Any dental operation that restores or replaces a tooth is referred to as restorative dentistry. Cavity fillings, root canals, and even dental implants are all examples of restorative treatments.
This has two goals: restoring the function of the teeth and restoring the aesthetics of the teeth. It’s either one or the other in certain circumstances, and it’s both in others.
These dentists are primarily responsible for the removal and repair of cavities as well as the treatment of other oral problems. They also treat individuals who require dental repairs as a result of trauma or injury.
Treatments from other dental specialties, including endodontics, prosthodontics, and periodontics, are included in this section of dentistry. This is because many patients require complex care, which may necessitate therapy from many specialists.
Restorative Dentistry basically aims to retrieve the natural look, form, and feel of the natural teeth in the following ways:
- Dental fillings or bonding therapy are used to repair affected teeth.
- Active or passive restorations, including Inlays, Onlays, crowns, or fillings, are used to replace lost tooth structures.
- Artificial restorations, like implants, bridges, or dentures, are used to completely replace lost teeth.
Materials used for Restorative Dentistry
The cornerstone of tooth structure replacement is restorative dental materials. They make cavity fillings, crowns, implants, dentures, and other restorations, among other things.
Some of the popular and frequently used materials are Ceramics, Polymers, Amalgam alloys, Metals, Composites, Glass Ionomers, Denture Base Resins, Noble and Base Metals, etc.
How is Restorative Dentistry different from Cosmetic Dentistry?
Certain materials and technique codes are shared by both cosmetic as well as restorative dentistry. Restorative treatment is required when the teeth are affected due to any kind of illness. Even if the final result is a more attractive appearance, the treatment is still considered restorative.
Cosmetic (aesthetic) dental operations on the other hand also enhance a patient’s smile and self-esteem. Veneers and teeth whitening are two types of aesthetic treatments. Since these procedures are optional and not medically essential, they are classified as cosmetic. Instead, they are solely employed to enhance one’s look.
The Procedures and treatments used in Restorative Dentistry
Cavity Filling
The most frequently used restorative dentistry is the process of cavity filling. To protect the delicate pulp within your tooth, germs penetrate through the enamel, the hard outer covering of your tooth, and form a hole which is known as a cavity.
The dentist removes the affected area of the tooth and repairs the hole with composite material that matches the color of your tooth during a cavity filling operation. This filling will keep the germs from infecting the tooth for a significant period of time.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns can be tooth-colored or made of metal. In a nutshell, they replace significant tooth structure that has been lost due to root canals, dental disease, or fractures. Crowns also act as full-coverage “caps,” restoring a tooth’s normal size, shape, and function.
Before deciding whether or not a patient is a good candidate for a dental crown, a dentist will look at a number of variables. These characteristics include but are not restricted to, the tooth’s function and placement, the position of the gum tissue, and the colour of the teeth around it.
Root Canal
When a cavity becomes deep enough into a tooth that it exposes the vulnerable pulp within, a root canal operation may be necessary. Not only that but a root canal may also be required following any kind of tooth damage. The interior of the tooth is usually infected, necessitating a root canal treatment.
In that case of restorative dentistry, the dentist will remove all of the soft pulp from within the tooth and the root canal, thus rinsing out the infection, and after that, the procedure includes filling the inside of the tooth with composite material similar to that used in the cavity fillings during a root canal operation. The tooth is preserved once the interior is filled and hence the risk of infection ends.
Dental Implant
A dental implant can be used to replace a lost tooth or a tooth that needs to be pulled owing to significant decay or destruction. A dental implant is a tooth replacement that includes both the crown and the root. The implanted root is comprised of titanium, a biocompatible metal that forms a strong link with the jaw bone.
A crown is affixed to the top of the root, which is surgically implanted in the jaw. The whole implant appears and works exactly like a natural tooth, making it the greatest tooth replacement alternative. Bridges and dentures can be held in place with the help of dental implants.
Dentures
Dentures are artificial teeth that are either detachable or fixed and are used to replace several missing teeth. Custom dentures are a common treatment for those who have lost all of their teeth due to extensive tooth decay or gum disease.
There are five distinct types of dentures to select from in restorative dentistry, depending on the patient. Complete dentures, permanent partial dentures, detachable partial dentures, implant-retained dentures, and instant dentures are all common forms of artificial teeth.
Bridge
A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth that is held in place by two crowns. A bridge can sometimes be made up of many teeth in a row. Crowns or dental implants are used to hold the bridge in place. Crowns are put over the existing teeth on each side of the bridge. The bridge rests on top of the gums and is devoid of a root.
Dental Bonding
Composite resins are used in bonding techniques. Composite resins are mainly tooth-colored fillings made of glass and plastic. Dental bonds can be used to fill cavities, repair fractured or chipped teeth, and conceal discoloured tooth surfaces.
They can help close minor gaps between teeth, which is beneficial for those who have diastema. Indirect dental bonding, composite veneer bonding, and composite bonding are three distinct dental bonding methods that can be used according to your needs.
Advantages of restorative dentistry
Restorative dental operations offer several advantages, which is why they are among the most popular procedures performed by dentists.
- The most significant advantage of restorative treatments is that your teeth’ functioning is restored. Because your teeth are in good shape, you can eat and speak with considerable ease.
- If you have a severe cavity or an affected tooth that requires a root canal, you have most likely experienced excruciating pain. By fixing the condition or eradicating the infection, restorative therapies alleviate discomfort.
- Restorative operations can improve the appearance of your teeth, allowing you to smile with confidence.
- Correcting a dental problem as soon as it is discovered helps prevent it from worsening or producing more dental problems. A cavity should be fixed as soon as your dentist finds it to avoid the need for a root canal. If a cavity is left untreated for too long, it might lead to a tooth that cannot be repaired and must be pulled and removed.
- The bone density in your jaw is preserved when you replace a lost tooth with an implant. When a tooth is lost, the portion of the jaw that formerly kept it in place begins to deteriorate and disintegrate. After that, a bone transplant treatment will be necessary to replace it with an implant. To prevent bone loss, it is important to replace a lost or untenable tooth as soon as possible.
Some tips to take care of your restorative dentistry work
- Brush your teeth twice a day using a soft toothbrush.
- Electric toothbrushes can aid in the removal of plaque from your teeth as well as restorative procedures.
- Floss around your teeth, dental implants, crowns, and bridges on a daily basis.
- Hard or sticky meals should not be chewed since these have the potential to harm your implant, bridge, or crown.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash to help combat plaque bacteria surrounding restorative work.