If you have damaged or missing teeth, restorative care can help you regain your smile. Working with a dentist in Pembroke Pines enables you to restore function to broken, cracked, or decaying teeth. There are a variety of treatment options available to residents of Pembroke Pines, FL.
We’re going to discuss options for patients looking to restore their smiles and boost their confidence. From dental fillings to dentures, the treatment options are vast and can transform your appearance.
What is restorative dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry focused on treating and repairing issues that impact your teeth and overall oral health. Damage, decay, and tooth loss can impact your smile and ability to speak and chew comfortably. Restorative dental treatments address these issues, restoring function to your teeth and maintaining your smile.
With restorative dentistry, you can:
- Prevent further damage to your teeth or tooth loss
- Restore bite function and jaw alignment
- Protect damaged teeth
- Replace missing teeth
- Treat infected teeth
Types of restorative dentistry
There are many types of restorative dental treatments available to improve your oral health. Let’s explore these various treatments in detail and how they can support your oral health.
Dental fillings
Dental fillings are used to treat cavities and tooth decay. Your dentist will remove the decay from your tooth and fill in the space with a dental filling material, such as amalgam (silver), composite resin, glass ionomer, or gold. This will restore the shape and function of your tooth.
Dental fillings can be completed in one visit and are a cost-effective method to treat tooth decay. Depending on your oral hygiene, some dental fillings can last up to 20 years.1
Dental crowns
Dental crowns restore your tooth’s natural shape and function. Think of them as protective covers for damaged or weakened teeth. Crowns protect the natural tooth below and are custom crafted to fit your smile. Dental crowns can be made of porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination of materials.
Dentists often recommend crowns for teeth with large fillings, cracked or broken teeth, or after a root canal treatment as extra protection.
Dental bridges
Dental bridges replace one or more missing teeth to restore your bite and prevent surrounding teeth from shifting. Bridges anchor the artificial tooth to the natural teeth or implants on either side of the gap. You can restore the look of your natural smile with a traditional bridge, cantilever bridge, or Maryland bridge. A custom-made bridge can help you chew better, speak clearer, and smile confidently, while preventing nearby teeth from moving out of place.
Dental implants
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option that is long-lasting and highly effective. They are surgically implanted into the jaw to restore the look, feel, and function of natural teeth.2 They are designed to look just like your real teeth, allowing you to smile comfortably for the rest of your life.
Dental implants use titanium posts, acting as artificial tooth roots and attached to custom crowns. They can last a lifetime if properly cared for.
Root canal treatment
If you have an infected tooth, a root canal can help save it by removing the diseased tissue inside the tooth. Your dentist will carefully clean the inner nerve of your tooth, remove infected tissue, and then seal the leftover space. This treatment is used to protect your natural teeth from further infection or needing to be removed.
Typically, a crown is placed after a root canal to protect your tooth from damage or infection. This treatment uses pain management medication to ensure your comfort during the procedure.
Dentures
Dentures are used to restore multiple missing teeth. They give you the ability to speak, chew, and smile comfortably. There are two primary types of dentures: full and partial dentures.
Full dentures replace a full arch of teeth, whereas partials can replace one to multiple teeth. Dentures are a removable option for those with missing teeth and are typically custom-made for the best fit.
The importance of restorative dentistry to your oral health
Missing or damaged teeth can shift the other teeth in your mouth, causing jaw discomfort, difficulty chewing, pain, and an increased risk of further decay or gum disease.
Restorative dentistry supports your long-term oral health by preventing additional damage, improving speech, helping you eat comfortably, boosting confidence, and supporting facial structure. If you’re interested in learning more about restorative dentistry treatments, contact a “dentist near me” in Pembroke Pines today.