What is restorative dentistry?
Restorative dentistry, in general, is restoring what was there, what was perfect. We try to put back in as good as possible as we were born with. You have enamel on your teeth, and you get a cavity in there. A cavity basically just eats the enamel away, kind of like rust or rotting wood. You remove the rust or the rotting wood till it's sound and sturdy, and we create a new material to replace what's failed due to decay, cavities, or wear. That's the basic definition of restorative dentistry.
What is the difference between restorative and cosmetic dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry falls in the same category as restorative. A lot of people want brighter smiles, more symmetrical, what we call movie star smiles, and we love doing that. That's easy to do, but first of all, it has to be healthy. We make sure all the decay is taken care of, all the fillings are done, any kind of crowns that need to be done. Crowns cover the teeth. Restorative and cosmetic go hand in hand. To make a movie star's natural smile, not an artificial-looking smile, is quite an art form, and we take a lot of pride in that.
What conditions would require restorative dentistry?
Fillings: A basic filling is where you have a cavity. A cavity is like rotting wood or rust in a car metal. We remove the old, get sound structure, and fill it with composite, a white material. It's light-cured, bonds to the tooth, contoured, and polished to look pretty and beautiful. It's almost like you don't even know it's there. Structurally sound with great hygiene, flossing, and all that, a filling can last a long, long time.
Crowns: A tooth needs a crown when it has more filling material in it than actual enamel, making it a kind of time bomb. If a tooth has a lot of filling in it, maybe some decay around it, we can remove that filling, put a new filling in, and then put a crown over it. The crown looks just like a tooth and is structurally sound. With great hygiene, crowns can last 30, 40, 50 years, making them a great investment and return on investment.
Inlays and Onlays: Inlays and onlays are like a filling. We prep, remove the decay in the tooth, and instead of placing a direct filling in it at that moment, we take a 3D digital scan and have an inlay fabricated. It's made to exact specifications, returned, and placed into the preparation of the tooth. There are gold inlays, which are more old school but, in our opinion, the best, and porcelain inlays, which are beautiful. Onlays cover more of the tooth but not as much as a crown.
Root Canals: A root canal is needed when a tooth has an abscess or infection, often due to a big filling or cavity close to the nerve. We go inside the tooth, clean out the blood and nerve innervation that feeds the tooth, disinfect the site, seal up the canals, and put a crown on it. The tooth should be good forever. A root canal is a great way to save a tooth, and it's much less cost and time than an implant.
Bridges: A bridge is used if you have a space with a missing tooth between two healthy teeth. We prepare these teeth, fabricate a bridge that slides on top, and cement it on. It's a great way to restore a tooth, very economical, and has been time-tested for over 90 years. Compared to an implant, a bridge is a solid choice.
Implants: Implants replace a missing tooth. Ideally, you plan for it by placing a bone graft at the extraction site. An implant is a titanium post placed in the bone, and after some time, a crown is placed on it. It's the best way to replace a missing tooth, bar none, and nothing to worry about after that.
Dentures: If you don't have many teeth left, dentures are considered. They're not glamorous but a necessity. We take impressions, fabricate them, and provide them as artificial teeth. They're essential for those who can't eat properly without teeth. We make them comfortable and fit excellently, although we try to steer away from them if possible.
Is anesthesia or sedation used during restorative dental procedures?
We do not use gas or IV sedation in our office. It's very rare that anyone needs anesthesia for a filling or similar procedure. We use a topical anesthetic gel on the gum tissue, which becomes numb, and then administer the anesthesia. Our procedures don't warrant gas or IV sedation.
Are there any risks associated with procedures from restorative dentistry?
The risks of not doing restorative dentistry are greater than doing it. A cavity can turn into a major infection, leading to an abscess and even death. The only minor risks with dentistry might be some soreness or sensitivity after a filling, but these are minimal and manageable compared to not getting the work done.