What is Restorative Dentistry, and What Can Restorative Dentists Do?

Do you need a family dentist, cosmetic dentist or restorative dentist? Are there really any important distinctions between them, or are they just distinctions without a difference? Here’s one question that we get occasionally at Chancellor Dental: what exactly do restorative dentists do?

What is restorative dentistry?

The key to understanding restorative dentistry near you is to look closely at the word “restorative.” It is a form of the word restore which means to return what has been lost. The most common types of restorative dentistry are procedures to replace missing teeth (in whole through tooth loss or in part through cavities. Restoring missing teeth (in whole or in part) not only returns teeth of some kind to their rightful place, but restorative solutions in Brandon also restore smiles, health, confidence and even self-esteem. 

What can restorative dentists do for patients?

Here are six examples of procedures that fall within the scope of restorative dentistry in Brandon, including one that might surprise you by appearing in this category. 

Protecting and perfecting teeth with dental crowns

Crowns are used to restore a weakened, damaged or vulnerable tooth to its original and healthy shape and size. The placement of a crown over the tooth from biting surface to gum line also lends it structural support. Crowns replace function lost due to cracks and large filling and can also accomplish cosmetic goals by hiding discolouration and misshapen teeth.

Replacing teeth with dental bridges

Bridges replace missing teeth by suspending artificial teeth (called pontics) in the gap and supporting those teeth by anchoring the bridge to neighbouring healthy teeth using crowns (most commonly, though there are other options). Replacing lost teeth using a bridge prevents other teeth from shifting to fill gaps in your jaw which can negatively affect your bite and ability to eat and chew while also increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. 

Repairing teeth with inlays and onlays

Think of inlays and onlays as mini-crowns. If the whole tooth doesn’t need to be covered in a crown to replace material or support that was lost, your dentist in Brandon may place inlays or onlays made of porcelain material to replace or support missing or weak tooth structure. Inlays and onlays are a more conservative restorative approach than full crowns. 

Treating tooth decay and protecting teeth with fillings

Unchecked tooth decay causes cavities by eroding enamel and other tooth tissues. To prevent the spread of tooth decay, dentists have to remove the infected material — leaving a cavity behind, not to mention the whole left by the bacteria themselves. To prevent the corrosive spread of bacteria, a restorative dentist in Brandon will fill those cavities. When it comes to fillings you have options including traditional silver (amalgam) fillings or mercury-free and tooth-coloured options that also help achieve cosmetic aims. 

Replacing teeth with dental implants

Traditional bridges and dentures are not the only options for replacing missing teeth. Dental implants placed directly into your jaw and attached to permanent restorations (bridges, crowns, and dentures) provide the most stable and long-lasting solutions for tooth loss that also preserve and promote healthy bone growth in your jaw. 

Eliminating infections by root canal therapy

Here’s the restorative dentistry treatment that you might not have thought of. While performing root canal therapy, your dentist removes infected material from the inside of your tooth before replacing it with a soft filling then sealing the treated tooth against further infection. The goal is to save your tooth from an unnecessary extraction. Once you’ve healed fully, your dentist in Brandon will cap your infection-free tooth with a crown to provide it with structural support and extra insurance against recurrent infection.

Whatever loss you have suffered in your jaw, there are restoration solutions in Brandon to replace what you’ve lost. If you’d like to restore your confidence, smile and dental function, reach out to a dentist near you and ask what options are best to meet your needs.