Common Types Of Dental Restoration Procedures

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that over 40% of adults experienced mouth pain at least once in 2021. Moreover, more than 80% of people will develop a cavity before age 34. To top it all off, few of these people seek treatment for dental problems from their dentist. As a result, their oral health may deteriorate and require costly and more intensive treatment.  

Like most people, you may think your poor oral health is over because your decayed teeth have been extracted. But the truth is that missing teeth also cause future dental problems. Tooth loss allows bacteria to enter your gums, causing infection, inflammation, and gum disease.  

Accordingly, you should consider getting dental restoration to prevent these future dental problems. Improving your smile and confidence is another reason to seek dental restoration. Hence, consult a dentist for more information about dental restorative services. Your dentist can provide various treatments to replace or repair your teeth.   

Furthermore, here are some of the common types of dental restoration procedures offered by dental care providers:

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are artificial materials used to fill the holes or gaps in the enamel of a person’s broken or decayed teeth. It’s a quick dental restoration procedure; after a short appointment with your dentist, you’re back to your daily routine.

Moreover, the filling does its job by restoring the structure of your tooth. It also prevents the cavity from spreading and causing further tooth damage. Moreover, dental fillings can last for a decade, depending on the material used. Common filling materials include composite resin, silver amalgam, glass-ionomer cement, porcelain, and gold. Your dental health professional can discuss your options with you.

When it comes to a dental filling procedure, the dentist will first numb the gums around your damaged or decayed tooth with a local anesthetic injection. Then, they’ll drill out decay in your tooth and replace it with a filling material. This procedure only takes a short time.

After the procedure, your mouth will most likely remain numb for several hours. Note that dental filling procedure poses no significant risk. However, it’d be wise to keep your dentist’s contact details if you have any questions.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a dental restoration procedure that helps restore people’s lost teeth due to dental problems or accidents. They’re artificial tooth roots implanted into your jawbone and feel, look, and function similarly to natural tooth roots. Fixing your jawbone may also become a vital part of dental restoration to ensure the implants’ stability and durability in bone loss areas.

Moreover, dental implants are classified into two types: endosteal and subperiosteal. Both options look incredibly natural, but it’d be best to understand the distinction. The good thing is that your dentist will guide you in making the best decision for your oral needs.  

In particular, endosteal implants are the most popular among the two, as most dentists prefer this type of implant. Subperiosteal implants resemble endosteal implants. But instead of being anchored into the jawbone like endosteal implants, subperiosteal implants are placed beneath the gums.  

Beyond that, there are some factors to consider when determining whether you’re an ideal candidate for a dental implant procedure. Notably, you must have good oral health, adequate bone density in the jaw to support the implant, and healthy gum tissues.   

Dental Crowns

A dental crown is a cap placed over a damaged tooth. A dentist recommends dental crowns to cover, restore, or protect the structure of your teeth when filling materials are ineffective. They can be made of resin, porcelain, metals, or ceramics. The good thing about this dental procedure option is that it doesn’t require special care over time.  

There are various reasons a dentist may recommend you a dental crown. For instance, you may require it to support and cover a tooth with a large filling. Moreover, your dentist may recommend a dental crown to protect a decayed or weak tooth from breaking. You may also require a crown to support a dental bridge and provide coverage for a dental implant.  

Furthermore, dental crowns are made of various materials. Some of the commonly used materials include metal, porcelain, ceramics, and composite resin. The material used depends on the budget, the function of the tooth it’ll replace, the surrounding color of the tooth, and the crown’s location. Your dentist will select a material based on your particular needs and preferences.  

Dental Bridges

A dental bridge is a prosthetic tooth made of ceramic, metal, or porcelain that fills the gap left by a missing tooth. If you have missing teeth that once stood side by side, a dentist may advise you to replace them with a dental bridge. This standard bridge procedure usually involves crowning natural teeth on each side of the gap to strengthen them.   

But besides the traditional bridge, there are also implant bridges and Maryland bridges. An implant-supported bridge uses dental implants to secure false teeth. Moreover, a Maryland bridge is a popular option for replacing teeth in the front of your mouth. This procedure is also known as a resin-bonded bridge.  

In addition, a dental bridge also improves the color and shape of the replacement tooth. An experienced dentist will assist in the creation of an aesthetically pleasing tooth restoration. Moreover, a dental bridge is as long-lasting as a dental crown. While it may not have the same durability as natural teeth, the bridge could last more than ten years with good oral hygiene.  

Root Canal

Root canal therapy, or endodontic treatment, is a procedure that removes bacterial infection inside a tooth to protect it from further damage. Inside each tooth is a type of soft tissue known as pulp. It’s beneath the enamel and dentin layers and contains blood vessels and nerve tissue. It nourishes your tooth and keeps the surrounding tissue moist.   

Furthermore, dentists recommend root canal treatment for various reasons. Some notable signs that you may need root canal treatment include a cracked tooth, swollen gums, and extreme sensitivity to hot and cold. When properly maintained, root canal-treated teeth last a long lifetime. It keeps your natural teeth, has a virtually pain-free dental procedure, and provides an appealing result.  

Conclusion

Overall, the need for dental restoration procedures boils down to preventing further problems with the gums and teeth. Consequently, it improves your overall oral health. Your dentist will likely recommend this treatment if you have a compromised tooth.