Integrating the management of oral health conditions and restoring the mouth to a better, more functional state, restorative dentistry is not necessarily a dental specialty. Yet, many general dentists perform restorative dental procedures as part of their commitment to preserving a patient’s natural teeth. In these cases, specialized treatment using restorative techniques address teeth that are worn, decayed, damaged or missing. Oral-B notes that the nature of an individual’s problem determines what type of dental restoration is used, direct or indirect.
To better understand, a direct dental restoration involves the repair or correction of a prepared tooth immediately. For example, if a dentist decides to place a filling, the procedure is done in one day, and the type of filling material is decided on the day of the procedure. For tooth fillings that are near the tooth’s root, and not subjected to heavy chewing, glass or resin materials are typically used.
On the other hand, indirect tooth restoration involves tooth replacements that are customized. These might include dental crowns, onlays or inlays. While a crown covers the entire surface of a tooth, an inlay covers or fills in the inner cusps of the tooth, and an onlay covers the tip of the cusp and a portion of a tooth’s biting surface. Without question, an indirect tooth restoration requires more than one dental visit, given that tooth replacement materials are fabricated at a lab.
Whether tooth restorations are direct or indirect, treatment remains focused on improving a tooth’s durability and advancing a patient’s oral and overall health. Thus, other restorative dental treatments might be used such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, dental partials or bridges and dental implants.
A Suitable Framework For Any Smile
Given the versatility of Restorative Dentistry and the many options awarded to dentists and patients, there is a suitable framework for any smile. Whether treatment is conservative or more precise, a skilled dentist is able to provide patients with insight into maintaining the integrity of their smile with treatment that compliments their health and their budget.
As a top rated dentist serving Marietta and East Cobb, Dr. Leia Porcaro offers an expansive menu of restorative dental treatments at her practice, Grateful Dental. Most importantly, Dr. Porcaro treats the person behind the smile with comfortable dental care that they can trust. To schedule your appointment, call Grateful Dental today.
