What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is the treatment of teeth and their supporting structures to restore your mouth back to full functionality using dental implants, crowns and bridges, root canal therapy, dentures and/or fillings.
What are Crowns and Bridges?
Dental crowns and bridges are custom-fitted tooth prosthetics that are used to replace or restore damaged or missing teeth.
Crowns, also known as caps, are fixed over the surfaces of natural tooth structures or dental implants.
Bridges are used to fill in the gaps left by missing teeth and are anchored in place by the natural teeth or crowns nearest the empty space.
Both crowns and bridges are non-removable and must be cemented in place by a licensed dentist. Patients who get crown or bridges to restore their smiles achieve both the function and appearance of natural, healthy teeth.
What are Veneers?
Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance.
These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.
FAQ
Is a crown or bridge right for me?
If you have a tooth that is damaged or decayed, but still intact, a dental crown may be right for you. If your tooth is missing, but its former position is surrounded by other tooth structures, a bridge may be the solution for you. Schedule an office consultation to determine whether you could benefit from crowns or bridges.
What should I expect when I have my crown or bridge placed?
If you are a candidate for a crown or bridge, your teeth will be reduced to ensure a proper fit. An impression will then be taken of your bite and used to fabricate a mold for the crown or bridge.
If you are choosing porcelain prosthesis, its color will be matched to the natural shade of your other teeth. If a dental lab is making your crown or bridge, you may be fitted with a temporary restoration until the permanent one is ready for placement.
Do I need to follow any post-treatment care guidelines?
Your teeth will need time to heal following the crown and bridge placement process, so it is normal for you to experience some sensitivity – especially to hot and cold. Additionally, you may experience soreness in the gums surrounding your restorations, though this is usually manageable with ibuprofen and should subside within a few days.
What should I expect during a veneer procedure?
- Your dentist will remove a small amount of the tooth surface to permit placement of the veneer.
- An impression is taken of the tooth and sent to the dental laboratory.
- The dental veneer is then made to fit the tooth and mouth.
- The veneer is bonded to the tooth with resin cement.