Getting preventative care done can be a hassle-free, cost-effective way to keep your smile looking beautiful. However, if you have damaged or decaying teeth, your dentist will offer restorative treatment to repair your smile. But what types of dental restorations are out there? Here are some of the many ways your dentist can repair your teeth.
What Types of Dental Restorations Are There?
Many dentists today can offer dental restorations, but some dentists, such as restorative and cosmetic dentists, specialize in restorative treatments. Restorative treatments improve your mouth’s oral health and function by using various techniques to fix areas of damage or decay. Getting restorative treatment gives your smile the best chance at lasting oral health.
Depending on your oral health needs, several dental restorations exist. These restorations include:
Direct Restorations: Direct restorations refer to restorations and treatments that can be done inside the mouth. Most direct restorations use composite resin as the material of choice, as it can be applied, shaped, and hardened inside the mouth without dental laboratories. Some examples of these types of restorations include:
- Dental Fillings: As one of the most common types of restorations, dental fillings replace the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth with composite resin.
- Composite Bonding: Unlike fillings, which replace significant portions of the teeth, composite bonding sessions work to replace only parts of the teeth, such as a chipped surface or discoloration. The bonding material bonds with the tooth’s surface and barely requires any of the tooth’s surface to be removed.
- Dental Sealants: While dental sealants are primarily used as a preventative measure, sealants are used to mend molars with deep crevices. These sealants are used for children at a higher risk of cavities but can also be used for adults who previously did have sealants during their childhood.
Indirect Restorations: Indirect restorations are a subcategory requiring products and materials to be fabricated outside the mouth, such as in a dental laboratory. Indirect restorations are the more common type, and some examples of these types include:
- Dental Crowns: Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover the portion of your teeth. These restorations provide excellent tensile strength, can be made with many different materials, and have excellent aesthetic value.
- Dental Bridges: While similar to crowns, bridges are a row of artificial teeth that are either supported by crowns, implants, or by your natural teeth. These bridges restore a normal bite and fill the gap in your smile.
- Dental Veneers: Veneers are semi-transparent shells made from porcelain to improve your teeth’s appearance. Veneers can be an excellent cosmetic replacement if your front teeth are highly discolored, chipped, or misshapen.
- Dental Implants: Implants are considered the best way to replace missing teeth, as these restorations work to restore the jawline to keep your smile aligned and healthy. Implants work by having a full crown attached to an implant post inserted into the gumline for direct integration into your smile.
- Dentures: Dentures are also considered an excellent choice for replacing your smile. Dentures are removable, easy to clean, and provide a complete, artificial set of teeth without the extra costs. They also make chewing and speaking more comfortable and are an excellent choice for those getting older or facing bone health problems such as osteoporosis.
In rare cases when the tooth cannot be treated with a direct or indirect restoration, other treatments can restore your oral health and can be followed up with treatments such as a crown or implant. These include:
Root Canals: Root canals work to remove decaying or infected portions of teeth while maintaining your tooth’s natural exterior. It’s often used to treat painful toothaches but can be used to prepare for fillings, crowns, and other restorations.
Tooth Extractions: Tooth extractions are considered a last resort when restoring teeth. However, when tooth extractions are needed, restorations such as implants, bridges, and dentures can fill the missing gap and protect your smile for life.
Visit Tulsa Precision Dental For Dental Restorations Today!
Choosing your dental restoration can have a massive impact on your oral health, and it’s essential that, no matter what, you speak with your dentist about your treatment options. By speaking with your dentist, they can help you decide on the treatments you need at the costs you can afford. That’s because they can diagnose problems you may not realize you have at first glance and have an excellent array of tools and treatment options to make your visit worthwhile.
If you’re experiencing dental problems or want to learn more about dental restorations, see our dentists at Tulsa Precision Dental. By visiting our practice, we can provide you with various types of restorative treatments to choose from and customize to ensure you have a healthy smile. Call our practice to schedule an appointment with our team of dentists and hygienists today to learn more!
