What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing teeth and replacing missing teeth. The goal is simple: restore health, function, and comfort. These treatments can also improve the look of your smile, but the main aim is to make your mouth strong and pain-free.
You may need restorative care if you have tooth decay, a chipped or cracked tooth, worn enamel, a deep infection, or a missing tooth. Restoring teeth right away helps prevent bigger problems. For example, treating a small cavity with a filling can stop decay from growing. Replacing a missing tooth can keep nearby teeth from shifting and protect your bite and jaw health.
Modern restorative care is designed to be comfortable and long-lasting. We use safe, durable materials like tooth-colored composite, porcelain, and zirconia. These materials blend with your smile and stand up to daily use. We also use gentle numbing and, when appropriate, options like nitrous oxide to help you relax. With careful planning, we aim to save natural tooth structure whenever possible. When a tooth cannot be saved, we use strong, natural-looking replacements to restore your smile.
Our Restorative Services
Restorative Dentistry Treatments
- Tooth-colored fillings: Composite resin fillings repair small to medium cavities and blend in with your natural tooth. They seal out bacteria and restore strength.
- Crowns: A crown is a custom “cap” that covers a damaged or weak tooth. It restores shape, protects the tooth, and improves your bite. Crowns are often made from porcelain or zirconia for a natural look.
- Dental bridges: A bridge replaces one or more missing teeth by anchoring to the teeth next to the gap. It restores your bite and prevents teeth from shifting.
- Dental implants: An implant is a small post placed in the jaw to replace a tooth root. A crown attaches to the implant to replace the missing tooth above the gum. Implants look and function like natural teeth and help keep jaw bone strong.
- Partial and full dentures: Dentures replace several or all missing teeth. Today’s dentures are lighter, more stable, and more natural-looking. Implant-supported dentures can add even more stability.
- Extractions and socket preservation: If a tooth must be removed, gentle extraction protects nearby tissue. In some cases, grafting material is placed to preserve bone for a future implant.
- Bite adjustments and night guards: Small bite adjustments can improve comfort and protect teeth. A custom night guard can prevent wear and cracks caused by clenching or grinding.
What to Expect
Your first visit starts with a friendly conversation about your goals and concerns. We complete a careful exam of your teeth, gums, and bite. We may take digital X-rays and photos. If needed, we can scan your teeth for precise models without messy impression trays. With this information, we explain what we see in clear, simple terms.
You will get a custom treatment plan that fits your needs, timeline, and budget. We talk through each step, including how many visits you might need and what each visit includes. We review comfort options, like local anesthesia and nitrous oxide, so you feel at ease. Many treatments are quick and can be done in one visit. Larger cases may take a few visits to ensure the best fit and result. When possible, we use minimally invasive methods to save healthy tooth structure.
On treatment day, we keep you comfortable from start to finish. Your tooth and gums are numbed before we begin. We work with care and check in often. For services like fillings or crowns, we shape and restore the tooth so your bite feels natural. If you need a crown or bridge, you may receive a temporary while a lab makes your final restoration. We match the color and shape to your smile for a natural look.
Afterword, we give you simple home care steps to follow. This may include avoiding very hard or sticky foods for a short time, taking any prescribed medication as directed, and brushing and flossing gently around the treated area. We will schedule a follow-up visit if needed to check your bite and make any small adjustments. We also explain how to care for your new restoration so it lasts, including daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups.
Benefits of Restorative Dentistry
- Relieves pain and sensitivity so you can chew and smile with comfort
- Stops decay or damage from spreading and protects nearby teeth
- Restores natural chewing power and speech for better daily life
- Improves your bite and helps prevent jaw strain or headaches
- Replaces missing teeth to keep other teeth from shifting
- Supports jaw bone health, especially with dental implants
- Uses natural-looking materials for a confident, seamless smile
- Can reduce the need for bigger treatments later, saving time and money
- Provides durable results with proper care and regular checkups
What to Expect
Your first visit starts with a friendly conversation about your goals and concerns. We complete a careful exam of your teeth, gums, and bite. We may take digital X-rays and photos. If needed, we can scan your teeth for precise models without messy impression trays. With this information, we explain what we see in clear, simple terms.
You will get a custom treatment plan that fits your needs, timeline, and budget. We talk through each step, including how many visits you might need and what each visit includes. We review comfort options, like local anesthesia and nitrous oxide, so you feel at ease. Many treatments are quick and can be done in one visit. Larger cases may take a few visits to ensure the best fit and result. When possible, we use minimally invasive methods to save healthy tooth structure.
On treatment day, we keep you comfortable from start to finish. Your tooth and gums are numbed before we begin. We work with care and check in often. For services like fillings or crowns, we shape and restore the tooth so your bite feels natural. If you need a crown or bridge, you may receive a temporary while a lab makes your final restoration. We match the color and shape to your smile for a natural look.
Afterword, we give you simple home care steps to follow. This may include avoiding very hard or sticky foods for a short time, taking any prescribed medication as directed, and brushing and flossing gently around the treated area. We will schedule a follow-up visit if needed to check your bite and make any small adjustments. We also explain how to care for your new restoration so it lasts, including daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups.
Benefits of Restorative Dentistry
- Relieves pain and sensitivity so you can chew and smile with comfort
- Stops decay or damage from spreading and protects nearby teeth
- Restores natural chewing power and speech for better daily life
- Improves your bite and helps prevent jaw strain or headaches
- Replaces missing teeth to keep other teeth from shifting
- Supports jaw bone health, especially with dental implants
- Uses natural-looking materials for a confident, seamless smile
- Can reduce the need for bigger treatments later, saving time and money
- Provides durable results with proper care and regular checkups
Caring for Your Restored Smile
Daily care keeps your restorations and natural teeth strong. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss once a day or use a water flosser if you prefer. Limit very sticky or hard foods that can stress teeth and restorations. If you grind your teeth at night, wear your custom night guard. Visit the dentist for cleanings and exams as recommended. At each visit, we will check your restorations, your bite, and your gums to catch small issues early.
Next Steps
If you have a sore tooth, a broken filling, or a missing tooth, restorative dentistry can help you feel and function better. Reach out today to schedule a visit. Together, we will build a plan that restores your smile, protects your health, and helps you enjoy the foods and moments you love.