What is Restorative Dentistry?

The dental world is full of terms and dental lingo that is very unfamiliar to most of the general public. You will hear dentists talk about preventative dentistry, restorative dentistry, cosmetics, and more but not always receive a breakdown on what exactly that means. At Maestri Family Dentistry, we find education on your oral health to be just as important as the work itself. We spend a lot of time with patients breaking down exactly what type of dental care they need and that they understand everything along the way. Today we will discuss restorative dentistry and learn what it is and what common procedures fall within it. 

Restorative Dentistry Defined

Restorative dentistry is defined as the study, diagnosis and management of diseases of teeth and their supporting structures. In short it is the term used in the dental industry that explains how missing or damaged teeth are repaired or replaced. When exploring restorative dental procedures, your dentist is seeking to find ways to keep your mouth healthy and fully functioning and often involves the process of restoring your teeth. The overall goal of restorative dentistry is to restore your natural smile and prevent future oral health issues. 

Types of Restorative Dental Procedures

At Maestri family dental we have over a decade of experience and access to state of the art restorative technology. Some of the most common restorative dental procedures we offer include: 

1. Orthodontics. While typically viewed as a cosmetic dental procedure, braces and other orthodontic treatment options correct bite problems and address jaw and alignment issues that avoid developing painful issues down the road. Yes it does improve your smile cosmetically, but orthodontics serve as a restorative dental option that protects your smile. 
2. Fillings. Cavities aren’t just for kids! Cavities are generally associated with childhood but are actually a serious risk for people of all ages. Tooth decay is one of the most common causes of adult tooth loss in America. If caught early enough, cavities are treated by removing the decay and filling the tooth with one of several different materials called fillings. If left untreated, cavities can descend into further layers of the tooth leading to a need for more invasive restorative dental procedures such as root canals, crowns or even extractions. 
3. Crowns. When your natural tooth has been severely compromised due to tooth decal, cracks, breakage, intrinsic stains etc, dental crowns become necessary. Crowns are tooth shaped caps that are placed over your tooth to strengthen the tooth and surrounding structure. 
4. Root Canal Therapy. When a cavity is left untreated and severe damage exposes the pulp of the tooth, a root canal may be recommended to save the structure of the tooth. The inner pulp of your tooth structure is filled with nerves and serves the purpose of keeping your tooth healthy and hydrated. If exposed it can easily become infected leading to serious health risks. Due to all the nerves in this layer of the tooth, exposure can be very painful and sensitive. Root canal therapy is a complex procedure but can save your tooth and remove the source of severe tooth pain. 
5.  Extractions. While tooth extractions are not ideal, they are often necessary to remove severely damaged, infected, or compromised teeth in efforts to restore the overall healthy balance within your mouth. Some reasons for tooth extractions include: advanced tooth decay, injury, advanced periodontitis (gum disease), reduced immune function or orthodontic treatment in which teeth need to be removed to make room for movement of remaining teeth. 

Restorative dentistry procedures can be essential to your overall oral health and should not be avoided. Their goal is to restore the function and integrity of your tooth and surrounding structure, their function and overall oral health while maintaining a natural appearance. The right restorative procedures can eliminate the need for additional dental work in the future. If you are experiencing any tooth pain or gum sensitivity, schedule an appointment with Maestri Family Dentistry for a checkup and cleaning to evaluate your overall oral health.