Everyone dreams of having an impressive and healthy smile. Restorative dentistry makes it possible to provide natural-looking teeth for people with high aesthetic sensibility. So, what is restorative dentistry, which can be applied to all age groups when deemed necessary?
To properly answer the question, “What does restorative dental treatment mean?”, we first need to answer the question, “What does a restorative tooth mean?” Restorative teeth are created by correcting the structure of teeth for individuals who wish to achieve an aesthetic smile, have defects in their teeth, or complain about color inconsistencies. At the same time, restorative dentistry can be defined as the repair of hard tissue loss in teeth that occurs for any reason, especially due to decay.
Restorative dentistry provides many advantages to patients and plays a major role in the seamless continuation of daily life and social relationships. Combining health and aesthetics, restorative dentistry offers the following benefits to patients:
In summary, it can be easily said that the quality of life of patients who undergo restorative dental treatment increases, and they gain the chance to have an aesthetically pleasing smile.
Restorative dentistry is a type of treatment that incorporates many different treatment methods and consists of a combination of complex therapies. The treatment methods frequently used in repairing, whitening, and correcting structural defects of teeth are detailed below.
Fillings are highly effective materials for repairing decay, cracks, and fractures in teeth. They are used to fill the cavities that form after the decay is cleaned out. Aesthetic types of fillings can be listed as white fillings and porcelain fillings.
White fillings get their aesthetic quality from their color, which matches the teeth. The application of white fillings, also known as composite fillings, is performed by placing the paste-like filling material into the cleaned cavities in the teeth and curing it with a blue LED light.
Porcelain fillings, on the other hand, are long-lasting fillings prepared according to the dimensions of teeth that have lost substance, used to complete a missing part of a tooth. Amalgam fillings, which contain various metals like mercury and have a grayish color, are among the fillings not frequently preferred in restorative dentistry.
Inlay and onlay restorations are generally used to treat large-scale substance loss in teeth that occurs after root canal treatment and cannot be treated with ordinary fillings. The procedure is performed by applying a composite or porcelain material, designed according to the patient’s tooth structure and using ceramic and fiber-reinforced filling materials.
The main difference between inlay and onlay restorations is that inlay fillings are used to fill the cusps on the chewing surface of the teeth, while onlay fillings are used to cover one or more cusps entirely. Since they make it possible to achieve a complete look when the mouth is open or the patient smiles, inlay and onlay restorations may be needed during the restorative dentistry process.
Another method used to correct defects and fractures in teeth and create an aesthetic appearance is laminate veneers. Laminate veneers are a method where porcelain shells are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth. Since it provides a bright and radiant appearance, it is among the first choices for people with teeth that are too dark to get the desired result from whitening procedures and for those who have decay on their front teeth. Offering long-lasting whiteness and a permanent aesthetic smile, laminate veneers are one of the cornerstones of restorative dentistry.
Teeth whitening methods are techniques commonly used in the restorative dentistry process to provide an aesthetic and healthy appearance to the teeth. There are 3 types: in-office whitening, at-home whitening, and combined whitening.
For those who want to lighten their tooth color by up to 3 shades in a short period, the most ideal method is in-office whitening. In the in-office whitening method, also known as power bleaching, a whitening gel is applied inside custom-made mouthguards (created from the patient’s oral impression), and UV light is used to activate the gel.
In the at-home teeth whitening method, the whitening process continues to be supported at home for a few days after the clinical application.
In cases where the in-office procedure needs to be supported by an at-home procedure, the combined teeth whitening method comes into play.
Apart from these methods, whitening sessions can also be arranged for a single tooth that has changed color after a root canal treatment.
Anyone who wants to improve their smile and is not satisfied with the appearance of their teeth can benefit from restorative dentistry applications.
The main treatment areas where restorative dentistry is applied can be listed as follows:
If you want to achieve the smile of your dreams but are struggling with various oral and dental health problems, you can contact us and get the chance to give your teeth an aesthetic appearance by working with our expert team in the field of restorative dentistry.
1- What Does Restorative Dentistry Cover?
Within the scope of restorative dentistry, teeth that have been damaged for any reason are treated. Various repairs are made to ensure a healthy oral structure, giving the patient’s smile an aesthetic appearance.
2- Does Restorative Dentistry Include Fillings?
During the restorative dentistry process, filling applications can be used if needed. Care is taken to ensure that the fillings used are white in color and do not spoil the aesthetic appearance.
3- What Happens After Restorative Dental Treatment?
After restorative dental treatment, the patient can return to their daily life. Depending on the depth of the fillings made, tooth sensitivity may occur for a few days. Your doctor will inform you if there is any specific situation that requires special attention.
