Restorative Dentistry – Dental Crowns and Fillings

Teeth can be damaged as a result of any number of causes – tooth decay, injury, bad habits or excessive wear and tear. When your teeth have been compromised, restorative dentistry can make them whole again, improving your smile’s appearance and function.

Restorative dentistry can also make your smile complete again after tooth loss, improving the smile’s appearance and protecting the remaining teeth.

Different restoration options are suitable in different cases, with more extensively damaged areas requiring larger restorations. Your dentist will review the various possibilities with you. All restorations use materials with a natural appearance that can be tailored to blend seamlessly with the rest of your smile.

The Benefits Of Restoring Damaged Or Missing Teeth

You gain numerous benefits when you choose to have damaged teeth restored or missing teeth replaced. Damaged and missing teeth detract from your appearance, so there are aesthetic advantages to pursuing restorative dentistry interventions.

Additionally, structurally compromised teeth are less functional and they can cause discomfort. Having a cavity filled or a crown placed on a tooth can address these issues.

Restorative Dentistry | Imagine Family Dentistry | St. George UT

Even missing teeth can cause harm to neighboring teeth after tooth loss occurs. For example, the teeth may begin to shift to fill in the empty space or they may be subjected to unusually strong chewing forces that can potentially damage them. A restoration like a fixed dental bridge will prevent these outcomes.

For more information about our restorative dentistry services or to schedule a consultation, call our office.

Choosing The Restoration Option That Is The Best Fit For You

The restorative dentistry treatment plan is based on the extent of damage to the tooth and the patient’s desired treatment outcomes. In order to repair the tooth, your dentist may recommend one of the following interventions:

  • Tooth-colored Fillings
  • Dental Crowns
  • Dental Bridges
  • Partial or full Dentures
  • Dental Implants

Root canal therapy, in which diseased tooth pulp is removed from the tooth and the empty chamber cleaned and re-filled with an inert material, is another restorative dentistry intervention that may be employed to preserve a damaged tooth.

Achieving A Lifelike Appearance With Restorative Dentistry

We understand that your smile is an important component of your appearance, and an incomplete smile can affect your self-esteem as well as your health. That’s why we work closely with you to restore your teeth in a way that looks natural and does not stand out from your surrounding teeth.

The materials used in modern restorations, including ceramics and porcelain, share many optical qualities with biological tooth enamel, making restorations almost indistinguishable from natural teeth.

Furthermore, all of our restorations are custom-designed to match the shade of your biological teeth. We can also use restorations in combination with teeth whitening treatments to improve on the shade of your smile if desired.

Common Restorative Dentistry Questions

What is a dental crown?

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is bonded on top of a biological tooth in order to cover the entirety of that tooth extending to the gumline. Dental crowns can be made of a variety of materials, including gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal. Different materials may be suitable in different circumstances, and your dentist can recommend the type of crown that will best meet your needs.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge consists of a pontic, which is a single prosthetic crown or multiple attached crowns, that is anchored in place by dental crowns placed on adjacent teeth on both sides of the gap left behind following tooth loss. Those crowns may also be placed atop dental implants. Dental bridges are made of materials that mimic the appearance of tooth enamel so that they look just as natural as your biological teeth. Dental bridges are fixed appliances, which means that they cannot be removed after they are placed.

When is a fixed bridge recommended?

A fixed dental bridge may be recommended to replace a single missing tooth or multiple missing teeth in the same space. Dental bridges enhance both your smile’s appearance and its structure and functioning. In restoring a patient’s smile after tooth loss, a fixed dental bridge can preserve your ability to chew and speak properly, as well as reduce strain on the remaining teeth in the smile and ensure that those teeth remain in their proper positions.

When is a crown recommended?

Dental crowns can be useful in many scenarios, such as when a tooth is affected by a cavity that is too large to be addressed by a traditional filling. A dentist may also place a dental crown in order to protect a tooth following root canal treatment or to anchor a fixed dental bridge. Dental crowns can also conceal misshapen or undersized teeth, and they are placed on top of dental implants to complete the tooth replacement process.