Restorative Dentistry

Teeth may be damaged by a number of causes, including tooth decay and facial trauma. In such cases, Dr. Nathanson can use restorative dentistry techniques to repair such damage.

Depending on the extent of the damage and where it is located on the tooth, different approaches can be beneficial. Dr. Nathanson will use the most conservative restoration that is appropriate for your case.

Restoring damaged teeth can help you avoid consequences like tooth loss, or when tooth loss does happen, this care can restore your smile’s appearance and normalize facial features. If you have a damaged tooth in need of repair, call our office to schedule an evaluation.

Strategies For Restoring Smiles Affected By Damage Or Tooth Loss

Different restorations will be appropriate in different cases. Recommended treatments may include the following:

Fillings
Bonding
Dental Crowns
Dental Bridges
Dentures

The nature of the damage will determine the type of restoration used. Fillings and bonding are used to repair relatively small areas of compromised tooth material, while dental crowns are placed when more extensive damage is present.

Dental bridges and dentures restore a patient’s smile following tooth loss. Bridges are used to replace a single missing tooth or fill in a gap left behind by a small number of absent teeth. A patient with more extensive tooth loss, such as an entire affected arch, will receive dentures.

Importance Of Restoring Damaged Or Missing Teeth

There are many compelling reasons to consider restoring your smile after your teeth have been damaged or lost.

In the case of a damaged tooth, saving the tooth is associated with a variety of benefits for your oral health, as well as the appearance and function of your smile. Restorations can help patients to achieve this goal, along with preventing further damage to the tooth.

When a tooth has been lost to disease or injury, its absence can have a cascade of effects on the rest of the smile, including:

Shifting of remaining teeth to fill in the empty space
Bone atrophy
Unusual forces and stresses on remaining teeth
Difficulty chewing or speaking

Replacing missing teeth can help patients avoid these consequences.

Value Of Customized Restorations

Understandably, many patients are concerned with the appearance of their smiles, and restorations help to improve this aspect of your oral health, as well. Specifically, the restorations are customized to look as much like your biological teeth as possible. They may even improve on the aesthetics of your natural smile!

Because the restorations are tailored to your unique needs, they offer optimal aesthetics and comfort. Furthermore, you can make specific requests regarding the design of the restoration.

FAQs about Restorative Dentistry

What are some restorative dental procedures?

Restorative dental procedures can include bonding, fillings, dental crowns, dental bridges and dentures. Different interventions are suitable in different cases. More conservative approaches (fillings and bonding) can be used for smaller affected areas, while more involved restorations, like dental crowns for larger cavities or bridges and dentures following tooth loss, are needed for more extensive issues. Restorations can be made of various materials, so ask your dentist about all of your options to be sure that you are getting the restoration that will best meet your needs.

Is it painful to receive a dental crown?

Patients should not experience significant discomfort when getting a dental crown. We use local anesthetic to make the process of preparing the tooth for crown placement, which does involve the removal of some enamel. The second part of dental crown placement, which is the bonding of the crown to the tooth, should cause no discomfort for patients. Should patients experience any discomfort in the process, it often can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers. If you notice more severe or persistent pain, you should notify Dr. Nathanson for further evaluation.

How do you take care of a dental bridge?

A dental bridge can stay in place for many years with proper maintenance. It’s important to take good care of the surrounding teeth and gums in order to avoid conditions that could compromise the bridge’s stability. You should practice sound oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing and getting adequate professional care. Keep in mind that the design of a dental bridge does restrict access to the gumline, so you will need to use special tools, such as floss threaders or floss loops, to navigate around the appliance.

How much does a dental bridge cost?

The cost of dental bridges vary from patient to patient and reflect each patient’s unique circumstances. Not only are there costs related to designing and placing the appliance itself, but there are also expenses associated with other aspects of the process, such as imaging, dental impressions and follow-up appointments. Keep in mind that our staff will work diligently to help you accommodate any expenses into your budget, whether that involves setting you up with an affordable payment plan or helping you to file claims with your insurance company to get maximum reimbursements for your care.

(410) 891-8547