Restorative dentistry has helped so many people reclaim their radiant smiles each year. Next Smile Wollongong consistently strives for the best possible outcome in all its procedures. With a CBCT scanner on-site and their purpose-built clinic, your journey to reclaiming your smile is quick and seamless. If you’ve been searching for restorative dental in Wollongong, let one of our dentists, with their in-depth knowledge and training, help you to discover treatment options and bring out your brightest smile.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry focuses on restoring the function and aesthetics of missing or broken teeth. Missing or damaged teeth can occur from excessive wear and tear, such as grinding in your sleep, natural defects, external injuries or trauma, and cavities. Without treatment, missing or broken teeth can cause serious problems other than being aesthetically displeasing. Missing or broken teeth untreated are at risk of impacting your oral health and overall health. Not only can these issues make it difficult to eat or speak, but they can also cause the muscles in your face to weaken or sag inwards and potentially lead to weakening of the jawbone. Once treated, not only will your confidence be boosted, but the overall function of your teeth will be restored. For restorative dental in Wollongong, our Next Smile Super Clinic team of dentists lead with empathy and professionalism to transform your smile.
Common Restorative Dentistry Solutions
Missing and broken teeth can leave a gap in your smile and confidence. Still, depending on your situation, there are a few options for restorative dental in Wollongong. A dentist at Wollongong Next Smile Super Clinic will happily and empathetically discuss your situation with you and the best possible outcomes to reach your dental goals. Next Smile Wollongong is passionate about finding the proper treatment to transform people’s lives. These are some treatments available to restore your smile and confidence:
1. Single tooth implants
Single tooth implants are where a screw, usually titanium, is surgically inserted precisely where the missing tooth is into the jawbone to function as an artificial root. Once the implant has fused to the bone and healed, a tooth that matches the remaining natural teeth in size, colour, and shape, is attached.
This is a good treatment for those that wish to keep their remaining natural teeth intact. By replacing the gap in the teeth, the treatment restores functionality so that you can eat all the foods you once enjoyed, unlike other treatments that may restrict this. A single tooth implant functions just as a natural tooth, but it is artificial, so it is not prone to decay and helps to preserve the natural bone. It also preserves the surrounding natural teeth without causing further damage to them.
Single-tooth implants do, however, require surgery and sometimes uncomfortable bone grafts to ensure the implant's stability. They can become quite costly when needing a bone graft or multiple implants. Multiple single-tooth implants can also mean a longer healing process before the gaps are filled in your smile. They are not always an immediate solution as the single implant usually needs to fuse to the bone before a tooth is attached not to impact the remaining natural teeth.
2. Bridges
Dental bridges are attached to the natural teeth on either side of the gap of the missing tooth or teeth. They are usually made of porcelain or metal, a mixture of the two, or zirconia. In preparation for a dental bridge, a dentist at Wollongong Next Smile Super Clinic will file down the surrounding teeth and make a mould. Once the final bridge has been manufactured, a dentist will fix it with dental cement or an implant to fill the gap in your smile.
A dental bridge will restore your natural smile and make it easier to speak normally again, as missing teeth can make it difficult to enunciate certain words. It will also prevent more serious oral issues, such as jawbone or muscle deterioration caused by broken or missing teeth. A dental bridge will also improve your bite by ensuring remaining natural teeth won’t start moving into the gap and allow you to chew efficiently.
If a bridge requires an implant, then it will require surgery. This may make it not a good option for some. A dental bridge also relies on the health of the surrounding teeth. These teeth may decay over time depending on your oral health, which can affect the longevity of the dental bridge.
3. Dentures
Dentures can be partial or full and are a set of false teeth to replace natural teeth. Partial dentures are made of metal or plastic with small metal clasps to grip the remaining natural teeth to hold them in place. Whereas full dentures, usually made of plastic, are held in place with the muscles in your mouth and partially rely on the suction of your gums to stay in place.
Dentures are typically cheaper as they do not require surgery or any foreign objects inserted into the jaw. They can restore a natural-looking smile and prevent facial muscle deterioration caused by missing teeth. With missing or broken teeth, you are at risk of periodontal disease and tooth decay; dentures reduce this risk and act as a natural set of teeth.
Because full dentures rely on the muscles inside your mouth to stay in place, they are not completely secure. This can cause them to move, be ill-fitting, or overstimulate your saliva glands, causing excess saliva. They can take a little getting used to and limit what foods you can enjoy. Usually, full dentures must be taken out each night and are not permanent as they only last five-ten years.
4. Root canal
This treatment eliminates the bacteria from the root canal to preserve the natural tooth. Once the infected pulp has been carefully cleared away, it is cleaned and disinfected before filling and sealing.
Root canals are generally a relatively painless procedure compared to tooth extractions. It keeps the natural tooth intact and limits the need for ongoing dental work. Because of this, it is a cost-effective treatment.
Sometimes a specialist may need to drill a hole in the tooth to extract the infected pulp; this may cause the tooth to weaken. Also, depending on the severity of the case and the location, upper front molars can have three-five root canals, and multiple appointments may be required to treat it.
All-on-4®
All-on-4® is an advanced restorative dental method. The All-on-4® treatment method, pioneered by Dr Paulo Malo in partnership with Nobel Biocare, involves a set of permanent natural-looking teeth (a full bridge) held in place with four implants, two in the front and two in the back, inserted into the jawbone.
This medically advanced process can give you a new set of teeth within 24 hours, but usually on the same day as the surgery. Your new set of teeth is fully functioning for you to chew, bite, laugh, and smile. There is also peace of mind with the highly experienced staff at Next Smile Super Clinic leading in restorative dental in Wollongong and a passion for transforming people’s lives. The innovative method of All-on-4® is clinically proven with a 98% success rate. There is no need for bone grafts which keeps the average cost lower and fewer appointments needed.
This ground-breaking technique means you can restore your smile sooner than you may have thought. During your consultation, a dentist at Wollongong Next Smile Super Clinic will dive deep into your dental and health history and discuss your dental goals and potential outcomes. After the surgery, you will be fitted with your new set of provisional teeth within 24 hours. While you enjoy your new teeth, your final bridge is manufactured and refined to your preferences.
Choose Next Smile Wollongong for Your All-on-4® Treatment
Missing and broken teeth can cause further oral health issues and a lack of confidence and impact your overall health. But where do you find world-leading restorative dental in Wollongong?
Next Smile Wollongong has a team that leads with innovation, professionalism, integrity and empathy while ensuring their clients are comfortable. To book a consultation or find out more information, contact us.