Teeth, like other parts of our body, are most susceptible to breaking, cracking, or being fractured. Restorative dentistry, as the name suggests, strives to replenish the lost tooth and smile. Usually, due to biting on extra-hard things or accidental tooth breakage, the restorative dentist exists to repair the original tooth through a variety of dental procedures. These collective dental processes help to restore and revive the function and capability of broken, cracked, or fractured teeth. They may include the following:
– Dental Crowns: Dental crowns are used for mild to moderately severe tooth breaks. A dental crown covers the entire tooth part that’s visible above the gum. They are like secondary shields that protect the tooth from further damage and help restore its natural look. A dental crown placement on the tooth needs a shaving of the tooth enamel to create a precise fit for the crown. Crowns do cover and shield teeth. It’s vital to note that this is an irreversible dental procedure. The tooth may need a proper structural restoration that acts as its enamel. A dental crown may take more than one visit to the restorative dentist. However, it gives a long-term dental solution for a broken tooth for years.
– Dental Bridges: Dental bridges are used to replace a single or multiple rows of missing teeth. They are structured artificial teeth with similar functions and capabilities as natural teeth.
– Dental Veneers: They are usually preserved for mild to moderate tooth breaks on the front part of a tooth. They are tooth-shaped restorations cemented to the front part of the tooth. They hide tooth flaws and serve as artificial enamels. Veneers need a couple of visits to your dentist. However, some veneers need removal of parts of the enamel from the tooth front, and veneers are used without changing the tooth’s actual shape.
– Root Canal Treatment (RCT): Root canal treatments by restorative dentists often are for badly damaged or cracked teeth. RCT removes soft tissues from the tooth pulp chamber. This is because severe tooth damage often affects this tooth part, making it vulnerable to infection and further breakage. By cleaning the tooth’s content in its pulp chamber, it stops or prevents further tooth destruction. Restored teeth using root canal treatment are also covered with crowns that protect them from further damage possibilities.
– Dental Composite Bonding: It is a non-invasive and affordable way to treat and fix mild to moderate tooth breaks. Composites are made from several mixtures of plastic and glass that repair damage to the tooth. Composites are first of all matched with the tooth color of the patient to make repairs look natural.
The advantage is that it is fast to complete and restore the damaged tooth in a single dental visit. There are changes to the tooth before applying the composite. Restorative or cosmetic dentists roughen the tooth surface and edge with etching solutions and apply the composite in layers. It’s hardened with ultraviolet light and polished to finish the treatment.
