A trip to your Scottsdale dentist is often caused by a toothache, teeth misalignment, and a missing or damaged tooth. If a chipped tooth, a missing tooth, or a row of missing teeth is why you are eyeing a visit with your dentist, this article will help you.
Restorative dentistry is crucial in improving patients’ oral health and quality of life. By repairing or replacing damaged or missing teeth, restorative dentists can help you maintain your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently for years. Today, we will discuss everything you need to know about restorative dentistry.
Understanding Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is not something new. Many of us are familiar with the services under restorative dentistry if we have yet to experience them first-hand. Restorative dentistry, as the name suggests, seeks to restore your teeth to their natural look and functionality. The goals of restorative dentistry are as follows:
Prevent teeth misalignment
When you lose a permanent tooth, the other teeth in that row shift along the gums, trying to fill the space. This is one of the common causes of teeth misalignment, such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite. Your dentist in Scottsdale will induce restorative dentistry procedures to prevent teeth misalignment before it occurs or worsens.
Enhance the appearance of teeth
Losing a permanent tooth, especially an incisor, canine, or premolar, can leave an unsightly look. Tooth loss often subjects the person to ridicule and mockery, especially among young adolescents. Restorative dentistry can help people regain their beautiful smiles along with their confidence.
Restore the functionality of damaged teeth
When you lose a tooth, you may also lose the ability to pronounce words and chew your food. Thus, hindering your speech and diet. Restorative dentistry helps fill in the gaps (literally!) so you can do what you love without holding back.
Restorative Dentistry Procedures
A Scottsdale dentist practicing restorative dentistry offers various services, including dental crowns, dental implants, bridges, and dental fillings, designed to repair and restore the function and appearance of damaged or lost teeth. These services can help you regain your ability to bite, chew, and smile confidently, improving overall health and aesthetics. Here’s a closer look at each service:
Dental Crown
Consider dental crowns as a “cap” covering a tooth to protect and strengthen it. They are typically used to restore teeth that are severely decayed. Dental crowns are custom-made to match your natural teeth’ color, shape, and size, making them blend seamlessly with your smile.
Dental Filling
Dental fillings are used to repair teeth damaged by decay or cavities. In the old days, the dental filling was more of a procedure to bring back the functionality of one’s teeth. Dental amalgams, a mixture of metals applied to the teeth to close a cavity, have been used as dental fillings.
Today, they are typically made of tooth-colored materials such as composite resin or porcelain, which blend naturally with your teeth. They are a common and straightforward restorative dental procedure that can be completed in a single visit to the dentist.
Dental Bridge
Dental bridges replace one or more missing teeth by “bridging” the gap between the remaining teeth. They are typically composed of one or more artificial teeth anchored to the adjacent teeth with dental crowns.
Dental Implant
Dental implants are a popular and durable solution for replacing missing teeth. They consist of a post surgically placed into the jawbone, which acts as a replacement root, and a custom-made crown that is attached to the base. Dental implants are known for their longevity and can last many years with proper care, making them a reliable option for tooth replacement.
Benefits of Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry offers several benefits, including improved oral health, enhanced functionality, restored aesthetics, and prevention of further tooth loss. Let us dig deeper into these benefits one by one.
Enhances Functionality
Restorative dentistry procedures are designed to restore the function of teeth, allowing you to bite, chew, and speak properly. This can significantly improve your ability to enjoy various foods, speak clearly, and perform daily activities without discomfort or difficulty.
Boosts Confidence
Restorative dentistry can also improve the appearance of your smile. Dental crowns, implants, bridges, and fillings are typically made to match your natural teeth’ color, shape, and size, providing a seamless and aesthetically pleasing result. Restoring damaged or missing teeth can help you regain a confident and attractive smile, enhancing your appearance and boosting your self-esteem.
Prevents Further Tooth Loss
If left untreated, dental problems such as decay, cracks, or missing teeth can lead to more severe oral health issues, including tooth loss. Your Scottsdale dentist can help prevent further tooth loss through restorative dentistry, providing effective treatments to restore damaged teeth.
Improved Oral Health
Restoring decayed, cracked, or missing teeth can prevent further oral health issues such as gum disease, tooth loss, and jawbone deterioration. By promptly addressing dental problems through restorative dentistry, your Scottsdale dentist can help you maintain a healthier mouth and prevent more extensive and costly dental treatments.
When You Will Need Restorative Dentistry
You may be required to undergo restorative dentistry procedures in many ways. For instance, some jobs include dental health in their requirements. Apart from aesthetics, some job roles also require restorative dentistry procedures to prevent absences due to toothache or other dental concerns.
Some sports also need complete, healthy, perfectly aligned teeth to avoid injuries during matches and long-term conditions. Lastly, restorative dentistry is also recommended when playing woodwind instruments or singing solo or in a group, as missing teeth can cause sound problems.
Schedule an Appointment With a Reliable Scottsdale Family Dentist
Restorative dentistry procedures are known for their durability and longevity. Investing in restorative dentistry can provide you with a long-term solution for repairing and restoring your teeth, saving you from frequent dental repairs or replacements in the future.
Seeking restorative dental treatments can not only address existing dental issues and help you maintain a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile for a lifetime. Whether you are worried about your child’s dental problems or you have one yourself, there is a restorative dentistry procedure to resolve that.
Consult with a qualified dentist in Scottsdale to help you determine the most appropriate restorative dentistry options for your unique needs and goals. Call us at 480-585-6225 today to schedule a visit.