The Role of a Restorative Dentist in Your Oral Health

A restorative dentist is also known as a general or family dentist. Their main priority is to help you maintain optimal oral health. Sometimes, this means restoring or replacing damaged or missing teeth.

What is restorative dentistry?

Restorative dentists repair or replace damaged teeth through various methods. Of course, they try to prevent the need for extensive procedures or the need for restoratives through biannual appointments and preventative services. However, it is not always possible to avoid gum disease, tooth fractures, missing teeth, or decay.

Tooth repair

The tooth comprises two parts: the crown (the visible portion) and the root (below the gum line). These parts consist of three layers: enamel (outer layer), dentin (middle layer), and the pulp (soft chamber that houses nerves and connective tissue). The damage caused to each layer will determine the type of repair the restorative dentist will employ.

If damage results from decay that cannot be reversed, the restorative dentist must remove it manually. This will require drilling through layers of the tooth to remove the decay completely. If the decay has reached the pulp, a root canal is necessary. A root canal involves removing the pulp and replacing it with a material called gutta-percha. Whether a root canal is necessary or not, the drilling has left the tooth compromised, even though the immediate threat of decay is gone. The restorative dentist will need to protect the tooth and restore its function. Here are some of the treatments they may use:

• Dental crown: Also known as a cap, the restorative will engulf the natural tooth
• Dental filling: Using either composite or porcelain materials to shape the space of each tooth layer
• Dental onlay: Covers a larger crack on the enamel using composite or porcelain materials
• Dental inlay: Fills a larger hole than a dental filling can address in the center of the tooth

Tooth replacement

There are times when a tooth needs complete replacement. Tooth loss can result from gum disease, trauma, or jawbone or gum tissue deterioration. The restorative dentist will want to replace missing teeth as quickly as possible. This is due to the likelihood of shifting teeth, poor oral function, jawbone deterioration, gum deterioration, and speech issues. The type of replacement the dentist recommends will vary by patient, as they all have varying candidacy requirements. They will consider the following tooth replacement options:

• Dental bridge: Two crowns and a false tooth will be bonded to adjacent teeth and span the gap of the missing tooth
• Dental implants: Replacing tooth roots with titanium posts by inserting them into the jawbone and attaching a bridge, crown, or denture
• Dentures: For those missing all or a few teeth, dentures can be removable or fixed and simulate natural teeth