Restorative dentistry is the process of recovering a tooth’s shape and appearance back to its natural state. If your smile contains a cavity, severe tooth decay, or a damaged tooth, or if you have experienced a traumatic accident that has affected your teeth, our restorative services are the solution for you.
Restorative dentistry services take many forms, and our experienced dentists in Southern Oklahoma have expert-level experience and passion for all of them! Restorative dental care is one of the dental services we provide to the public in our Ardmore or Madill, OK, dental offices.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is focused on restoring health, aesthetics, and function to teeth that are broken, worn down or missing. It may include the treatment of gum disease, a TMJ disorder, tooth decay, or replacing missing teeth. Treating these types of concerns effectively will restore more than your smile, it can give you back your quality of life and ability to feel confident in professional and social settings. Our goal is to provide personalized treatment that meets your needs, your goals, and your budget.
Restorative Dentistry in Southern Oklahoma
Rehabilitative or restorative dental services can renew the full function of the smile by replacing missing teeth or protecting worn and weakened teeth. Your Storts Family Dentistry dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth, gums, and entire mouth to fully assess your oral health. Then, they will discuss your treatment options. Your dentist will build a treatment plan that will meet your oral health needs and also your personal goals. We offer a full range of restorative dentistry treatments necessary to treat your dental problems and bring back your natural smile:
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a cap we place over a damaged or decayed tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and improve its appearance. It will protect the tooth from further damage and give it strength. We will custom-create it from dental impressions so it fits perfectly over the prepared tooth.
Storts Family Dentistry is proud to offer CEREC dental crowns. These are advanced dental restorations that offer dental crowns in one day. Utilizing CAD/CAM technology, your dentist will prepare your tooth, scan the tooth, design the dental crown, mill it from a ceramic block, and then cement it to your tooth in a single visit. This eliminates the need for temporary crowns and additional appointments. To learn more about the dental crown process, see Dental Crown.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are known as the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. A dental implant is a cylindrical titanium post that we surgically place in the jawbone. Over three to six months, it will integrate with the bone, serving as an artificial tooth root. This method provides a sturdy foundation for attaching dental crowns, dental bridges, and dentures.
Unlike using traditional dentures and dental bridges to replace missing teeth, dental implants offer a long-term solution. They do a better job of restoring oral function and will also prevent bone loss in the jaw. An implant restoration offers better stability and comfort. To learn more about the dental implant process, see Dental Implants.
Dentures and Partials
Dentures are removable prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth and some of the surrounding gum tissue. A denture is made up of false teeth set in a gum-colored acrylic base. Their purpose is to restore the appearance and functionality of a natural smile.
There are two basic types of dentures: partial dentures, which replace some missing teeth, and complete dentures, which replace all teeth in an arch. Typically made from acrylic or a combination of materials, dentures are custom-fitted to a patient’s mouth. To learn more about the various benefits that dentures offer, see Dentures and Partials.
TMJ Treatment
TMJ treatment addresses disorders affecting the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. A TMJ disorder will lead to jaw pain, clicking in the jaw, limited jaw movement, headaches, and pain around the ears.
Treatment options vary based on the cause of your disorder. If your TMJ disorder is related to teeth grinding, jaw clenching, crooked teeth, or malocclusion, then Storts Family Dentistry can help you find relief with TMJ treatment. We offer several treatments, including oral appliance therapy and bite alignment therapy. To learn more about the various types of treatments we offer to help you find relief from your jaw pain, see TMJ Treatment.
All on Four
All on Four is an advanced dental implant technique for full-arch tooth replacement. It involves placing four dental implants in the jaw at strategic angles in areas of denser bone. Then these four implants will support a complete set of fixed, prosthetic teeth.
This type of innovative dental implant treatment eliminates the need for an implant for each missing tooth. It provides a stable and efficient solution for those with extensive tooth loss seeking full-mouth rehabilitation. To see if you make a good candidate for All-on-4®, see All on Four.
Dental Bridge
A dental bridge is a fixed dental restoration that will replace one or more missing teeth. It is made up of false teeth, called pontics, and dental crowns. The crown portion of the bridge is anchored to adjacent natural teeth. These supporting teeth, called abutments, provide stability and hold the bridge in place.
Dental bridges will restore your smile while also enhancing your smile. They can restore the appearance, function, and alignment of your teeth. A dental bridge is a great solution to replace your missing tooth or teeth to help improve chewing ability, speech, and prevent the shifting of remaining teeth. We will custom create a bridge to blend in seamlessly with the rest of your smile. To learn more about the dental bridge process, see Dental Bridge.
Periodontal Disease Treatment
Periodontal disease treatment aims to address gum infections and prevent the progression of gum disease. We offer several treatments to treat the various stages of gum disease. When patients present with the disease, we determine how it has progressed and what type of treatment they will need.
Treatment for periodontal disease typically involves professional dental cleanings, scaling to remove plaque and tartar, and root planing to smooth tooth roots. Advanced cases may require surgical interventions like gum flap surgery or pocket reduction. In these cases, the dentist will refer the patient to a periodontist. To learn more about symptoms of gum disease, see Periodontal Disease Treatment.
Why You May Need Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is essential for people with damaged, decayed, or missing teeth. It aims to restore the function, health, and appearance of your smile.
