Whether you call it dental restoration, tooth restoration or restorative dentistry, the key word is “restore”. This mode of dentistry focuses on replacing teeth that are missing or repairing ones that are damaged to bring back the former glory of your natural smile or create for you a brand-new one. Dental restoration can undo the damage and bring new life to your smile. But understanding how starts with one fundamental question: “what is dental restoration?”
Dental restoration is the practice of repairing or replacing damaged or missing teeth in order to improve function and oral health. It’s different from cosmetic dentistry, specifically meant to enhance the appearance of your smile. Some treatments, however, have both restorative and cosmetic outcomes.
There are numerous dental restoration treatments, and not all are about fixing major problems or making dramatic changes. A simple filling is a form of restorative dentistry. What dental restoration is can be more or less elaborate depending on your dental needs and the harm caused. This article explores the topic further to address common questions like “what is restorative dental care?” and “what are dental restorative services?”
It’s likely you’ve already had some dental restoration work done in the past and may even need it some right now. If you need help figuring out which form of dental treatment is best for your situation, contact Next Smile Australia.
Who Needs Restorative Dentistry?
You need dental restoration if you have missing teeth, cavities, or broken or damaged teeth. This type of treatment improves your oral health, ability to chew, smile, and chances of staying free of further issues.
Missing teeth aren’t something you should choose to ignore. On top of negatively impacting your self-confidence, they can cause various health problems and complications: teeth shifting out of place, difficulties with speech and chewing, increased risk of losing more teeth, and gum disease. Bacteria from gum disease can spread throughout the body and cause serious illness in other areas.
What is the dental restoration treatment you need? That depends on your situation. Next Smile Australia can help you discover which treatment options are best for you.
Types of Dental Restoration Treatments
What are the dental restorative services you may come across when seeking out treatment? Some of the most common types include
Fillings
Any person of any age can get a dental cavity. Cavities are tiny holes that form when your teeth are damaged by tooth decay. Eating or drinking a lot of sugar, not cleaning your teeth properly and not getting enough fluoride into your mouth can all increase your risk of tooth decay. A filling is generally a short, simple treatment that stops the risk of tooth decay in its tracks. Your dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth and fills the hole with a tooth-coloured composite material.
Crowns
Also known as a dental cap, a crown is a covering that fits over an entire tooth. It’s a treatment often used to fix broken or badly damaged teeth. A crown is prepared by taking a mould of the tooth and making a replacement designed to blend in with the other teeth. Your dentist will use dental cement or adhesive to cover the existing tooth with the crown. Although the crown itself isn’t subject to tooth decay, the edge of your original tooth is, and it’s important to keep brushing and booking check-ups.
Root Canal Therapy
What is restorative dental care for a severely damaged or infected tooth? Often, root canal therapy is the answer. Advanced tooth decay, gum disease, injury or other attacks on the tooth can lead to a deep infection that jeopardises the tooth. A root canal can save the natural tooth and prevent the need for an artificial one. Your dentist removes the bacteria-infested pulp from the inside of your tooth and replaces it with a sterile filling.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a standard treatment option when you need to replace missing teeth but not a whole mouthful. It works like this: false teeth fill the gap caused by lost teeth and are attached to the adjacent teeth on either side of the space, essentially forming a “bridge”. Dental bridges look natural, are easy to care for and keep the problems caused by gaps in your smile at bay.
Dentures
Also known as “false teeth”, dentures are a useful treatment for patients who have lost all or most of their natural teeth. They come in two main types: full dentures for people who have lost all of their teeth in either the upper or lower jaws (or both) and partial dentures for those who still have some remaining.
Traditional Dental Implants
If you’re wondering, “what is a dental restoration service that provides a permanent solution?” dental implants are a strong choice. This treatment involves titanium screws inserted into the jawbone to replace the roots of the missing teeth and artificial teeth or “crowns” attached to the top. Dental implants are an effective way to gain a whole new smile, but they can involve long recovery processes and painful procedures such as bone grafting.
All-on-4® Dental Implants
What is the dental restoration treatment that’s best for you? With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide on one. All-on-4®, however, is a revolutionary approach to dental implants and an advanced dental restoration procedure. Designed to replace severely broken down teeth or replacing multiple tooth loss, it is a denture alternative. Pioneered by Dr Paulo Malo in 1998, in partnership with Nobel Biocare, All-on-4® involves a brand new set of flawless, natural-looking teeth resting on just four implants. All-on-4® avoids the necessity of long recovery periods and uncomfortable procedures such as bone grafting, and it has a 98% success rate over the long term.
Get All-on-4® Dental Implants at Next Smile Australia
Next Smile Australia can answer questions like “what are dental restorative services?” and “what is restorative dental care?” and find the right treatment. What are the dental restorative services we have available? We focus on delivering the All-on-4® treatment the way Dr Malo intended with a two-bridge process called ‘The Malo Protocol’.
We’re focused on your journey as a patient, which is why we tailor our approach to best suit your needs. Your All-on-4® journey begins with a meeting with one of Next Smile Australia’s team and a deep look into your dental history. Our team member will look into your background and goals to assess your suitability for All-on-4®. If it suits you, we’ll start putting together a treatment plan and begin manufacturing your provisional teeth so they’ll be ready within 24 hours of your surgery and often immediately after.
We offer reasonable, transparent pricing that saves you from having to guess what your restorative dental treatment will cost. We know that money is tight for many people, which is why we offer payment plans through third-party providers for as little as $140 per week.
To find out more about All-on-4® or even arrange a personal consultation, contact Next Smile Australia.