Restorative Dentistry Jacksonville, FL
When your teeth, jaws, and gums can be affected by anything from developmental delays to physical trauma, seeing the dentist is more than just a routine responsibility. The right provider can be the key to restoring your mouth so you can avoid bigger issues down the line.
The branch of restorative dentistry focuses on reviving a patient’s oral health, starting with the foundational work and then building up from there. If you need restorative dentistry services in Jacksonville, FL, it’s important to understand how the benefits can correct the teeth and gums now while preventing everything from tooth decay to bone loss.
What Is a Restorative Dentist?
A restorative dentist will perform many of the same services as a general dentist. The term refers to the discipline in the industry that repairs or replaces damaged teeth as a way to improve the patient’s oral health and the aesthetics of their smile.
It’s common for patients to see a dentist purely for cosmetic reasons, to fix a missing gap in their grin, and end up with a permanent solution that staves off future tooth decay. At the offices of Dr. Matt. Henry, the goal is always to give patients the best of both worlds.
What Are Some Common Restorative Dentistry Services?
Restorative dentistry starts with a basic question of how to make the mouth stronger and more resilient. We’ll look at the most common services and what you can expect from them.
Fillings
Your teeth are constantly subjected to pressure from the external world. The sugars and acids in food can eventually begin to eat away at a healthy tooth, causing anything from small holes in the structure to enamel loss. If the tooth isn’t filled by a dentist in Jacksonville, it can become a much more invasive problem.
Without intervention, you may find the tooth is hard to chew on. If the tooth is allowed to progress, you can lose a tooth that a simple procedure could have easily preserved. Visiting the dentist can restore the tooth and make your entire mouth more resilient to common threats.
The first step is an exam where the dentist will assess the degree of tooth decay. They’ll check for any signs of enamel loss before applying local anesthesia to the mouth. This will numb a small area of your teeth and gums instead of the whole mouth. Once the local anesthesia has set in, the dentist will drill out any damaged tooth portions.
Once complete, the dentist will test the tooth to ensure that only healthy portions remain and then clean the space. Patients typically request composite fillings because this material resembles a natural tooth. After the filling is done, the dentist will polish the area and adjust the bite if it’s uneven.
Crowns
A dental crown is an artificial device that can replace a missing tooth or reconstruct a damaged one. Crowns are often associated with root canals because the procedure weakens the natural tooth enough that it could use a little reinforcement. However, crowns can be used for far more than just root canals.
A crown can be either partial, sometimes called an inlay, or full. If it’s partial, it’s used to cover a missing tooth portion. For instance, let’s say that a molar was damaged after a particularly ill-fated bite. Instead of pulling the tooth or performing a root canal, a dentist would carefully construct a crown based on the tooth’s original shape.
Should you need a full crown, it will cover the entire space above the gumline. A restorative dentist will recommend a full crown for severe damage. For instance, if you had a tooth knocked out after a fall, a full crown may be the best way to replace what you lost. If there’s not enough of a structure below to support the partial crown, only a full crown will suffice.
The dental crown procedure typically starts with prepping the surface layer, which, in the case of a partial crown, will usually mean losing a small fraction of the tooth to make room for the crown. After the crown is made and the dentist verifies that it matches the color and fit of your natural teeth, they’ll fuse the crown to the tooth and then adjust the bite afterward.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a way to replace a fully missing tooth with the support of a metal post and a full tooth cap. This procedure is not available to everyone, as you’ll need a healthy jaw to ensure that the metal post can fuse with the bone. A Jacksonville restorative dentist will assess your eligibility before customizing your treatment plan.
For most patients, the procedure will start with the initial implant, where the dentist will place the post into the jaw. Once the post is in, the bone will take a few weeks to accept and fuse with it. After the two are fused together, the dentist will place a permanent tooth as the final touch. During the healing time, you’ll wear a temporary crown or cap.
Implants are as close as you can get to your real teeth, which makes them the number one recommendation if you have a missing tooth. The right dentist can improve your odds of success so you can reap all the benefits from this procedure. After the process is complete, you may not even remember that you lost one of your teeth.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge consists of two crowns and an artificial tooth in the middle. Recommended for people who may not be eligible for implants, the dental bridge is made possible by two healthy teeth surrounding the gap. The process for fitting a bridge is similar to a regular crown process. The dentist will construct two crowns on the sides using the artificial tooth as the ‘bridge.’
Unlike a partial denture, dental bridges do not need to be removed. While they may not be quite as strong as implants, they are typically sturdy to handle everyday wear and tear. There are a few variations on this common procedure, depending on the configuration and strength of your teeth. The right dentist can tell you how the structure of your mouth impacts the neighboring teeth, gums, and jawbone.
Dentures
Full or partial dentures are an excellent choice for people with missing teeth who want to maintain their lifestyle. Your teeth aren’t just the key to speaking and chewing; they also play a large role in the shape of your face. With dentures, suction or adhesives are used to attach artificial teeth to the gums.
If you want to learn more about new denture technology, working with a dentist who has done their homework is important. With numerous options on the market, it helps to talk to a professional who can explain how different products will affect your life and overall oral health.
Restorative Dentists in Jacksonville, FL
It can be relatively easy to put off routine services, like fillings or crowns. However, the longer you put off the procedures, the more likely you will need more services. Restorative dentistry in Jacksonville, FL, is a critical branch of the profession because it helps you prevent the worst-case scenarios. At Dr. Matt Henry’s practice, you’ll work with a staff who knows how different procedures affect your quality of life. We’re here to give you the advice and treatment plans you need to restore your oral health.
