What Exactly Is Dental Restoration?

November 15, 2022

Dental restoration is the practice of either replacing missing teeth or repairing existing teeth to restore your smile. Improving the function of your teeth as well as your oral health are two important functions of dental restoration. However, a side effect is having your appearance improve with a beautiful smile.

What exactly does dental restoration involve? The answer may differ for every patient, as no two smiles are the same. Here are a few treatments that dental restoration can involve depending on your unique oral health.

Crowns and Bridges

Dental crowns and bridges are two types of dental restoration that can help restore missing or damaged teeth.

Bridges can replace multiple missing teeth in a row and are constructed using crowns and, in some cases, dental implants. An implant-supported bridge can replace several missing teeth and support jawbone regeneration.

Crowns can restore teeth that have been treated with root canal therapy or those that have been broken, cracked, have a large cavity, or have been damaged by teeth grinding [1].

Dental Implants

Whether you’re missing one or several of your natural teeth, dental implants are an excellent restoration option that, unlike dentures or bridges, replaces the root of your tooth along with the crown.

The implant itself will naturally fuse with your jawbone after insertion, and once healed, your dentist will complete the restoration with a dental crown. The result is a natural-looking tooth or teeth that function like your normal teeth.

Dental implants are a versatile treatment option, so you may have the option for an implant-supported arch or bridge when restoring your smile [2].

Root Canal Therapy and Fillings

A filling is essential to restore your tooth when you have a cavity. However, some cavities cannot be repaired with a filling, which is generally when root canal therapy or additional treatment is needed.

During a root canal therapy procedure, your dentist removes the inner tissue of your tooth and seals the chamber with a biocompatible material. A root canal allows you to keep your natural tooth instead of having it extracted. Teeth that have received root canal therapy may need a dental crown to protect them [3].

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are different from fillings in that they help reinforce the tooth structure rather than weaken it. As with a filling, inlays and onlays require removing any decayed or damaged tissue. However, inlays are generally used when a cavity is too large for a conventional filling, and onlays act as more of a dental crown and cover the cusps of a tooth [4].

Whether an inlay, onlay, or filling would make the most sense for your dental restoration needs will depend on your unique smile. Your dentist will let you know your options during your consultation so you can make the best decision for your teeth.

Do You Need to Restore Your Smile?

If you need to restore any damage to your teeth, whether it be tooth decay, broken teeth, or missing teeth, dental restoration can help. Working with an experienced dentist or specialist in dental restoration, called a prosthodontist, can help you restore the function and beauty of your smile with the most natural-looking results.