The longer you leave a dental issue untreated, the more severe the impact on your oral health and more costly it becomes.
To begin, your dentist will examine your teeth and assess the extent of your dental issue. X-rays may need to be taken at this time to ensure proper diagnosis.
Once your issue has been diagnosed, your dentist will provide you with a recommended restorative dentistry treatment plan for your approval.
Many dental care issues have multiple treatment options. Missing teeth, for example, can be treated with dentures, dental bridges, or dental implants. Your dentist can discuss all options with you and help you choose what's best for your lifestyle, budget and needs.
We offer sedation for patients undergoing restorative dentistry procedures to keep them more comfortable and relaxed during treatment. Your dentist in Albuquerque will discuss the available sedation options and offer recommendations on what's best for you.
In some cases, like emergencies, you'll need to receive care right away, likely the same day. But if your issue is not urgent, your follow-up appointments will be after your initial visit. Before you leave, we'll schedule your treatment for a day and time that works for you.
Dental fillings are the best way to treat and fill cavities in decayed teeth. Your dentist in Albuquerque, NM will use a drill to remove damage and decay in the enamel of your tooth. Then, they will use a material such as a tooth-colored dental resin or metal amalgam to restore the shape and structure of your tooth. Timely intervention with a filling is essential if you have a cavity. If left untreated for too long, your tooth could decay further and potentially require a dental crown and/or root canal therapy.
Created by a dental care technician at an outside dental lab, lab-made crowns restore damaged teeth by covering the entire tooth down to the gum line. First, your dentist will trim your tooth to remove damaged material. They'll then shape it into a strong, sturdy platform to which the crown will eventually be attached.
Following the affixment, impressions are taken of the tooth using dental trays and putty or a digital intraoral scanner. These casts are then shipped to the dental lab where your crown will be made out of a high-quality ceramic or porcelain material.
After your tooth has been prepared and impressions have been taken, you will receive a temporary crown during your first appointment. Once your dental crown is complete, you'll stop by for your second appointment so that your dentist can permanently attach the new crown to your tooth.
A dental bridge uses two dental crowns to suspend a pontic, or false tooth, in the gap where a natural tooth has been lost. A metal appliance is often placed to attach the false tooth to the crowns. A dental bridge can prevent your other teeth from shifting over time and last for years. This treatment could also be considered cosmetic dentistry.
The best way to treat an infected tooth is through root canal therapy. When the vulnerable pulp inside the tooth and root canals is exposed to oral bacteria, teeth become infected. This can happen if you accidentally crack your tooth or if you experience severe tooth decay.
To begin the procedure, your dentist will clean your teeth and numb your mouth. By drilling a hole in the enamel, your dentist can access and remove any decayed material from the interior of your tooth all the way down to the roots. After your roots are thoroughly cleaned, they will be filled with an inert material to maintain the structure and integrity of the tooth. You'll be given either a dental filling or a dental crown that will protect and restore your tooth to complete the procedure.
To replace one or multiple missing teeth or a damaged tooth, partial dentures use false teeth and a metal and plastic framework that clip directly onto your remaining healthy teeth. This appliance can restore your smile, your bite, and your self-confidence. They are a convenient and affordable way to get your smile back, and typically don't take too long to create.
Full dentures are used to replace the upper arch, lower arch, or both arches of your teeth and fit snugly on the gums. This restorative dentistry appliance is a strong option if you struggle with more serious dental health issues or have lost most or all of your natural teeth. You must have all remaining teeth extracted in order to have a full set of dentures fitted.
When replacing missing teeth, oral surgeries are a necessary step in the restorative process, particularly when placing dental implants. Planning, oral surgery, and healing time are required for the dental implant post process, so that the titanium implants and the bone can fully fuse together to create your artificial tooth root.
Patients who have weakened jaw bones or loss of jaw mass may be candidates for bone grafts. When teeth are not replaced due to oral disease, bone mass can be lost. Bone grafts support bone mass so patients' jaws can properly maintain dental implants.
Treatments such as full dentures or full arch dental implants may require extractions. For patients who are in need of a full arch of artificial teeth, the extraction of all remaining natural teeth, both healthy and unhealthy will be necessary.
3 million Americans wear dental implants to replace missing teeth.
Restorative dentistry can restore the form and function of damaged and missing teeth. Untreated cavities, severe decay, and gum disease can cause tooth damage and loss. Issues can also happen due to an oral trauma accident, like a sports injury or a slip and fall.
By following through with a necessary restorative dental treatment, patients can avoid future complications and more costly treatment options. More serious dental care issues can progress if damaged or missing teeth are left untreated. By getting the care you need right away, you can save time and money in the long run. You'll also enjoy lasting relief from pain and discomfort, all while regaining your natural functionality. Plus, restorative dental treatment significantly improves the appearance of your smile. You can have a pleasing, natural grin and a boost of confidence by restoring your missing or damaged teeth. Restorative dentistry in Albuquerque could also pave the way towards cosmetic dentistry in the future.
If you are experiencing any dental health issue that causes serious pain, oral discomfort, or bleeding, you may require emergency restorative treatment . Damaged or broken teeth, severe and prolonged toothaches, and pulled-out or lost dental work all constitute for dental emergencies. It's better to be safe than sorry, so contact your Albuquerque dentist to get emergency treatment right away.
Most insurances will cover restorative treatment, but the extent of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer. For example, your dental insurance provider may cover dental crowns and bridges, but may not offer coverage for dental implants. We suggest getting in contact with your insurance provider to fully understand your coverage.
Dental restorations can last anywhere from five to twenty years, depending on how well you take care of them and the material used. Proper oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, can help prolong the lifespan of your dental restorations. Additionally, avoiding hard or chewy foods and not using your teeth as tools can also help prevent damage to your restorations.
Some restorations can be completed in one visit to the dentist, like composite fillings and dental bonding. However, other procedures, like dental implants or crowns, may require multiple appointments to complete. We are able to provide emergency dentistry if applicable.
Absolutely not! It's never too late to start treating dental problems, regardless of how severe they are. Even adult teeth can be treated with restorative methods such as dental implants, bridges, crowns, and fillings. Your dentist can help you figure out which treatment plan will work best for your specific needs.
The answer depends on your particular oral health needs, but it's important to note that oral problems usually worsen over time. So, the longer you wait, the more extensive your treatment may become. The best way to determine whether you need restorative work is by scheduling an appointment with your dentist for a comprehensive oral examination.
Yes, dental restorations can help improve your bite and chewing ability by addressing any issues with missing or damaged teeth. This can also help improve your overall oral health by reducing the risk of further damage or decay.
Yes, dental restorations can fix gaps in your teeth. Depending on the size of the gap, the dentist may recommend options such as veneers, bonding, or implants to fill the gap and restore your smile.
Yes, dental restorations can look very natural. Modern dental technology allows for restorations that match the color, shape, and size of your natural teeth, giving you a natural-looking smile.
Yes! Not only can restorative dentistry improve your oral health, but it can also benefit your overall health and wellbeing. A healthy, attractive smile can boost your self-confidence, improve your social relationships, and even reduce your risk for certain medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Additionally, addressing issues like sleep apnea, bite problems, and head/neck pain through restorative dentistry can lead to better overall health and quality of life.
Yes, you can still get dental restorations if you have sensitive teeth. The dentist can use materials and techniques to minimize sensitivity during the procedure and make you more comfortable.
About a quarter of American adults are missing all teeth. With restorative care options, tooth loss can be prevented.