Restorative Dentistry Austin, TX
Restorative dentistry involves processes that focus on replacing missing, damaged, or decayed teeth. The major aim of this branch of dentistry is to improve the overall dental health and chewing ability of a patient.
How Does Restorative Dentistry Restore the Shape and Function of Natural Teeth?
Restorative dentistry incorporates many dental treatments to save teeth from decay and damage. It achieves this purpose by:
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Repairing minor damage by cavities through dental fillings, inlays and onlays.
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Restoring the shape of a tooth with structural restorations like crowns and fillings.
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Replacing missing teeth or extracted teeth with artificial restorations like dental implants, bridges and dentures.
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Treating the decay and bacterial infection in tooth pulp with procedures like root canals. |
Restorative dentistry is different from cosmetic dentistry in the sense that restorative dentistry involves procedures that treat diseased and decayed teeth. Cosmetic dental treatments are not medically necessary and are only performed to improve the appearance of teeth.
Types of Restorative Dentistry
There are many treatments that are covered under restorative dentistry to repair damaged, injured or missing teeth of patients.
Dental bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth. In this procedure, a missing tooth is replaced by a crown that is anchored by two dental crowns on either side, fitted over real teeth. To accommodate the dental bridge, a dentist will shave or grind the two real teeth so that a bridge can cover them.
Dentures are prosthetic teeth that are fixed or removable and replace multiple teeth. Typically dentures are the most common solution to replace all the missing teeth when dental implants are not possible due to gum disease or advanced dental decay.
Dental crowns are tooth-colored caps that replace a part of the missing tooth structure due to root canal procedure, chipping or fracture of teeth, or decay caused by cavities. Crowns are full-coverage restorations that improve the appearance and function of a damaged or decayed tooth. Areas of the tooth that are too small for crowns, but larger than a filling, require an inlay or an onlay
Dental fillings are made from gold, porcelain, or tooth-colored plastic to restore teeth with minor or moderate cavities. Fillings are also used to repair broken or worn teeth. Dental fillings are usually covered by dental insurance as they are used to treat dental problems caused by trauma and cavities.
Dental implants are screw-like posts that are surgically inserted in the jawbone. They are connected to an abutment and serve as a base for many dental restoration options like dental crowns, bridges or dentures. Dental implants serve as missing tooth roots, which provide proper stimulation to the jawbone, thus preventing its deterioration and atrophy that can cause facial sagging.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), allows us to move our joint forwards, backward, and side-to-side. Any problems that prevent us from using this joint properly are known as TMD or temporomandibular joint disorders. We provide some treatments designed to alleviate any pain or discomfort associated with the TMJ.
Common Materials Used for Dental Restorations
A variety of dental materials are used in the different processes of restorative dentistry, such as dental crowns, fillings, dentures, and implants. The following are the most commonly used materials.
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Metals
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Ceramics
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Composites
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Polymers
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Denture base resins. |
Oral surgeons and dentists highly recommend dental implants as the most durable and comfortable dental restoration option. If taken care of properly, dental implants can last a lifetime. Our dental professionals Dr. Thomas Gent and Dr. Audrey Su recommend every patient take care of their oral health. At Sola Smile Co., we believe that treating any disease or decay present in your teeth is essential to avoid complications, so call us at 512-615-9405 to book an appointment with our dentists.
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