A dentist’s top priority is to help patients achieve and maintain healthy smiles. Of course, preventive measures like regular dental cleanings and exams are the ideal method, but when a patient comes to a dentist with missing or damaged teeth, restorative dentistry is both necessary and effective!
Restorative dentistry repairs a tooth damaged by trauma and tooth decay. If you need dental care because of these issues, visit your dentist as soon as possible to receive the appropriate treatment and avoid more oral health problems in the future.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about restorative dentistry:
1. What problems are treated through restorative dentistry?
If you experience any of the following, you need a dental restoration:
- Chipped tooth
- Cracked tooth
- Missing tooth or teeth (also prosthetic dentistry)
- Cavity
2. What are the solutions to these dental problems?
Your dentist may suggest the following treatments:
- Dental crown for chipped or cracked teeth
- Dental implant for missing teeth
- Dental bridge for missing teeth
- Dentures for entire row of missing teeth
- Fillings for cavities
- Inlay or Onlay for cavities, chipped teeth, cracked teeth
3. Will these restorations look natural?
Yes! Most dentists use materials that match your tooth color and work with dental labs to create natural-looking restorations and prosthetics. Ceramic and porcelain fused to metal (PFM) works well for teeth that show when you smile. Back teeth, also called molars, require a more durable material such as tooth-colored zirconium or precious metal.
Our Austin Laser dentist has expert attention to detail and a team of skilled lab technicians to ensure the restorations fit correctly and comfortably.
4. How long do these solutions last?
The lifespan of a restoration is dependent on the material that is used and how well it is cared for. Assuming a patient has good oral hygiene and no other major oral health issues, this list shows how long each restoration is expected to last:
- Dental crown: 5-15 years
- Dental implant: more than 25 years
- Dental bridge: 5-15 years
- Denture: 5-8 years
- Filling: between 10-30 years
- Inlay and Onlay: 20-30 years
5. What are the consequences of not seeking treatment?
When left untreated, these dental issues can lead to much more serious oral and overall health problems. When a tooth is chipped or cracked, it has a higher risk of tooth decay that can easily infect the tooth root. As a result, root canal therapy or tooth extraction may be needed. The same is true for untreated cavities.
The consequences of not replacing a missing tooth are atrophy, bite imbalance, and dental misalignment.
Basically, putting off treatment only leads to needing more treatment which comes with greater expense.
6. Who offers restorative dentistry?
Most general dentists offer restorative treatments along with preventive care and cosmetic dentistry. Look for a “services” or “restorative” tab on a dentist’s website to find out which restorative solutions he or she offers.
7. Are restorative procedures covered by insurance?
Most dental insurance policies cover part of the cost of restorative dentistry, but not cosmetic dentistry. At your first dental appointment, your out-of-pocket expenses will be estimated considering what your dental benefits will pay.
If insurance does not cover the procedure, there are other payment options available. Many dentists offer in-house financing, take CareCredit®, and accept most major credit cards. Talk to your dental team today to learn about your financing options.
Schedule an Initial Consultation
To learn which restorative solution is best for your oral health situation, contact a general dentist near you to schedule an initial consultation.
To meet with Dr. Ragsdale, call (512) 346-4690.
