It isn’t hard to deduce that Restorative Dentistry has something to do with restoration. But what, exactly, does that mean? Restorative Dentistry includes procedures that repair the functionality and appearance to your teeth and mouth. Restoring functionality means the tooth can again perform needed tasks, such as chewing food. Restoring appearance means your smile and the shape of your face return to their natural state. Many restorative treatments make repairs to both functional and appearance-related aspects of your teeth and mouth.
An Example of Restoring Functionality
If you have untreated bruxism (tooth grinding) your dentist may notice small fractures in the enamel of your teeth. In a severe care, a molar (the larger teeth at the rear of your mouth) could develop a fracture that allowed a piece of the tooth to chip off. If a dental bonding procedure was used to rebuild the chipped area, it would allow the back tooth to again function properly. A bridge that replaced a missing back tooth is another example of functional repair.
An Example of Restoring Appearance
Sometimes accidents can happen. An adult could lose a front tooth in a fall from a bike, for example. A dental implant post could be placed in the jaw, to hold a carefully crafted crown. This crown would match the surrounding teeth in color and appearance, thus restoring the appearance of the smile. The implant would also fill the missing space, and keep surrounding teeth from gradually sliding out of proper alignment, so it would also fill a functional purpose.
