When a tooth is chipped or cracked, or aches due to a cavity or infection, you need treatment to protect the smile. With restorative dentistry, our team can provide results that look natural and last for years to come. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about restorative dentistry.
Dental Fillings
A dental filling is a common dental restoration that we use to treat tooth decay. But instead of metal, our team will offer one made from composite resin, which is metal-free and biocompatible, bonding with your tooth. This is safe for all ages, and we can shade it to blend with your smile. The placement process only takes one visit. Our team will numb the tooth to ensure you are comfortable as we remove decay from the tooth. We then prepreg and place the composite resin to the tooth, and shape it as the material cures under a special light. We then polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. With restorative dentistry, we can help you avoid the pain of decay and the risk of an infection.
Custom Crowns
Restorative dentistry also addresses damaged teeth, or cases of tooth decay too severe for a dental filling. A dental crown is crafted from lifelike and durable materials like porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, or zirconia, which we can shade to blend with the smile. We will again numb the tooth, and then remove structure to make room for the crown. We then gather images and measurements that we will use to custom-make your dental restorations. Finally, we cap the tooth with a custom restoration. The crown can address decay, cracked or chipped teeth, and can improve bite balance or chewing function. We can even use them to secure bridges or restore single tooth dental implants!
Dental Bridges
Our team can use restorative dentistry to replace missing teeth. When you have a single missing tooth, or as many as three to four in a row, then we could help with a dental bridge. The prosthetic contains one or more ne teeth, and corns will be attached to each end. Our team numbs the abutment teeth on each side of the gap and then we remove structure to make room for the crown portions. When the lifelike porcelain bridge is ready, we will connect the crown portions to the abutment teeth to secure your new ones firmly in place. You now have a lifelike dental prosthetic that can last for 10 to 15 years on average!
Root Canal Therapy
What if a tooth has an infection? In these situations, you need more than a filling. Our team can help treat the infection with a root canal procedure. The procedure involves our team numbing the tooth and then opening it to remove the tissue from within. We then add new fillings in the form of gutta percha, and cap the tooth with a crown. This stops the infection and halts discomfort, so you can smile with confidence and avoid the risk of worsening pain or tooth loss.
Tooth Extractions
So far, we have discussed treatments that save and preserve teeth. But what if one is too decayed or infected, or too damaged, to be treated with a filling, crown, or root canal? To avoid the spread of infection and stop discomfort, we could extract the tooth. Our team can do so comfortably and gently. We can remove a tooth for the reasons we already mentioned, or to pave the way for prosthetics or to aid in orthodontic treatment. We can also remove wisdom teeth before they erupt too.
Dental Implant Bridges
With traditional bridges, our team will secure them with crowns attached to natural teeth. But we could also insert one or two dental implants into the jaw, and attach the crown portions of the bridge to them. This saves natural tooth structure, and also the implants have the ability to stay in place for decades, acting like natural tooth roots. This bridge can last far longer than a traditional one, possibly even a lifetime with proper care and attention.
If you have any questions about restorative dentistry, or if you would like to make a visit with our team to repair or restore a portion of your smile, then contact our office now to get started. We want to help you smile without hesitation, and that starts with an initial exam visit.
Learn More About Restorative Dentistry
Our team wants to help repair and restore smiles, often in only one visit. Schedule your appointment with Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO by calling 816-942-7669.