To Repair Damaged Teeth
Teeth can become damaged for various reasons, such as accidents, injuries, or everyday wear and tear. A tooth might chip, crack, or break, and these types of injuries often require restorative treatments. Without treatment, the damage could worsen and cause further issues, such as infection or tooth loss. Restorative options like fillings, crowns, and bonding can repair damaged teeth, restore their strength, and prevent future problems. These treatments help you maintain a natural-looking and functional smile.
To Treat Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is one of the most common reasons people need restorative dentistry. Plaque and bacteria build up on teeth, leading to cavities. If cavities are not treated, they can cause tooth pain, infection, and further damage. Restorative procedures like dental fillings, crowns, or root canals treat cavities and restore the tooth’s function. These treatments can prevent decay from spreading, helping to save the tooth and avoid more serious issues like tooth loss.
To Replace Missing Teeth
Many factors, including tooth decay, injury, or gum disease, can cause missing teeth. When a tooth is lost, it can affect the way you speak, chew, and smile. Missing teeth can also cause neighboring teeth to shift, leading to misalignment. Restorative dentistry offers several options for replacing missing teeth, including dental implants, bridges, and dentures. These solutions help restore your smile and prevent further damage or shifting of surrounding teeth.
To Improve the Function of Your Teeth
Sometimes, teeth can become worn down from grinding, clenching, or chewing hard foods. This wear and tear can affect how well your teeth function, making it difficult to chew or speak comfortably. Restorative treatments like crowns or veneers can restore the function of your teeth, making it easier to eat and speak without pain or discomfort. These treatments not only fix the functional issues but also enhance the overall appearance of your smile.
To Address Severe Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity occurs when the protective enamel on your teeth wears down, exposing the inner layers. This can lead to discomfort when eating or drinking hot, cold, or sweet foods. If tooth sensitivity worsens, it may indicate a deeper issue, such as tooth decay or gum disease. Restorative dentistry can address the root cause of sensitivity through fillings, crowns, or root canal therapy. Treating sensitivity can restore your comfort and prevent further damage to your teeth.
To Prevent Further Oral Health Problems
When dental issues are left untreated, they can lead to bigger, more expensive problems in the future. For example, a small cavity can eventually become a large, painful infection requiring a root canal or tooth extraction. Restorative dentistry helps prevent these problems by addressing issues early, saving teeth, and protecting oral health. By caring for your teeth with restorative treatments, you can avoid costly and complicated procedures.
To Preserve Your Oral Health as You Age
As you age, your teeth naturally change. They may become more prone to cavities, wear, or tooth loss. Restorative dentistry can help preserve your oral health and maintain the function and appearance of your teeth as you age. Regular visits to our office can catch problems early and allow for the timely use of restorative treatments, ensuring your smile remains healthy and beautiful for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Restorative dentistry ensures that your smile is fully functional. Learn more by reading the answers to these common patient questions.
Can you get tooth implants after having dentures?
Yes, you can get tooth implants after having dentures. Implants provide a stable and permanent solution compared to traditional dentures. However, if you’ve worn dentures for a long time, you may need a bone graft to strengthen the jawbone before getting implants. Your dentist will evaluate your bone health and discuss the best treatment options. Implants can improve comfort and function compared to dentures.
How do implants and dentures affect eating and speaking?
Implants provide stability similar to natural teeth, making it easier to eat and speak without worry. Dentures can shift or cause difficulty with certain foods and speech if they don’t fit securely.
Can a dental crown fall off or become loose?
Yes, a dental crown can fall off or become loose. This might happen if the cement weakens or decay occurs under the crown. If it falls off, visit your dentist right away. They can reattach or replace it to protect the tooth. Regular check-ups help catch these issues early.
Is TMJ a medical or dental problem?
TMJ is a medical and dental problem. It affects the jaw joints and muscles, causing pain, discomfort, and issues with chewing or speaking. Dentists often diagnose and treat TMJ because it involves the jaw and bite alignment. However, it can also have medical aspects like muscle or nerve issues. This makes it a condition that crosses both fields. A dentist or doctor can help you determine the best treatment.
What is the best position to sleep with TMJ?
The best position to sleep with TMJ is on your back. Sleeping on your back keeps your head, neck, and jaw neutral. Resting on your back also lessens the pressure on the jaw joint.
Use a supportive pillow to align your neck and avoid sleeping on your side or stomach. These positions can strain the jaw and worsen TMJ symptoms. Staying relaxed helps minimize discomfort and prevent jaw clenching during sleep.
Can I stop advanced gum disease (periodontitis) from progressing?
You can stop advanced gum disease from progressing with proper treatment and care. We will do professional deep cleanings, known as scaling and root planing. This will remove plaque and tartar below the gumline.
Maintaining good oral hygiene with regular brushing, flossing, and dental exams is also important. In severe cases, we may recommend surgical options. Consistent care and professional treatment can prevent further damage and help manage the condition.
Restore Your Oral Health With Restorative Dentistry in Southern Oklahoma
Do you need to restore your smile? Contact our Ardmore or Madill, OK, dentist offices for restorative dental care today. You may also request a dental appointment with our team online. Let us know if you have any questions or current dental concerns you would like to discuss with our team, and we will be happy to help you.