Restorative Dentistry: Procedures and Care Tips

Cavities, tooth decay, and accidents lead to breaking of teeth or, in some cases losing the whole tooth. You are likely to experience pain and discomfort. Misshaped teeth cause you to be, ashamed lowering your confidence. The restoration procedures are aimed at:

• Prevents the spread of bacteria, causing decay to other teeth.
• In case you have a dental cavity, fillings prevent its expansion
• Protecting a weak tooth from breaking
• Crowns aid to improve, the appearance of badly-broken teeth
• Replacing missing teeth
• Aimed at preventing further decay of a tooth
• Reinforcing a tooth, that has had a root canal
• Dental implants provide strong support for dentures

Common Restorative Dental Procedures

Several procedures are used to reinstate the forms and appearance of your teeth. Charm Dental in Spring TX and Richmond TX uses the following methodologies:

1. 1. Dental Crowns

Crowns are caps for damaged teeth. The damage may be a result of discoloration, decay, or breaking. They come in many forms but have two particular categories. These categories are permanent crowns and temporary crowns. The different materials used in making crowns are porcelain, metal, composite resin, plastic, and zirconia. Dentists recommend permanent ones, especially those made of porcelain. This is because they are more durable than temporary ones. Temporary ones are prone to wearing out. Dentists consider certain factors before the installation of crowns. Such factors are:

1. 1. • Position of your tooth
      • The function of the tooth that requires a crown
      • Colour of the surrounding teeth
      • How much of the natural teeth are left
      • The position of your gum tissue

Dental crowns require adequate care to ensure that they do not break or wear out easily.

1. 1. Dentures

Dentures are artificial, removable teeth fixed into the gum to replace missing teeth. They can be partial or complete. Complete dentures can be immediate or conventional. Immediate dentures are made after the teeth are removed from the gum. They are placed after the gum has started to heal.
On the other hand, conventional dentures are placed 8 to 12 weeks after the teeth are removed from the gum. Dentures are made either of, bone, or metal alloys. Dentures are, however, only applicable in replacement of permanent teeth.

1. 1. Dental Bridges

If you have missing teeth, a dentist can close the gap using a dental bridge to restore your smile. The bridge is held by the abutment teeth on both sides of the gap. Bridges are made of several materials such as gold and porcelain. Porcelain bridges are preferred sincethey blend in easily with your regular teeth. There are four main types of bridges:

1. 1. • Traditional-they are held in place by dental crowns cemented onto each of the abutment teeth
      • Cantilever-unlike traditional ones a cantilever is held in place by a dental crown cemented on only one abutment tooth
      • Maryland- this technology uses a framework of either metal or porcelain, bonded on the backs of both abutment teeth
      • Implant-supported- a dentist surgically places an implant on each of the missing teeth. A bridge is then placed over the gap and held in place by the implants.
   2. Tooth-colored Fillings

Tooth-coloured fillings and tooth replacements that match the colour of your teeth. They are made of a composite of silica and resin. The components give the filling a non-wearing and translucent property. Dental composites also strengthen the teeth.

The process of filling a tooth involves anesthetizing the area, preparing the tooth by removing the decay, and finally, the filling material is placed directly on the tooth.

1. 1. Dental Implants

Implants offer permanent replacement of teeth or damaged teeth. The process of installation involves fixing a pole on ceramic cement, and then a crown is fixed around the pole.

Taking Care of Your Teeth After Restorative Procedures

There are several practices you should observe after a reinstatement procedure. These practices involve:

1. • Brushing your teeth gently
   • Removing and cleaning your dentures regularly
   • Avoid chewing hard foods such as candy after crown installation
   • Do not grind or grit your teeth while having dental fillings
   • Biting on pens, and pencils and opening soda bottles should be avoided