Sometimes a tooth can become at risk of being lost, either from trauma or from tooth decay. Restorative dentistry is a specialized area of dentistry that focuses on keeping these teeth healthy and strong in your mouth. If you do lose a tooth, restorative dentistry can help replace your missing teeth, preventing problems from arising later on.

There are several different areas of restorative dentistry that we can work on with our patients. These include restorations such as crowns, bridges, and tooth-colored fillings. We also work for patients who have a severe infection, we can provide them with root canal therapy.

Dental fillings can help preserve a tooth that has been affected by tooth decay. While metal amalgam fillings were popular in the past, today, we like to use tooth-colored filling materials when we work on our patients. The materials that we use are generally a combination of silica in a resin base, called composite resin, or porcelain. These materials can be dyed to match your surrounding teeth and are great for patients who would like a dental restoration but do not want to call needless attention to their filling.

Also known as caps, dental crowns are a type of restoration that helps treat a tooth that has been severely damaged by tooth decay or injury. It can cover a cavity that is too deep for a filling. Porcelain is a popular choice for this restoration as it looks natural and is durable. Crowns can treat not only teeth that have been injured or affected by tooth decay but also teeth that have been worn down by erosion, have severe stains, or a tooth that has recently undergone root canal therapy.

A root canal is a procedure that helps save a tooth that has been greatly damaged by a severe infection. When the pulp inside your tooth “dies,” the tooth may be lost. A root canal removes all of the infection from the tooth, allowing the tooth to be saved. We typically cover the tooth that has received root canal therapy with a crown to help it be strong and durable.

If you have suffered from tooth loss, please know that you are not alone. Nearly 80 percent of all adult Americans are also missing at least one of their teeth. You may be a good candidate for dentures when you are missing an entire arch of teeth (the upper or the bottom row of teeth). These are a good option for patients who want to replace their teeth but may not want surgery.

If you have lost one or two teeth, a dental bridge can be helpful in restoring your smile. These consist of two supporting teeth, covered by crowns, on either side of the lost tooth. They will hold the pontic, the restoration that resembles a tooth, in place. This can help improve not only the appearance of your smile but your bite force, too. A dental bridge looks and feels natural and can last you a long time if you take good care of it.

If you are interested in learning more about restorative dentistry and how it can benefit you, or to set up an appointment with us for a consultation for any of these procedures, please give us here at Carolina Smiles Family Dentistry a call today at (803) 794-2273!