How Restorative Dentistry Can Solve The Issue Of Missing & Damaged Teeth

Restorative dentistry focuses on treating damaged teeth. This may involve repairing broken teeth, replacing missing teeth to restore aesthetic and function, or attempting to prevent the need for extraction. The goal of restorative dentistry is to put a natural-looking and healthy smile back on your face and to prevent future injury and bacterial attack to the tooth.

Here are some examples of restorative dental treatments

Crowns

Crowns are used when a tooth is no longer secure on its own; they are tooth-shaped caps made from porcelain, metal or a combination of the two. Crowns are made from antimicrobial materials, which means your tooth will be protected against further decay. Here at Smile Up we will create the crown in the image of your smile, matching the colour of your existing teeth so no-one will know the difference between your crown and your natural teeth. Your crown will be made by a dental technician and we will give you a temporary crown for the time between the impression-taking appointment and your final appointment where your permanent crown is fitted. Crowns are generally used when the patient has a damaged tooth or a cavity.

Dental bridge

A dental bridge is a device that permanently fixes artificial teeth to your existing teeth and can either be connected to the surface of these teeth or to crowns if your existing teeth are damaged. If you have multiple missing teeth that are near one another, dental implants can be used in conjunction with a bridge. Dental bridges can last a lifetime if properly cared for – this means maintaining good oral hygiene to ensure the anchor teeth remain healthy. You can read more about the procedure behind getting a dental bridge by clicking here.

Fillings

Even those who have a meticulous oral hygiene routine can become susceptible to cavities; factors such as genetics or having deeper than normal grooves around the teeth can make them harder to look after. A cavity is when tooth decay creates a tiny hole in your tooth enamel but don’t fret as a filling can combat this and is one of the most common restorative procedures out there. In order to treat this, your dentist will remove the plaque with a dental drill and sterilize the area before filling it with a composite material in order to prevent bacterial advancement. Once upon a time, the only type of fillings available to patients were unsightly silver amalgam fillings which are also destructive to the tooth. Here at Smile Up we offer white fillings which are created to match the shade of your teeth, so you can be confident about your restored smile and not feel self conscious about opening your mouth around others to speak and chew.

Dental implants

Dental implants are widely considered to be the next best thing to real teeth, restoring function and aesthetic to 100%. They also prevent jawbone loss, something that dentures cannot achieve as they are not a fixed solution. Dental implants are made up of a restoration (the tooth-looking part), the implant (the element that is surgically inserted into the jawbone), and an abutment (the connecting element that links the former two parts). Made from titanium, a biocompatible material, dental implants can be cared for in the same way as a natural tooth and can last a lifetime if properly cared.

Dentures

Dentures are a cost-effective solution to replacing missing teeth, especially if the patient has all of their teeth missing. Unlike, dental implants, they are a removable solution and so cannot combat the issue of jawbone loss but remain the most popular way of replacing a missing tooth. Dentures prevent your jaw from sliding out of position if you have lost a lot of teeth and restore emotional wellbeing, allowing you to smile, kiss and chew with confidence.

If you would like more information about cosmetic dentistry at Smile Up, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can also book appointments with us using the online booking form on our website.