The term “restorative dentistry” is a powerful one, because it can take aspects of your smile you’re self-conscious about and fully restore your confidence. Cashmere Family Dentistry proudly provides our patients with modern restorative treatments to help you smile with confidence once more!
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry repairs damaged teeth and replaces those that are missing. If you have teeth that are damaged, decayed, or missing, restorative dentistry procedures can help rebuild your smile and enhance your oral health. This restoration process also significantly boosts your self-esteem, positively impacting your overall well-being.
We’re going to break down the main treatments Dr. Janie and Dr. Ryan Busk offer in our practice, and how they can be solutions for various conditions.
1. Root Canal Therapy: Saving Your Natural Teeth
There’s no need to feel anxious about root canals, despite popular belief. When done properly, root canal therapy comfortably treats teeth severely affected by infection or damage. Post-treatment, your treated tooth functions normally again, letting you comfortably enjoy all types of food better than before.
Procedure Details:
- We remove the infected pulp within the tooth
- We clean and seal the tooth to prevent further damage
Benefits:
- Immediate pain elimination
- Keeps your original tooth intact
- Stops further complications from occurring
2. Crowns and Bridges: Bringing Back Function and Appearance
Missing or damaged teeth can significantly impact your daily activities and self-confidence. Crowns and bridges efficiently restore both function and aesthetics.
Dental Crowns:
- Protective covers are placed on damaged teeth
- Strengthen and safeguard teeth from further damage
Dental Bridges:
- Replace gaps created by missing teeth
- Anchored between crowns, ensuring stability and preventing movement of adjacent teeth
Advantages:
- Improved chewing and speech clarity
- Prevent teeth from moving out of position
- Dramatically enhances your smile
3. Dentures and Partials: Comfortable Solutions for Missing Teeth
Dentures or partials offer excellent options if you’re missing multiple teeth. Today’s dentures are tailored for comfort and a natural appearance.
Complete Dentures:
- Replace an entire set of missing teeth
- Customized to your mouth for optimal comfort
Partial Dentures:
- Ideal if some natural teeth remain
- Able to fill gaps and maintain the stability of the remaining teeth
Advantages:
- Restores your ability to chew, speak, and smile freely
- Enhances facial structure
- Comfortable, custom-fit tailored to your mouth
4. Dental Implants: Long-Lasting, Natural-Looking Results
Dental implants are a lasting solution closely mimicking natural teeth, restoring your full dental function and improving your smile’s appearance.
What Are Dental Implants?
- Titanium posts are placed into the jawbone
- Securely support crowns, bridges, or dentures
Advantages:
- Look and function just like natural teeth
- Permanent and low-maintenance
- Preserve jawbone structure
FAQs About Restorative Dentistry
Cashmere Family Dentistry is always available to answer any questions that you might have during or prior to treatment, but the following questions are ones we hear quite often.
Q: Are restorative dental procedures painful?
A: Our practice’s restorative procedures use local anesthetics and advanced dental techniques, which make the experience much more comfortable compared to those of the past. You might experience mild discomfort after certain procedures, but it’s typically temporary and manageable with over-the-counter pain medication.
Q: How long do restorative dental treatments last?
A: The longevity of restorative dental treatments really depends on the type of procedure and your oral hygiene habits. With proper oral care and regular dental check-ups, our procedures can last for a long time:
- Fillings can last 5-15 years.
- Crowns and bridges often last 10-20 years or more.
- Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
Q: Will my insurance cover restorative dental procedures?
A: The majority of dental insurance plans cover at least some restorative treatments, especially those considered necessary for oral health, such as fillings, crowns, root canals, and dentures. Dental implants or cosmetic restorations may have varied coverage depending on your insurance policy. Our expert team can clarify your specific coverage during your consultation.
The Consequences of Waiting
We do want to mention a few of the potential consequences that can arise from waiting too long on necessary restorative procedures.
- Increased Risk of Infection: Infections may spread to adjacent teeth, gums, or jawbone, and in severe cases, lead to systemic health issues requiring urgent medical intervention
- Tooth Loss and Bone Loss: Without timely restoration, severely damaged or decayed teeth may become unsalvageable and require extraction.
- Higher Treatment Costs and Complexity: Delaying your restorative dental care typically means future treatment becomes more complex and expensive.
On The Mend
We will always do our best to thoroughly explain the reasoning and goals behind any procedures well before you commit to any treatment plans. We would love to speak to you more about your dental health—you can request an appointment with us here!
