What Type of Cosmetic Dental Procedures Does a Restorative Dentist Perform?

Restorative Dentist West Grove, PA

Broken or missing teeth occur for a variety of reasons and often require the help of a restorative dentist. Whether a person was injured during a sports game or has incisors with years of built-up decay, restorative dentistry is often an option that can repair the damage and help teeth remain functional. Some people confuse restorative and cosmetic dentistry, however.

Cosmetic vs. restorative dentistry

Cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures overlap often, but there is one major difference between the two. A restorative dentist focuses on creating a set of fully functioning teeth using the science of dentistry to achieve results. A cosmetic dentist takes it a step further by working with a patient to create an improved smile. Despite the differences, dentists in both industries use many of the same procedures.

Bridges

After a patient undergoes a tooth extraction, a bridge may be used to cover the area. This insert is comprised of several crowns that the dentist merged and then bonded to the healthy teeth surrounding the gap. This porcelain component bridges the gap, hence the name.

Bonding

Bonding is a restorative dentistry practice done to repair chips or breaks in the teeth. It uses composite materials to recreate the shape of the tooth and bond to cover the portion that is missing or cracked.

Crowns

Crowns, sometimes also known as caps, are used to cover teeth that have experienced significant tooth decay and cannot be repaired with fillings. The crown is made from composite material to cover the entire tooth to protect it from becoming more damaged.

Fillings

Fillings are the most common procedure in restorative dentistry. Made with amalgam (which creates metal fillings) or composite (which creates white ones), fillings repair the structure of teeth that have deteriorated due to decay or cavities.

Implants

Patients who have significant damage to their teeth may decide to go the route of dental implants. The dentist removes the decayed or dying teeth before creating new "roots" with a screw-like metal post. Artificial teeth are then placed on the posts. Dental implants can be just a few teeth, just the top or bottom, or the entire mouth and are meant to last a lifetime. 

The importance of restorative dentistry

Patients who have loose, broken, decaying, or missing teeth should not avoid seeing a dentist. Restorative dentistry is essential. Filling in the spaces where teeth are missing helps to keep the rest of the teeth properly aligned, improving function and averting further damage. Replacing lost teeth also helps to prevent plaque build-up in empty spaces. Finally, people who have gaps in their smiles and do not receive treatment may have lower self-esteem and are more susceptible to other health issues.

Conclusion

Visiting a restorative dentist is the first step to repairing your teeth to create more function, improve your smile, and feel more self-confident. Your dentist can provide you with more information.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesinpa.com or call Jenny Chen Pediatric and Family Dentistry at (610) 400-1588 for an appointment in our West Grove office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Restorative Dentist in West Grove, PA.

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