Visit a Restorative Dentist to Repair Damaged Teeth

Your restorative dentist can offer different treatment modalities for your damaged teeth. There are different degrees of dental damage. A thorough assessment can help the dentist determine which can help you the most. Here are the details on what a restorative dentist can use to treat your damaged teeth.

Dental fillings

Tooth decay can cause cavities, and these damage the enamel layer of teeth. The restorative dentist can apply dental fillings to correct the problem. Cleaning the affected teeth will come first. The dentist will then grind away the decayed parts.

Roughening the area will follow. Rinsing and drying the tooth will make the tooth ready for the filling material. The dentist will discuss the different types of filling available. Applying the right type of filling can meet the patient’s aesthetic needs.

Root canal

There are cases when dental damage reaches the pulp. The damage can come from decay or trauma. Cavities or fractures can worsen enough to reach the pulp. An opening to this deep part of the tooth can introduce bacteria and debris into the blood vessels and nerves. This can cause intense pain that needs treatment right away.

The restorative dentist will perform a root canal to stop the pain. Some patients just need a local anesthetic to numb the area. Patients with dental anxiety will need dental sedation before the procedure. The dentist will then create an opening through the top of the tooth.

Cleaning out the damaged pulp will follow. The dentist will disinfect and dry the tooth before filling the pulp cavity with gutta-percha. This type of filling material will help stabilize the weakened tooth. Getting an impression of the treated tooth will help the lab produce a custom crown. This restoration will help strengthen the tooth’s bite. It can also improve the tooth’s appearance, as well as protect it from future damage.

Dental implants

In some cases, dental damage becomes too severe for repairs. Decay or trauma may reach the area beyond the gumline. The restorative dentist will not be able to repair the tooth if this is the case. A dental extraction will be necessary to stop the pain or prevent the infection from spreading to other areas.

The restorative dentist can place the titanium rod as soon as the tooth leaves its socket. This removes the need to drill into the jawbone. Stitching the gums over the rod will encourage healing. The fusion of the rod and jawbone will take four to six months. Healing time will depend on the person’s ability to heal.

Installing the titanium abutment will happen after complete osseointegration. The restorative dentist will stitch the gum tissue around the abutment afterward. Taking an impression of the treated area will help the lab create a custom dental crown. Once it is ready, the dentist will install it. The patient can then step out of the clinic with a new smile.

Dental crowns

Dental damage may affect a significant part of the enamel. Decay may weaken the enamel enough to chip away or crack a significant part of it. The restorative dentist will treat the damage first and then grind away a good amount of dental structure. Taking an impression of the tooth will follow.

The impression will help create a custom-fit dental crown. The patient can wear a temporary crown while the lab is still working on the permanent one. Fitting the permanent crown will follow as soon as the restoration is ready. Some adjustments will be necessary. The dentist will then cement the crown on the treated tooth. A curing light will harden the cement, allowing the patient to leave the clinic with a new smile.