What Entails Restorative Dentistry? 

Dentistry is a wide field of study. Many treatments are covered in dentistry to help improve the health of patients. One of the most important areas of focus in dentistry is that of managing the state of teeth. Caring for teeth can impact the overall health of the mouth. It is the main reason why restorative dentistry exists.

What is Restorative Dentistry?

It is a fundamental specialty in dentistry that majors on restoring the health of teeth. The primary agenda if this specialty is to save teeth and increase the lifespan for as long as possible. The dental works are geared toward improving the functionality of the dentition of individuals. The procedures involved also focus on correcting any existing damages that compromise the healthy state of teeth.

Teeth can suffer in many ways. Sometimes it is the external structure of the tooth that is sabotaged, other times the framework, and others the internal structure. In ​Columbia, SC, the focus is on detecting all underlying problems and fixing them to prevent the progression of the damage.

Who Needs Restorative Dental Care?

The largest population that benefits from this type of dental care are adults. As you grow into your adulthood, a lot of external factors affect the health of your teeth. However, children too can benefit from ​Kids First Dental services for any oral restorative needs.

What Issues Are Addressed in Restorative Dental Care?

Having that many factors affect the health of teeth, it may be safe to say that restorative dental care makes the largest part of dentistry. A lot can be done to restore your oral health. Some of the different areas of focus in this specialty include the following:

• Teeth realignment – the misalignment of teeth can cause other oral problems. For one, bad breath becomes part of your life because of plaque caught up between your teeth. You may also have a hard time keeping up with proper oral hygiene if teeth are overlapping. Although orthodontics is in itself a dental specialty, the realignment of teeth still falls under restorative treatments. Devices like braces and retainers are used to correct the positioning of such teeth.
• Tooth fillings – filling a tooth is necessary for when the enamel is damaged. The most common cause of damaged enamel is usually tooth decay. When the enamel is damaged, the cavity allows bacteria and infection into the insides of your tooth. To control this, fillings are necessary. Different types of fillings are used, ranging from amalgam fillings to onlays and inlays.
• Root canal therapy – is usually referred to as endodontics. It is a treatment offered for patients with damaged internals of teeth. It is a common procedure for victims of dental decay. Usually, when a tooth is damaged, it can impact the nerves of the tooth, causing them damage as well. This leads to severe toothaches and infection in the tooth and surrounding tissues. Root canal treatment works by removing the pulp of a tooth to free it from pain and remove the infection.
• Replacing missing teeth – losing an adult tooth prematurely is not a good picture. For one, it deteriorates your cosmetic appearance. Other than that, spaces left behind can pose orthodontic problems, particularly when teeth start to shift. Replacing missing teeth is a form of restoration. It can be done using different appliances, ranging from ​dental bridges to dentures and dental implants. The appliances used work by integrating an artificial replacement material to fill the gap created by the missing tooth. In the case of bridges, a pontic is used, whereas a titanium metal post is used in the care of dental implants.
• Gum reconstruction – the gums play an important role in holding teeth in place. If they are not at their best, then the support system for your teeth is compromised. Gum problems result due to different reasons, the most common one being periodontal disease. The main issues with the gum tissue are usually thinning, recession and infection. They make the gum tissue inadequate for their work. For such, gum reconstruction is necessary. Gum grafting is one of the ways where the gum tissue can be fixed through grafts from other parts of your mouth. This surgical procedure is part of dental restoration for excellent oral health.