The main aim of restorative dentistry is to repair or heal damaged teeth. It focuses on correcting two aspects of the teeth, enhancing appearance or enhancing function. It involves treatments like a root canal, cavity filling, and dental implants. Restorative dental procedures also prevent further infections or ailments from developing in the teeth. They make teeth strong and healthy from the inside so they become functional once again.
Root canal treatment is performed when bacteria enter the pulp of the teeth and cause a spread of infection that can eventually lead to tooth loss. This infection can spread to other teeth as well. The root canal procedure involves the removal of the infected pulp and sealing of the tooth cavity to stop the spread of infection.
The major cause of this infection is untreated cavities and poor oral hygiene. There may be some signs the patient may need to look out for. Heightened sensitivity to hot and cold foods, over longing pain, swollen gums, etc. A quick dental check-up is the best way to know if the patient needs a root canal treatment.
Root canal treatments generally take 1 to 2 appointments for completion and approximately 60 minutes are required for a single appointment. After the treatment, teeth sensitivity is commonly observed in patients and generally goes away on its own.
Cavity filling dental procedures focus on removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling the hollow cavity with filler material. The procedure begins by numbing the area of the operation. Then, the decayed or infected parts are removed with the help of lasers or drills especially designed for dental operations. Then the decayed parts are observed for signs of sensitivity and any germ build-up that is left behind. Then, the cavity created is cleansed and all the debris is also cleared. This space is supposed to be filled with filler material. The material is generally composed of composite resin or glass ionomer. After filling the cavity, it is sealed and polished and the teeth are left to heal and recover.
These were some types of treatments available under restorative dentistry, there are many more such kinds of treatments available under this category. Let us understand more about restorative dentistry.
Eligible patients
There are various dental ailments and diseases that require professional dental treatments. Some patients may also have extremely damaged teeth and wish to heal them. Restorative dentistry focuses on latter patients. It helps in controlling the effects of such damage and limits further damage. Specifically, patients prone to cavities, tooth loss, tooth decay, and other dental ailments, are the patients eligible for treatments that come under restorative dentistry.
Types of Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry has various treatments available. However, there are some tools under restorative dentistry that are commonly used in various procedures like cavity filling, implant placement, etc.
Other tools like crowns are used to restore broken teeth. Inlay and Onlay are also good options available in restorative dentistry. They are used when the cavity is too big or too small and no other tool like fillers or crowns can be used to fix it. They fit the cavity by adjusting around its shape, and of course, they are custom-made.
Dental bridges also come under restorative dentistry. They are used to replace one or two missing teeth or a whole set. Its structure includes an artificial tooth along with crowns on either of its sides. These bridges are bonded permanently with the natural teeth.
Dental implants are another tool under restorative dentistry. They can replace natural tooth roots if they are damaged in any way. After a crown is added over it, it begins to function like a natural tooth.
Dentures are also a type of dental restorative tool. They are used for replacing missing teeth.
Advantages of Restorative Dentistry
Dental restorative procedures also have many advantages over restoring teeth conditions to normal. Sometimes teeth begin functioning even better than before. Another advantage is that the patient is relieved of any pain the dental illness or condition may be causing. Improved appearance is another advantage of restorative dentistry. Procedures like tooth filling improve the functioning as well as the appearance as a sealed, polished tooth looks much better than a tooth with a cavity in it. Also, restorative dentistry treatments make sure that the teeth do not catch any other disease in the future as it focuses on treating the major cause of a dental ailment and not just superficial ones. The chewing function of the teeth is also restored.
Risks of restorative dentistry
Restorative dentistry has some drawbacks, the most common being hypersensitivity. After restorative procedures, it is common for patients to experience heightened teeth sensitivity. Allergic reactions are another disadvantage. The patient could be allergic to one or more metals used in the preparation of tools used in a restorative dental procedure. Infections are also possible. Restorative tools like crowns or implants can sometimes get damaged and chipped. It may also require the removal in sensitive conditions of teeth. Also, tooth filling procedures can quickly lead up to a root canal procedure which some patients may not want.
Recovery duration
Since there are a number of treatments available under restorative dentistry, the healing period for the treatments varies. A number of factors also affect the healing. The number of teeth also affects it. If there are one or two teeth that have undergone a procedure, they will heal within a period of a few months. Whereas, if the whole set of teeth has undergone treatment, then it will take much longer for the teeth to heal. The type of teeth can also affect the recovery duration. If the teeth are sensitive, it will take them time to heal completely since such teeth have heightened sensations and inflammation which does not allow the teeth as well as gums to stay stable and become functional.