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What Is Restorative Dentistry? Seven Common Types Of Dental Restoration & When You Need Them

It’s hard to turn the television on today and not see a show about restoring an old house or car. People are fascinated with restoring the beauty and functionality of something old. Believe it or not, your dentist can do the same thing with your teeth using restorative dentistry! But precisely what is restorative dentistry? Keep reading below to get the answer to that question, and see seven examples of restorative dentistry!

What is Restorative Dentistry

Unlike cosmetic dentistry that focuses on improving and rejuvenating your smile, your dentist will use restorative dentistry to fix and replace missing and damaged teeth. Restorative dentistry can give you back a healthy, radiant smile and improves the function of your teeth. Let’s take a look at why restorative dentistry is so important.

• Straightening and replacing missing teeth can make it easier to clean your teeth and maintain proper oral care.
• Replacing missing teeth or having them straightened to fill open spaces in your mouth will help to maintain alignment in all of your teeth.
• With the health and beauty of a smile returned, people often regain their confidence and self-esteem.

Now that you can answer the question of “what is restorative dentistry,” let’s take a look at some examples.

Types of Restorative Dentistry

• Fillings - Arguably, the most common restorative procedures are dental fillings. Dental fillings are used to fill in decayed areas of the tooth where cavities have formed. Repairing cavities sooner rather than later can often allow you to avoid pain in your tooth and more complex procedures.
• Bridges- A bridge consists of a false tooth or teeth that replace missing ones. Crowns are used on both sides of the false teeth to help hold them in place. Bridges can improve your smile and bite.
• Crowns- If you have a chipped or cracked tooth or even missing some teeth, a crown can be used to repair the damage. A dental crown is a type of cap or shell in the shape of a tooth. Your dentist can replace the damaged portion of your tooth with the crown, giving you back a healthy, beautiful smile.
• Dental Implants - Dental implants can be used to replace severely damaged or missing teeth. The implant consists of a metal screw in the gum that replaces the root. A porcelain or composite tooth is then attached to the screw, giving you back a naturally beautiful smile!
• Veneers - Veneers are versatile thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the damaged tooth. They can be used to improve your smile by fixing chipped, discolored, broken, crooked, or even misshapen teeth.
• Composite Bonding - Some chips can be repaired using a composite resin. The resin is applied in layers and allowed to harden. After that, the hardened resin is shaped to give a natural look to the tooth.
• Root Canals - When a tooth is damaged beyond a filling’s ability to fix, your dentist may recommend a root canal. With a root canal, the damage is removed all the way to the tooth’s root. Then a compound is used to fill in the area where the damage was. A crown is then placed to give the tooth back a healthy natural appearance.

Now that we have answered the question of “what is restorative dentistry,” who do you turn to for the work? The answer is easy! Dr. Julie Liberman, DDS of Great Neck Dental Care NY, proudly serves patients of all ages in the Great Neck area, spanning New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Douglaston, Jericho, Roslyn, etc. Book your check-up today to see how restorative dentistry can give you back a healthy, attractive smile!