How a Restorative Dentist Protects Your Oral Health

A restorative dentist primarily aims to protect oral health through tooth restorations. These restorations can also prevent pain, address any discomfort, decrease the risk of future issues, and revitalize the appearance of a smile. Here is a look at common problem-causing conditions and treatments they use to address them.

Decayed teeth

Decay can wreak havoc, causing tooth pain, discomfort, sensitivity, and loss. Decay has varying levels of severity. In the beginning stages, a restorative dentist can help patients reverse it by providing a more detailed oral hygiene recommendation and possibly diet changes, such as eliminating sugar. However, if the decay progresses, they must manually remove it from the tooth, which also involves removing portions of the natural tooth structure.

Following the decay removal, the restorative dentist will place a dental crown, filling, inlay, or onlay. A dental crown is a custom cap that engulfs the vulnerable tooth. A dental filling is a composite resin material used for filling in and shaping small holes left behind. Inlays and onlays are similar, with the former consisting of a composite material to fill the area between the cusps and the latter covering the cusps.

Fractured teeth

There are five main types of fractures: craze lines, fractured cusps, split teeth, vertical root fractures, and cracked teeth. They all vary in severity, but it is important to note that they all do not have accompanying side effects such as pain or discomfort. This does not mean the fracture is harmless. It is more detrimental due to the increased risk of furthering the fractures, bacteria, and the likelihood of needing invasive treatments or an extraction.

Depending on the fracture type, the restorative dentist can provide dental crowns, bonding, fillings, inlays, and onlays.

Loose teeth

Loose adult teeth are often a result of trauma or deteriorated jawbone or gum tissue. These conditions can occur from gum disease, aging, or teeth that have been missing for too long. The restorative dentist will focus on the primary reason for the deterioration or trauma, which may involve performing a gum or bone graft. These options will provide stability to the teeth while preventing further deterioration.

Missing teeth

Missing teeth, especially permanent ones, cause deterioration and the shifting of surrounding teeth, not to mention that they can dampen the smile's appearance. The restorative dentist will consider dental implants, dentures, and fixed bridges to prevent these side effects. Dental implants require surgical procedures to insert the restorative in the jawbone. It will also require a dental crown, dentures, or bridge attachment to complete the look. Dentures, whether complete or partial, can complete a patient's smile, restoring its function and preventing tooth shifting. A fixed dental bridge can also prevent the shifting of teeth as it consists of two dental crowns on either side of a pontic (false tooth), which will span the missing tooth's gap.