Restorative Dentistry in Manhattan's Upper East Side
You must diligently practice oral hygiene to maintain healthy teeth and gums. However, there are circumstances in which teeth are damaged or lost to decay, disease, or injury. For these circumstances, it's vital for patients to visit the dentist and inquire about their options for restorative dentistry.
Restorative dentistry encompasses a variety of techniques and procedures used to repair or replace a patient's teeth. Adult teeth don't naturally grow back once they are lost. So, in many cases of decayed or damaged teeth, it's better to do everything possible to save a tooth rather than remove it. This is the reason restorative dental procedures exist.
What Conditions Can Restorative Dentistry Treat?
Your teeth are subjected to many challenges throughout the day. For example, they undergo massive pressure, trap food particles, play host to colonies of bacteria, and wear down due to acid. With so many adverse effects that can negatively impact the structure of your teeth, there is also a bevy of conditions that can affect the appearance of your smile and the overall health and stability of your teeth. These include:
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Periodontal disease
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Tooth decay
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Cavities
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Cracked, broken, or damaged teeth
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Missing teeth
Restorative Dentistry Procedures
There are many procedures included in restorative dental care, all of which are intended to preserve the teeth that can be saved and replace the teeth that cannot.
Fillings
Over time, bacteria that gather on tooth surfaces can eat away at the enamel. It's difficult to notice this process until it bores through the enamel completely, leaving a hole in your tooth called a cavity. Cavities present a health complication because they expose the sensitive inner workings of your tooth (the pulp), where the nerves and tooth roots are gathered. Once bacteria gets into the nerves and roots, it causes pain and decay, adversely affecting the tooth from the inside.
Dental fillings are the most commonly performed restorative procedure. The dentist removes as much of the damaged inner tooth as possible to curtail the spread of the bacteria before filling the cavity with a special tooth-colored composite material. This procedure is done to protect the pulp of your tooth while preventing more bacteria from getting under your enamel.
Sometimes, a cavity goes deep enough into the teeth to expose the pulp to bacteria, leading to an infection. Once the pulp becomes infected, the dentist must perform a root canal. This procedure involves completely removing the pulp and the root to prevent the infection from spreading into your gums and reaching the surrounding teeth.
Once the pulp is removed, the dentist rinses the bacteria out of the tooth, then fills it with the same composite material used for fillings. With the tooth sterilized and filled, there is no longer a risk of infection.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
If a tooth becomes too damaged by a deep or extensive cavity, filling it will not be enough to repair it. Instead, the dentist may need to place a dental crown on it. The top of the tooth is shaved down, and a tooth-shaped cap is bonded to the tooth. The crown functions in the same way as your natural tooth while protecting it from further damage.
A dental bridge is a number of artificial teeth suspended by a crown on either side. It is used to replace missing or damaged teeth. Bridges are typically made of porcelain due to the material's close resemblance to the enamel of your natural teeth. With most dental bridges, the artificial teeth are held in place by the crowns on either side of the bridge, but they are not anchored to the gums.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is designed to completely replace a tooth and root that needed to be removed due to decay or disease. It consists of a titanium post that is surgically implanted into the gum tissue where a tooth was removed. Then, a tooth-shaped crown is attached to the post, where it functions like a natural tooth. Sometimes, dental bridges can include implants for extra stability instead of relying on crowns to suspend them.
Benefits Of Dental Restorations
Dental restorations can allow you to regain your quality of life, eating and drinking as you normally would. Damage to your teeth can have adverse effects on your ability to eat, drink, speak, and even sleep. Extensive orthodontic damage can easily limit the type of food or beverages you can enjoy, and it can cause an improper chewing pattern, which increases the risk of choking or nutritional deficiencies.
Restorative dentistry revitalizes the appearance and function of your teeth. The shape, color, size, and position of your teeth can determine how healthy your smile appears to others. Having a bright, straight smile easily brings increased confidence and improves your mental health.
Finally, many oral health problems can cause pain that ranges from mild to severe. They can also lead to misalignments in the jaw and health issues in other areas due to the spread of infection or disease. Restorative dentistry can prevent or fix many small problems before they progress to become more significant maladies that require more aggressive forms of treatment.
How To Care For Teeth After Restorations
Undergoing a dental restoration does not change the necessity for proper oral hygiene. You must still brush and floss your teeth regularly, and visit the dentist for checkups. The frequency of visits to the dentist's office will increase so they can ensure that your restoration continues to be effective at preventing any more adverse health conditions.
While many dental restorations can strengthen your teeth, they aren't indestructible. You may have to take extra precautions when eating hard foods such as nuts, pretzels, and certain fruits. It would also help if you cut down on sugary and acidic food and drink, as these can cause or exacerbate damage to your teeth.
Cost Of Restorative Dentistry
The cost of restorative dental work depends on the severity of the issue being treated, the procedure the patient is undergoing, how many teeth are being treated, and insurance coverage. Because dental restorations are intended to restore the natural function of your teeth, many insurance plans will partially cover restorative dental procedures, if not fully cover them. Be sure to check with your insurance provider before having any restorative dental work done.
Protect Your Teeth with Restorative Dentistry
Losing a tooth or several teeth does not have to permanently alter your quality of life or appearance. With dental restorations, you can regain your smile while maintaining your oral health and avoiding complications that require more extensive dental work. At New York Dental Studio, we specialize in evaluating patients' needs to ensure they receive the highest quality care during their restorative dental services in Manhattan.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a dental appointment, please call our office.