Understanding Restorative Dentistry and What It Can Do for You
What is restorative dentistry?
A good question I often get is, what is restorative dentistry? It's just a big fancy word for restoring a tooth, fixing a tooth. Most things like fillings, crowns, some bridges, and implants usually fall under the realm of restorative dentistry.
What is the difference between restorative and cosmetic dentistry?
It's probably a subtle definition, but if you think about cosmetic dentistry, it's usually something that's not necessarily broken, but you want to enhance the way it looks. It could be teeth whitening, closing a gap between your teeth, or veneers to make your teeth look bigger and brighter. Things of that nature aim to make it look good. It's functioning okay, but we want to make it look better.
Restorative dentistry really deals more with the function of a tooth and your teeth and mouth. Cosmetic dentistry is more of an elective procedure that you could choose not to do, but if you want to enhance your smile, that would be considered cosmetic dentistry.
What conditions would require a restorative dental procedure?
Most dentists will fall into the realm of a restorative dentist if they're doing fillings, crowns, and things of that nature. People who do more specialized work, like we do here—implants and fixed dentures—probably don't fall under the realm of a restorative dentist. But I would say your average dentist that you go to down the street is a restorative dentist. If you have a cavity, they'll fix it. If you need a crown, they'll fix it. They'll take care of most of your basic dental needs.
Is anesthesia or sedation needed during restorative dental procedures?
People ask me, when you have restorative dentistry, do you have to get numbed up? Do you need anesthesia? Do you need sedation? Most restorative dentistry is done under just local anesthetic. Some really small procedures can be done without any anesthetic. In terms of sedation dentistry, it really depends on the individual. If they have a dental phobia or trouble relaxing for a procedure, then you can consider doing some sedation to make the procedure and experience better.
What are the benefits of restorative dentistry?
The benefits of restorative dentistry include keeping your teeth. If you want to keep your teeth, you should get them fixed when there are problems, such as cavities, chips, or broken teeth. The benefits include being able to chew better and not having pain.
Are there risks associated with restorative dental procedures?
Some people get nervous when they go to the doctor or dentist, wondering if there are any risks involved. Like anything in life, there's obviously a risk factor. It could be minuscule, but there's always a risk, although it's very minor.
Today, with modern medicine and dentistry, it's almost negligible, almost zero risk involved. But you still have to be careful, and the dentist has to be careful. They need to check your health history in case of allergies or reactions to things. You also have to realize that we're using instruments that are sharp, and, for example, the drill is rotating at a very high rate of speed, so we have to be cautious. If a patient moves, we could cause a cut or something of that nature.
How long does it take to recover from restorative dental procedures?
Usually, after you have something simple done, like a filling or crown, once the anesthetic wears off and you're not at risk of chewing on your lip, tongue, or cheek, you're good to go.
For more complicated procedures, like an extraction, you might have to lay low a little longer, but usually, as soon as you're not numb, you're good.
What is the success rate of restorative dental procedures?
Unless there's a problem, it's almost like a 100% success rate. We have to be careful in thinking that everything we do in dentistry is a lifetime procedure. Like I always say, if a natural tooth didn't last a lifetime, an artificial tooth won't last a lifetime either. How long will it last? I don't have a crystal ball.
It depends on how you're going to use it. If you abuse it, it won't last. Some people say six or seven years, but it's hard to say. You have to maintain it, come for checkups, and stay on top of problems before they become big.
How can I schedule a dental appointment to restore my teeth and oral health?
If you’re ready to schedule an exam or would like to learn more about our services, we’d love to hear from you. Call us at (209) 474-8888 or email [email protected]. We look forward to caring for your smile.