Your dental options for a healthy smile.

We don’t think about how much joy it brings us to be able to chew and smile freely. But if your tooth has been damaged because of unexpected trauma or exceptionally hard peanut brittle, you probably feel anxious every time you eat or snap an Instagram photo.

Restorative dentistry is used by dentists to restore the look and function of damaged teeth. It ranges from a routine filling to bonding to a complete implant restoration. Here are the different ways in which a dentist can restore teeth.

Reconstructive dentistry includes dental crowns.

A crown works by replacing your tooth’s entire visible portion and restoring its function, strength, and appearance. You may be a candidate for a crown if:

• Your tooth has undergone a root canal.
• Your tooth has severe decay.
• You have a dental bridge that requires a replacement tooth.
• You are getting a dental implant, which requires a crown (more on this later).

Crowns may be made entirely of metal, like gold;  in other cases, they are made of porcelain that has been fused to metal. You may also receive a crown that is completely made of resin or all ceramic. You can expect a well-fabricated crown to remain durable in your mouth and last a lifetime.

Fillings

If your tooth has experienced decay, then your dentist may recommend that you get a filling. Traditional fillings are molded and shaped after they have been applied to teeth.

Tooth-colored composite fillings can easily match the unique colour of your teeth and support the tooth structure decay has damaged it. Fillings can also provide insulation against those sometimes painful changes in temperature.

Inlays and Onlays

These restorations can also come in handy for restoring your teeth. Unlike traditional fillings, onlays and inlays are created in dental labs, so as a result, you can call them indirect fillings.

If you need an inlay, your dentist will apply the inlay to the center of your tooth’s biting surface. The filling will not cover a point or cusp.

If you need an onlay, your dentist will apply the onlay to a cusp or more than one cusp of your tooth. Onlays are able to do this because they are generally larger than inlays.

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are another technique used to restore the front areas of your teeth. A veneer, which is wafer thin, can  hide an imperfection in your tooth, such as a crack or chip; however, veneers can also be used to repair a slightly crooked tooth’s alignment.

If you are a candidate for a veneer, your dentist will custom-fit a veneer for you. In the end, you’ll receive that dazzling white, Hollywood smile you may have always wanted.

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is another tooth restoration option with a number of applications. This restoration method, which is also known as direct composite veneers, can be useful for correcting cracks and chips. They can also help to address stains and even make your teeth longer. Dental bonding may also be used for filling cavities.

As part of the dental bonding process, a pliable composite resin is molded to the necessary shape for your tooth. Then, your dentist will use a curing light to harden the resin.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are among the best restorations for teeth that have been or need to be extracted. A dental implant essentially replaces your tooth root. Then a crown is used to replace what was once the visible part of your missing tooth.

During the dental implant procedure, your dentist will place a surgical grade, titanium post in your jawbone. The bone will then bond to your post, forming a strong foundation for attaching the crown. You will be under anesthesia for the surgical portion of the procedure and your dentist will help you to manage any pain you experience during recovery.

The great thing about dental implants is that they look like natural teeth. In addition, besides using them to support individual artificial teeth, you can use them to anchor dental bridges, which can be used to replace several teeth.

Traditional dentures can easily shift, which can make them inconvenient and uncomfortable to wear, and require adhesives to keep them in place. They can also lead to difficulty speaking or chewing, or may irritate you, leading to sores on your gums.

An implant, however, fits solidly in your mouth, therefore eliminating the issues associated with regular dentures..

They also offer the benefit of prohibiting bone recession, which can cause a sunken-in look to your cheeks.

How we can help with multiple types of dentistry, including restorative services.

Your dental team at Berrien Dental offers top-of-the-line reconstructive dentistry services. Our services range from fillings to implants, implant-supported dentures, bridges, and crowns. Contact us to learn about the best dentistry options for your situation, and take your smile to another level today.