Restorative Dentistry
The purpose of restorative dentistry is to improve the health of your gums and return proper form and function to your teeth so you can chew and speak properly. This is done with treatments ranging from amalgam, tooth-colored fillings and porcelain crowns to dentures, dental bridges and root canal therapy when necessary.
It begins with a thorough examination to assess your oral health. If you have gum disease or cavities, we want to address the active disease first. Then we can move on to other areas of importance.
Cosmetics also play a significant role in restorative dentistry. We can restore form and function to your mouth with aesthetics in mind. Types of restorative treatments we often recommend include:
Dental amalgam
These are “silver” fillings made from a mixture of metals. They are a tried and true restoration of dental decay for the posterior, or “back,” teeth.
Tooth-colored fillings
We can repair decayed teeth with composite material that matches your natural tooth structure. The final result is a restoration that goes disease-free.
Porcelain/gold crowns
Teeth that are severely damaged by trauma or decay often need a crown to protect the compromised tooth from additional damage. A crown is a sturdy porcelain/gold cap that is sculpted to feel and function like your natural tooth. It covers the entire tooth surface and porcelain crowns are matched to the shade of the neighboring teeth.
Bridges
Those who are missing several teeth often can benefit from a bridge. A bridge includes two crowns that are secured to your natural teeth on either side of the area where you are missing teeth. Those natural teeth serve as anchors for the bridge. A false tooth is secured to the bridge to fill the gap left by the missing tooth. This is an affordable way to restore chewing and speaking ability and to prevent your natural teeth from shifting out of position, which can lead to other oral problems.
Dentures
If you are missing all of your teeth, these removable appliances are a way of restoring your smile and your ability to speak and chew properly. When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, your mouth can take on a sunken appearance, and the end result is that you look older. Dentures are a way to fill out the appearance of your face and profile, and to provide much-needed support for your cheeks and lips.
Partial dentures
You might be a candidate for partial dentures if you are missing several or most of your teeth, but still have some healthy natural teeth remaining. Partial dentures can have metal clasps that attach to your teeth or other connectors that are less noticeable.
The Oral Health/Overall Health Connection
Your oral health is important for your overall health. When a damaged tooth is not addressed or gum disease goes untreated, it can spread infection and cause pain in other areas of your body. Resolving these problems not only gives you a reason to smile; it also helps you remain healthy.