Restorative dentistry includes procedures carried out by your local, friendly dentist to ensure that your mouth and teeth remain healthy and functioning correctly. This could include things like dental implants, crowns or dentures. No real specialization is required in most types of restorative dentistry; it is normally more of a corrective and preventive procedure carried out by a general dentist.

Below are a few types of restorative dentistry:

Dental Fillings

Fillings are a very common form of restorative dentistry that you may find yourself needing if you experience tooth decay. The purpose of fillings is for the replacement of decayed parts of teeth to prevent further damage to the affected tooth.

Your dentist will first select an appropriate filling material. They will numb the tooth, and drill out all of the tooth decay and debris, filling the resulting empty space with the dental filling material to preserve and protect the tooth.

Dental Crowns

A crown is a type of restoration that a dentist places over a tooth that is decayed, damaged or cracked. This restores its shape, size and strength. As with dental fillings, dental crowns are available in a wide range of materials. The most popular material closely matches the appearance of natural teeth.

Dental crowns are also commonly used as the final component of a dental implant, serving as an aesthetic replacement for a natural tooth and a chewing surface.

Root Canals

As scary as the term “root canal” may be, root canal procedures are actually a very common type of dental restoration that saves a tooth affected by severe tooth decay. If you need a root canal procedure, your dentist will drill down into the affected tooth to remove all tooth decay. They will also clean out all of the tooth roots, filling the empty spaces with an inert material to protect the tooth.

Dental Bridges

You may require a dental bridge if you have one or more missing teeth. A bridge involves the placement of a false tooth to replace the missing one. Dental crowns may be placed upon neighboring teeth to retain a bridge. A bridge can restore your normal bite, eliminate a gap in your smile, and ensure that your mouth remains healthy.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a three-part dental structure that consists of a metal post, an abutment, and a dental crown. They serve as a close replacement for a missing natural tooth, allowing you to bite down with normal force and chew your food normally.