Restorative and general dentistry includes all the problems associated with the health and functioning of the teeth. The treatments include the diagnosis and repair of broken, infected, or damaged teeth, gums, and tissues. Family dentistry is all about taking care of the oral health of the entire family. General dentists provide primary care for their patients managing their oral health and refer them to other specialists if the problem requires further specialized treatment. A general dentist also provides fillings, crowns, extractions, root canals, and periodontal care. Besides, general dentists also carry out some cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening and dental veneers.
Restorative dentistry focuses on replacing the damaged and missing teeth. Restorative dentists offer services to rebuild the gum and bone tissue, dental prosthetics, dentures, and gum grafting, to name a few. They also help treat patients who need dental repairs caused by injuries or trauma.
What is the main aim of Restorative dentistry?
The main aim of restorative dentistry is to save teeth and restore the natural look, shape, and feel of the natural teeth. This goal is achieved with the following measures:
- The missing teeth are replaced with artificial restorations such as dentures, implants, or bridges.
- The damaged teeth are repaired with dental fillings or bonding treatments.
- The tooth structure’s missing parts are restored with direct or indirect procedures such as the crowns, fillings, or inlays and onlays.
What are the different types of treatments in Restorative and General Dentistry?
Restorative and General treatments include bridges, dentures, fillings, crowns, implants, inlays, onlays, and bonding.
Dental Bridges
They help replace one or more teeth bridging the gap on both sides of the missing tooth. Dental bridges are more economical than implants and the recovery time is also faster. They are also not as strong as the implants.
Dental Crowns
They are tooth-colored or metal restorations. It replaces considerable missing tooth structure caused by root canals, dental decay, or fractures. They serve as caps and restore the normal size, shape, and function of a tooth.
Dentures
They are removable or fixed sets of prosthetic teeth that replace multiple missing teeth. Dentures provide a solution for people suffering from advanced dental decay or gum disease.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is used to replace a permanent tooth. The dentist inserts these implants in the jawbone of a patient to fill up the missing tooth’s space, thereby restoring the look, feel, and function of the natural tooth.
Dental Bonding
They can fill cavities, repair cracked or chipped teeth and hide the surfaces of discolored teeth. These dental bonding also helps fill small gaps between the teeth.
Root Canal
This form is treatment is performed to remove the infected tissue inside the tooth to save it. A root canal is done under anesthesia; it is a regular dental procedure, such as removing a wisdom tooth or a filling.
Inlays and Onlays
They are partial tooth-colored or gold restorations that replace smaller areas of the missing or damaged tooth structure. They are less invasive than the crowns, and the repairs are carried outside of the mouth.
Dental Fillings
The metal or tooth-colored dental fillings restore teeth that have been damaged by injury or tooth decay. They also help reduce the risk of infection and also improve the bite.
