You’ve probably seen the term “restorative dentistry” floating around Facebook or your newsfeed, but what exactly is it? Or, how can you find out more about it?
Restorative dentistry is a type of dental care that aims to repair teeth and help people return to a healthy, normal oral hygiene routine. While regular dental checkups are essential for keeping your teeth in great shape, restorative dentistry can help you get the most out of your dental visit and prevent future problems from arising.
If you’ve ever experienced a toothache that’s just not going away, you’re not alone. Tooth pain is the most common reason people visit the dentist and can be a sign of something more serious, such as a cavity or a root canal. Fortunately, restorative dentistry near Kearney can help you get rid of those aches and pain, fix any damage your teeth have sustained, and help you get back to a healthy, normal oral hygiene routine.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
In a nutshell, restorative dentistry repairs damage to teeth, soft tissue, and the supporting structures of the mouth.
- Soft Tissue: Damaged tooth enamel is removed and the tooth’s dentin is exposed. Dentin is the supportive tissue that makes up the core of the tooth and is not visible to the naked eye.
- Bony Structures: Fractured, chipped, or missing teeth are replaced with functional, conservative replicas.
- Gum recession: If the tooth-exposed bone is treated, the gum tissue that holds the tooth in place is saved and a periodontist is consulted to remove the excess gum tissue around the teeth to prevent it from further damaging the teeth.
- Periodontal disease: If the periodontal disease has progressed too far, the teeth are removed and the underlying bone is cleared and weakened, known as root planing, to reduce the chances of future gum disease.
What Conditions Can It Treat?
Although restorative dentistry can treat a wide range of dental conditions, there are a few it is particularly helpful for. These include:
- Toothache: A tooth that’s become infected, fractured, or decayed can cause a toothache.
- Chronic or recurrent gum disease: If you have gum disease that’s been untreated for an extended period of time, it can eat away at the supporting tissues of your teeth and cause them to become less dense. This can lead to toothache.
- Cavities: If your teeth are filled with bacteria and/or mineral buildup, you may experience a toothache. This is because bacteria cause tooth decay and the minerals found in plaque can turn into acid when transferred to the tooth surface, causing tooth enamel to disintegrate and become less dense.
How Does Restorative Dentistry Work?
In order to fix your teeth, the dentist will likely start by taking an x-ray of your mouth to identify any problems. The x-ray is used to see the extent of any damage to your teeth and determine what repairs are needed. If a cavity, infection, or other problem is detected, the x-ray is used to map out a treatment plan.
During the dental procedure, your dentist will most likely:
- Ligature: A ligature is a band that’s used to hold your teeth in place during a dental procedure. The ligature is then removed once the procedure is complete. They’re typically used to hold teeth in place during a root canal, but can also be used as a temporary fix while you’re experiencing a toothache.
- Outer Hydraulic Dam: An outer hydraulic dam is a thin, plastic membrane that’s placed over your teeth after a root canal to protect them from dehydration and extreme temperature change. They can be bought over-the-counter, but are typically used as a result of a toothache.
- Retained or excess tooth: Your dentist may notice that you have an extra tooth or teeth and recommend removing them. If not possible, your dentist may glue or use a dental crown to protect your tooth, or you can try a non-surgical approach by using toothpaste with baking soda.
How Much Does Restorative Dentistry Cost?
The cost of a dental visit will vary depending on several factors, including where you live, how extensive the work is, and the dental insurance coverage you have. For example, dental work performed as part of a routine cleaning in an office setting could cost as little as $50, while a root canal could cost as much as $900.
Many insurance companies will cover a portion of the cost of restorative dentistry, but it’s important to verify with your provider first so you don’t end up paying for services you didn’t receive. If you don’t have insurance, most dental plans should cover restorative services. You should also expect to pay out of pocket for restorative work after your insurance coverage runs out.
How to Find the Best Restorative Dentist
There are a lot of great dentists out there, and finding the best one for you can be a challenge. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be a challenge to find a great dentist.
Here are a few tips for finding a great restorative dentist:
- Ask your friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. They’re likely to know someone who is great at what they do.
- Check out the local dental association’s website for a list of dental members in your area. Look for dentists who are members of the association.
- Not all dental practices are equipped to perform all types of restorative procedures. Make sure the dentist you choose is a good fit for the kind of work you need.