- Founded in 1868
- Headquartered in New York City, NY
Beyond Fillings: Exploring the World of Restorative Dentistry
Prosthodontics or restorative dentistry is concerned with the rehabilitation and restoration of teeth and oral tissues for functional well-being. This field entails different procedures for restoring damaged teeth. Cosmetic dentistry and prosthetic dentistry may seem to have similarities, but they are quite distinct in their function. Cosmetic dental treatment mainly focuses on the aesthetic aspect of the teeth, while restorative dentistry seeks to correct actual problems.
Differentiating Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry
The similarity between restorative and cosmetic dentistry is most apparent in the goals, which are to make smiles more appealing. However, restorative dentistry comes in handy when the teeth are damaged to the extent that the patient may develop infections. Cavity can also be a result of severe trauma that affects tooth structure and may lead to more serious consequences such as infections and brittle teeth. When left untreated, the lesion progresses through the layers of ‘enamel,” leading to severe oral health complications.
Addressing Oral Health Issues
Restorative dentistry essentially involves the treatment of a range of oral concerns to stave off infection and tooth decay. This is in the form of receding gums, nucleated, fissured, or caved-in gums, absent tooth, or a broken down tooth. There are several approaches that can be applied to respond to these challenges optimally and, at the same time, in an efficient and timely manner.
Common Restorative Procedures
Here are some of the most common restorative dental treatments:
- Dental Crowns They are restorative tooth-shaped coverings of teeth that are decayed, weakened, or have an abnormally formed surface. It protects the bones from fractures and also gives the body a framework.
- Dental Bridges Dentures act as a replacement for missing teeth by placing the artificial teeth between healthy natural teeth. The corrective dental appliances align specific problematic teeth and maintain the correct position to all other teeth, thereby enabling patients to bite, chew, and talk without difficulty.
- Root Canal Therapy In case the tooth decay goes to the pulp, a root canal procedure is required. During the procedure, the dentist drills an opening through the crown, drills down into the root canals, and then scoops out the diseased pulp, washes out the tooth, and fills it with a rubber-like substance known as gutta-percha. A filling seals the tooth to prevent other bacteria from penetrating into it.
Importance of Restorative Dentistry
There are several reasons why restorative dental care is important. Firstly, it enables the use of teeth for functions like chewing and speaking, which are basic human functions. Secondly, it stops the worsening of the teeth, gums, and jaws’ health status, such as tooth loss, gum diseases, receding gums, and loss of jawbone density. Finally, it recreates the beauty of smiles lost through various conditions, thus improving the quality of life for the clients.
Impact on Overall Health
Oral diseases are not isolated to the inside of the mouth but are linked with adverse heart and lung health, diabetes, and other severe diseases. Most do not know that the same diseases can be attributed to bad oral hygiene or unhealthy teeth. These bacteria within the mouth can spread to other internal organs of the body, such as the heart.
One should also maintain good oral hygiene so that the accumulation of bacteria can be limited to an acceptable level. If proper oral hygiene is not practiced, bacteria may begin to form, which could lead to serious health problems in the long run. To keep your gums healthy and your body strong, always practice proper care of the teeth and visit a dentist when necessary.
Conclusion
At Smiley Dental, we understand the importance of keeping not only your teeth and gums healthy but also yours. We want to assure you and your family that our team is committed to delivering the highest quality of restorative dentistry to help you regain the perfect functioning of your teeth and their esthetics. Let us assist you in getting a healthy and beautiful smile.
