Restorative dental treatments help you restore your smile to its former glory. Broken, damaged, or missing teeth don’t have to be permanent problems. Whether it’s to fix your smile, prevent further damage, or stop the pain, there are multiple restorative treatments from which to choose.
1. Fillings Are the Most Common
The most common restorative dental treatment is a filling. These are made to repair cavities and prevent further damage. Since bacteria will continue destroying your tooth, your dentist can clear out any decay using composite material to seal the hole. An additional benefit is that the filling matches your tooth, masking the damage.
2. Crowns for Extensive Damage
Crowns are another common restorative dental treatment if a filling isn’t possible. These are also used for broken or cracked teeth. In this treatment, the outer portion of the tooth is smoothed down, and a cap is placed over the tooth. This crown protects your tooth from further damage and matches your surrounding teeth.
3. Root Canal Helps With Inner Damage
When the inside of your tooth is damaged and becomes infected, a root canal may save it. All of the softer inside material of the tooth is cleaned out, along with any infection around the roots. Then, your tooth is filled in much like it would be with a cavity filling.
4. Bonding Hides Imperfections
Chips or broken areas may not need a crown. Instead, bonding recreates the missing area using a composite material that matches your tooth. This fits directly onto the tooth. This is a good option for anyone experiencing smaller areas of tooth damage.
5. Restorative Dental Treatments Fix Missing Teeth
For missing teeth, you’ll likely need to consider either a bridge or an implant. A bridge uses crowns mounted on either side of the missing tooth to anchor the bridge in place. A replacement tooth, typically made of porcelain, fits in the middle and matches your surrounding teeth.
Implants are often the preferred choice, though they don’t require capping of the surrounding teeth. Instead, a metal root is implanted in the jaw, and a crown is then attached. These can last a lifetime with proper care. In addition, you can replace anywhere from a single tooth to all of your teeth. As far as restorative dental treatments for missing teeth go, this is a popular alternative to dentures since you don’t have to remove them.
Want to learn more about restorative dental treatments restoring your smile? Find out how Commonwealth Oral & Facial Surgery ensures a smooth implant experience.