Restorative Dentistry

As a broad definition, restorative dentistry encompasses any type of dental procedure that is used to restore your teeth after some kind of damage. Often, if the tooth is not properly restored, the patient may suffer additional oral health problems. A common example is filling a tooth. When tooth decay sets in and results in a cavity, it is important to address the issue quickly. Otherwise, the problem could worsen, causing you to eventually lose the tooth. Additionally, the decay may spread to other teeth, further affecting your overall oral health.

If you think of routine procedures like general cleanings and exams as the first rung on the dental care health ladder, minor restorative procedures are one step up. Here are some of the most common procedures that fall into this category.

Fillings

Dental fillings to correct cavities are perhaps the most common type of restorative dentistry. The average American has 3 dental fillings and 25% of the population has 11 or more. It’s likely that you have a filling or two as well. If it has been several months since your last dental examination, it’s important to book a dentist appointment now to be assessed for tooth decay. Cavities are filled with amalgam, a mercury alloy. Sometimes, you can easily see the metal color and other times a tooth-colored substance is used to hide the filling. The procedure is simple and very effective at stopping the spread of tooth decay and disease.

Root Canals

Sometimes damage can extend through the tooth and into the root. This can happen because a cavity gets out of hand, if the tooth is damaged, or if it becomes infected for some other reason. Some people associate root canal with discomfort. However, in reality, modern-day root canals are straightforward procedures that are effective in restoring a tooth to health and preventing tooth loss. In fact, you can think of it as a more in-depth filling, because essentially, that’s all it is. The dentist simply drills a small hole in the tooth and clears out the infected pulp. The interior of the tooth is then disinfected and filled and the top of the tooth is covered for protection with a small crown.

Tooth Extractions

Root canals and other procedures can help you avoid having a tooth extracted. Unfortunately, sometimes the damage is too great or the infection has spread too far and the tooth can’t be saved. In that case, the tooth will need to be extracted. This is another straightforward, restorative procedure. Losing a tooth can have further repercussions for your oral health, however. Without a replacement tooth filling the gap, other teeth may shift in the mouth. Having gaps in your smile also puts extra strain on your other teeth when biting and chewing. Furthermore, if you lose several teeth, the lack of support can lead to bone loss and even a change in your facial structure. For that reason, many people opt for further restorative dental procedures.

Periodontal Scaling and Root Planing

This sophisticated terminology indicates in-depth dental cleaning. Periodontal scaling and root planing is used when patients have active gum disease and need a more thorough cleaning underneath the gums.

Dentures

Modern dentures are a viable option for many people who otherwise wouldn’t have teeth in either the upper and/or lower gums. Dentures restore oral functions for patients who have experienced severe loss of permanent teeth.

Bridges

You can think of bridges like a partial denture. They can be made to replace one or several teeth. Bridges are usually permanently inserted so you won’t have to worry about them falling out of your mouth. However, this requires grinding down the healthy teeth on either side to use as an anchor point in most cases.

Implants

Implants are the dental prosthetic that is most like natural teeth. They are anchored by implanting a titanium post into the jawbone which acts as a replacement for the root of your tooth. A crown is then mounted on top but is virtually indistinguishable from your natural teeth.

How much does restorative dentistry cost?

As you might imagine, the price of restorative dentistry depends on the procedure(s) you need. If you have dental insurance, many restorative procedures will be covered under your plan. However, any procedures that your insurance company considers to be cosmetic are usually not covered. Even if you don’t have insurance, basic restorative dentistry procedures are fairly inexpensive. You can expect to pay only a few hundred dollars or less.