The goal of restorative dentistry is to repair or replace damaged teeth in order to restore dental function. While some restorative procedures may also serve a cosmetic purpose to improve your smile, the main object is to regain or maintain your chewing capabilities. When tooth decay or dental trauma occurs, there are many ways to save the natural teeth or replace them when necessary.
Are you in need of restorative dental treatment? If so, Meadows Dental Associates provides a wide variety of procedures. Learn more about what our practice has to offer through this overview of restorative dentistry options.
Restorative Services We Provide
- Fillings. Cavities are holes or pits that develop in teeth due to a buildup of plaque bacteria that eats away at the enamel. When cavities are small, the best treatment option is a filling. We provide composite fillings that match your natural tooth color. Composite resin can be customized to blend in with your tooth enamel for a natural look. When composite fillings are hardened using a UV light, they are extremely strong and durable.
- Root Canal Treatment. In cases of large cavities, dental trauma, or cracked teeth, root canal treatment may be needed. At the center of each tooth is soft tissue called dental pulp. If bacteria invades the root canal containing the dental pulp, an infection can develop. Root canal treatment involves removing the dental pulp and filling the tooth with a replacement material that is resistant to infection. A root canal may be done to treat an infection or to prevent it.
- Inlays and Onlays. When decay or damage leaves a tooth without enough enamel for a filling, an inlay or onlay may be used to repair the tooth. A piece of porcelain can be attached to the inside or outside of a tooth to restore its natural shape. It is bonded to the existing tooth with a strong adhesive that is designed to withstand the force of chewing.
- Dental Crowns. If the damage to the natural tooth enamel is too extensive for other restorative procedures, a dental crown may be placed over the tooth. The natural tooth is reduced in size to make room for the crown to fit over the top. The crown may be made of porcelain, metal (gold or base metal), or porcelain fused to metal. A crown protects the tooth while leaving the natural root in place for support.
- Dental Bridges. In cases where a tooth is missing or can’t be saved, a dental bridge is a replacement option. A bridge consists of one or two crowns that fit over the remaining teeth on each side of the missing tooth. An artificial tooth called a pontic is suspended between the crowns. The pontic sits on top of the gums and is supported by the crowns on either side.
- Dental Implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed in the jaw. It is made of biocompatible titanium that fuses with the bone in your jaw to form a solid bond to support an artificial tooth. Dental implants provide a natural look and function that achieves the closest possible replacement for your own teeth.
- Dentures. When multiple or all of the teeth need to be replaced, dentures provide a functional and cosmetic solution. Traditional dentures attach to the gums via suction or adhesives. Partial dentures may attach to the remaining teeth with clasps. Implant supported dentures require 4-6 dental implants to be placed in the jaw, providing a secure anchor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Dentistry
What are the benefits of restorative dentistry?
Restorative dentistry has many benefits. In many cases restorative procedures allow you to keep your natural teeth in place. In other cases restorative procedures involve replacing teeth that can’t be saved. In either case your chewing capabilities and smile are restored.
How long do the results of restorative procedures last?
It depends on the type of procedure. Fillings, root canals, and dental implants often last a lifetime. Crowns, bridges and dentures may last 10-15 years or more.
Learn More From Meadows Dental Associates
If you’re in need of restorative dental care, call Meadows Dental Associates at or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.
Restorative dentistry aims to repair or replace teeth in order to restore their health and function. Over the years many restorative procedures have been used in dentistry and new techniques are being developed daily. Learn about the latest trends in restorative dentistry that are available in Sarasota, Florida.
Tried and True Restorative Procedures
These procedures have been used for many years to restore the health of teeth:- Fillings. Fillings have been used to treat cavities for many years. They used to be made of metal, but now tooth-colored composite material is used for cosmetic and restorative benefits.
- Root canal. A root canal is a procedure that removes the soft tissue from the center of a tooth and replaces it with a filler material that is resistant to infection.
- Inlays and onlays. When a tooth has significant decay or damage beyond what a filling can repair, an inlay or onlay is a piece of porcelain that is used to patch the tooth.
- Crowns. A crown is a tooth-shaped cover placed over a tooth that is severely damaged or decayed, and protects teeth from fracture.It allows the root of the tooth to remain in place for support.
- Bridges. A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth in a row using the neighboring teeth for support.
- Dentures. Dentures can replace multiple or all of the teeth at once in either the upper or lower jaw, sometimes both.
Advanced Restorative Procedures
The most advanced technology in restorative dentistry includes the following procedures:- Dental implants. The most advanced technology in tooth replacement is the dental implant, an artificial tooth root made of titanium that bonds with the jaw bone. A dental implant acts as an anchor for a dental crown to replace a single tooth.
- Implant-supported bridges. One or two dental implants can be used to support a bridge when there are multiple teeth in a row that need to be replaced.
- Implant-supported dentures. When it is necessary to replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, 4-6 dental implants can be placed to support a full arch denture. Implant-supported dentures stay securely in place while you eat and talk for improved function and appearance.
- Bone grafting and sinus lift. When the jaw bone is not thick enough or solid enough to support a dental implant, bone grafting or a sinus lift can increase bone volume and density to make dental implants possible.