What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing and restoring damaged or missing teeth to improve their function and appearance. This can involve procedures like fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures to fix cavities, fractures, or tooth loss. The goal is to restore the natural shape, function, and strength of the teeth while maintaining a natural look. Essentially, restorative dentistry helps people maintain a healthy smile and regain the ability to eat and speak comfortably.
This area of dentistry brings together multiple disciplines – including Implant Dentistry, Endodontics, Cosmetic Dentistry, and Prosthodontics – to provide tailored solutions depending on each case. Treatment may involve simple procedures like fillings, or more complex work such as crowns, bridges, root canal treatment, dental implants, or full dentures.
For patients with several dental issues affecting multiple teeth, full mouth rehabilitation may be recommended. This comprehensive approach restores the full set of teeth by combining different treatments across the four disciplines, helping patients regain function and confidence.
Restorative procedures are typically carried out by general dentists with training in this field and play an important role in preventing further damage, preserving remaining teeth, and supporting long-term oral health.
Crowns
A dental crown is a custom-made cap that covers a damaged, weakened, or aesthetically compromised tooth, restoring its shape, size, strength, and appearance. Crowns are commonly used to protect teeth with large fillings, severe decay, fractures, or after a root canal treatment. The procedure typically involves two visits: during the first, the dentist prepares the tooth by removing any decay, shaping it for the crown, and taking impressions to ensure a precise fit. A temporary crown is placed while the permanent one is crafted in a dental lab. On the second visit, the final crown, made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination, is cemented into place, blending seamlessly with the natural teeth for long-lasting function and aesthetics.
Bridges
A dental bridge is a way to replace one or more missing teeth by using the nearby teeth for support. It consists of artificial teeth, called pontics, which are held in place by crowns placed on the neighbouring teeth. The procedure usually takes two visits. In the first visit, the dentist reshapes the nearby teeth, takes impressions, and places a temporary bridge. In the second visit, the custom-made bridge is cemented in place. Bridges help restore a natural smile, make chewing easier, and prevent other teeth from shifting out of place.
Implants
A dental implant is a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. It is when a small titanium post is surgically placed into the jawbone, acting as an artificial tooth root. Over time, the bone fuses with the implant, creating a strong foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture. The procedure is done in stages: first, the implant is placed in the bone and left to heal for a few months. Once healed, a connector (abutment) is attached, and finally, a custom-made crown is placed on top. Implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth, helping with chewing, speaking, and preventing bone loss in the jaw.
Dentures
Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth that help restore the ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently. They come in two types: full dentures, which replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw, and partial dentures, which fill gaps when some natural teeth remain. The process involves taking impressions of the mouth to create custom-fitted dentures. Once ready, they are adjusted for comfort and function. Modern dentures are designed to look natural and fit securely, though they may take some time to get used to. Regular cleaning and adjustments help maintain their fit and comfort over time.
