What is restorative dental care?
Put simply, restorative dental care refers to treatments that restore the structure, integrity, and/or function of a damaged tooth or teeth. This damage can range from decay to injury (chipping and other external trauma, for example). The goal of restorative dental treatment is to bring the tooth or teeth back to their normal function.
The duration of restorative dental treatment is frequently difficult to predict. This is because a variety of factors influence how a procedure will proceed, including the extent of tooth damage, the difficulty of the procedure, and the patient's level of comfort during the procedure.
Why is restorative dental care important?
Simply put, severely decayed teeth can have a detrimental effect on your appearance, self-esteem, and even your overall health (not just your oral health). By preventing plaque buildup, replacing and/or repairing decayed teeth can help maintain good oral health. Additionally, filling open or damaged areas in vacant areas of the mouth is critical for maintaining proper tooth alignment. Additionally, believe it or not, replacing missing teeth can result in significantly less pressure being placed on remaining teeth during eating. The more teeth present, the easier it is to chew and the fewer plaque forms on the natural teeth.
What happens during treatment?
Before treatment even begins, it's likely your dentist will diagnose your condition using a variety of means, including x-rays and a thorough examination of your mouth.
However, treatment will vary according to the individual. Occasionally, if there is no significant damage and the treatment is minimally invasive, the treatment will only require a single dental appointment. At other times, when the damage is severe and thus requires a more complex procedure, treatment will almost certainly require additional visits. Again, depending on the patient's circumstances, specialists such as a prosthodontist, endodontist, or maxillofacial surgeon may be required.
Throughout the procedure, your dentist may use a variety of different types of anesthesia to ensure that you feel no pain. Additionally, they may use anesthesia to alleviate your anxiety or fear.
The majority of dental restoration procedures fall into one of two categories: direct or indirect. Direct procedures typically entail repairs performed within the mouth. Indirect procedures are those that are performed outside of the mouth and then attached to the tooth or tooth structure. Your dentist will determine the best course of action for you.
Direct Restoration
This common procedure is also referred to as 'fillings.' Direct restoration is a procedure in which your dentist places a moldable substance inside a cleaned tooth cavity. This material hardens and restores the structure of the tooth. Fillings are frequently made of silver amalgam, composite resin, or glass ionomer.
Indirect Restoration
With indirect restorations, construction happens outside the mouth. There is usually much more work involved with indirect restorations, but the results are usually more stable and long-lasting. It can also restore the overall look of your teeth. A common example of indirect restorations is dental implants.