; it involves filling a prepared tooth cavity immediately and can often be done in a single visit. On the other hand, indirect restoration involves a more personalised approach; it requires the use of customised tooth replacements like crowns, onlays and inlays. It usually requires more than one office visit since everything is being manufactured and assembled in a lab.

The 5 most common teeth restorations are:

FILLINGS:

• teeth can be filled with gold, silver amalgam or tooth-coloured plastic materials called composite resins

CROWNS:

• the tooth-shaped cap placed over a tooth
• brings back the shape, size, strength and appearance of your teeth
• holds a bridge in place
• covers a dental implant

BRIDGES:

• false teeth created to bridge the gap made by 1 or more missing teeth
• held securely on either side by crowns
• permanently cemented in place.

IMPLANTS:

• substitute tooth roots
• fixed on bone sockets of missing teeth
• capped by crowns

DENTURES:

• detachable substitute for missing teeth and surrounding tissues
• made up of acrylic resins often combined with metal attachments.
• COMPLETE DENTURES-replaces all the teeth
• PARTIAL DENTURES-advised when there are still some remaining natural teeth, where denture metal clasps will be attached.

Remember, it doesn't end with restorative dentistry as bacterial plaque can still form around dental restorations which can greatly contribute to the recurrence of the same issue. Tooth decay and periodontal gum diseases can be prevented by controlling this plaque which is the main cause of these types of infections. But with a daily oral hygiene regimen that includes brushing twice a day, flossing and gurgling with mouthwashes are great ways to not just to avoid this diseases, it can also restore your teeth's natural beauty even before restorative dentistry became absolutely necessary.

I am a dentist at Hornsby Dental. I am meticulous when it comes to my restorative, endodontic and prosthodontic clinical work.