A restorative dentist provides various treatments that help to address issues that develop in your mouth. Restorative dentistry focuses primarily on performing treatments that restore the function of damaged teeth.
Treatments commonly performed by a restorative dentist
Wondering how a restorative dentist can help to improve your oral health? Let us take a look at some of the most popular treatments performed by restorative dentists:
- Fillings - Fillings are the standard way to treat cavities. These materials are stuffed into holes created by cavities, preventing bacteria in the mouth from expanding them further. The procedure typically involves injecting the area being worked on with a local anesthetic so the patient does not feel any pain as the dentist removes decayed material from their tooth. Once the site has been cleaned, the putty-like filling material is applied directly to it. It takes about 45 minutes to restore a tooth with a filling, and the restoration can last up to 10 years.
- Composite bonding - This treatment involves using composite resin to rebuild and repair damaged teeth. The material used can be color-matched with the rest of the patient's teeth, so repairs made blend it. It can be used to replace traditional fillings – which have a gray color – leading to better aesthetics. Treatment with composite bonding is a non-invasive process, and it does not include making permanent alterations to the patient's teeth. The dentist uses an etching solution to roughen its exterior, so the composite sticks better to it. A curing light is used to harden the composite, and the restored tooth is polished to complete the treatment. It takes about 45 minutes to restore a tooth with composite bonding. Issues that can be fixed with composite bonding include stains and discoloration, gaps between teeth, broken teeth, and tooth decay.
- Crowns - These restorations are typically recommended when a tooth is severely decayed or damaged. The crown goes over the tooth's visible part, restoring its function, holding what is left of the tooth together, and protecting it from bite forces. Restoring a tooth with a crown requires taking off enamel from all of its sides. This is done to create a tighter fit with the crown. The process is irreversible, so the tooth will always need a crown to serve as its artificial enamel moving forward.
- Root canals - A root canal is a therapeutic treatment that is used to save severely damaged or infected teeth. Any damage to a tooth that leaves its nerve and blood vessels exposed to irritants in the mouth makes it more vulnerable to infection. These soft tissues are typically sealed away in the pulp chamber, but severe damage can end up opening it up. The procedure involves removing these soft tissues, applying medication, and sealing the tooth.
Put your dental issues behind you
A restorative dentist can help treat any dental issue you find yourself dealing with, from a broken tooth to infection. Call or visit our Burlington clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: http://hargisfamilydentistry.com or call Hargis Family Dentistry at 3362268069 for an appointment in our Burlington office.