Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry repairs or replaces teeth that have been damaged, broken, infected, or lost. The goal is to get your mouth functioning normally again and to prevent further problems from developing around the affected area.

Repairing damaged teeth

Dental fillings are the most common restoration. When decay has eaten into a tooth, we remove the decayed material and fill the space. We use tooth-colored composite resin, which bonds to the tooth and blends in visually.

Endodontics is the category that includes root canals. A root canal becomes necessary when decay or infection reaches the inner pulp of a tooth, where the nerve tissue lives. The procedure removes the infected pulp, disinfects the canal, and seals it. It gets a bad reputation, but most patients say it feels about like getting a filling. Afterward, the tooth usually needs a crown to protect it.

Replacing missing teeth

Dental implants are the closest thing to a natural tooth in terms of how they function. A titanium post is placed into the jawbone and allowed to fuse over several months. Once it’s integrated, a crown goes on top. Implants don’t depend on neighboring teeth for support, and they help preserve the bone in your jaw that would otherwise shrink after a tooth is lost. Not everyone is a candidate; bone density and health factors matter.

Dental bridges span a gap left by one or more missing teeth by anchoring to the teeth on either side of the space. The bridge is fixed in place; you don’t remove it. It’s a faster solution than an implant and doesn’t require surgery, but it does involve preparing the anchor teeth.

Full and partial dentures replace larger numbers of missing teeth. A full denture replaces all the teeth on an arch; a partial fills in where some teeth remain. Modern dentures fit better and look more natural than older versions, though there’s still an adjustment period while you get used to them.

When to come in

Any tooth that’s broken, aching, or sensitive to pressure or temperature is worth having looked at. Problems in this category tend to get worse on their own. An exam tells you what you’re actually dealing with and what your options are before the situation gets more involved.