Few things can provide a stronger sense of satisfaction than completing the restoration of something old, forgotten, or damaged by time. From rowboats to photographs, farmhouses to pickup trucks, an incredible joy awaits those willing to put in the hard work necessary to breathe new life into old things. When it comes to smiles, a restorative dentist is someone who can help you cope with damage, dental health issues, and even tooth loss, by helping to repair your teeth or provide replacement teeth, as needed. If you’ve suffered from a cavity, gum disease, need an extraction, or are facing other oral health issues, it’s time to see how restorative dentistry could help repair your smile.
Take Care of Your Teeth, and Seek Treatment at the First Sign of Trouble
Restorative dentistry describes a number of treatments that can be used to help restore a patient’s oral health after an issue has already arisen. While preventive care is stressed because of its ability to ward off potential problems, restorative dentistry is necessary, and should be sought quickly, at the first sign of dental trouble, in order to prevent more drastic measures from becoming necessary.
For instance, a dental filling is one of the simplest forms of restorative dentistry. It involves cleaning a damaged tooth, usually one that’s decayed due to a cavity, then filling the area with either a special metal or composite resin, in order to seal the tooth, preventing further decay or infection. When a cavity is left untreated, however, it often leads to an infection. At this point it becomes necessary to perform a root canal in order to save the tooth. And if this care is not sought, an extraction may become necessary, which then creates a need for a replacement tooth such as a partial denture or a dental implant.
Know the Warning Signs
If you have a dental issue, you’ll likely notice some differences either in the appearance of your smile and/or your teeth’s sensitivity. Pain and/or bleeding may also occur, depending on what you’re facing.
Anytime you experience an adverse reaction to brushing or flossing, or if it becomes difficult to chew without discomfort, you should contact your dentist. Whether it’s a simple cavity or something worse, prompt restorative treatment should be able to help eliminate the discomfort and restore your oral health, helping you to maintain the health and beauty of your one-and-only smile for many years to come.