What Are the Different Types of Restorative Dentistry?

A healthy, beaming smile can be your standout feature. And with a beautiful smile, you'll look healthier, younger, and more beautiful. However, stained, fractured, chipped, decayed, or missing teeth can lead to an unhealthy smile and affect your overall wellbeing. A damaged smile lowers your confidence and self-esteem, affecting your personal and social life. If you dream of a better smile, restorative dentistry can help.



Restorative dentistry involves dental procedures aimed to repair or restore damaged teeth. Seeking restorative dentistry not only creates your dream smile but has other benefits. You'll enjoy teeth that are more functional, reduced dental discomfort, improved appearance, less pain, and better dental structure. 

Whether your dental issues are functional or cosmetic, a dental restoration procedure can help restore tooth appearance and function at once. Read on to discover the different types of restorative dentistry you can have. 

Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are the most popular type of restorative dentistry. Filings are made from materials such as porcelain, gold, composite resin, or silver amalgam. The filling materials are safe and effective and will help to repair teeth with cavities or decay. During the procedure, the restorative dentist will remove the decayed or damaged parts and fill the cavity.

While dental filling is relatively simple, you'll need to visit a reputable dental clinic for the procedure. The procedure will take little time to complete depending on the location and size of the cavity. Dental fillings help protect further tooth decay, stop cavity growth, improve tooth structure, and strengthen teeth. 

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are artificial tooth caps used to cover severely damaged teeth. If dental fillings can't fill up your cavities or you have severely fractured, chipped, worn, or cracked teeth, dental crowns can help restore your teeth's shape, size, and appearance. Dental crowns can be from different materials like porcelain, resin, and gold.

Dental crowns can help save severely damaged teeth, prevent a dead tooth from falling out, and can last for a long time. Also, dental crowns are tailor-made to match the surrounding teeth's size, shape, and color.

Dental Implants 

Dental implants are a perfect option to replace a missing tooth. A dental implant replaces both the tooth and the root system and helps to restore tooth function and appearance. While this procedure may take a few months to complete, the implants are permanent and can last for decades.

Dental implants can help to improve speech, restore bite force, prevent bone loss, support adjacent teeth, and enhance appearance. Consult a restorative dentist for dental implants if you have a missing tooth.

Dental Bridges

If you have a missing tooth, you can also opt for dental bridges as a replacement. However, unlike the dental implants embedded into the jawbone, surrounding teeth hold dental bridges in place. Dental bridges are especially ideal for replacing missing teeth in a row. 

A dental bridge will help cover the missing teeth gap to restore your smile, prevent teeth shifting, maintain your face's natural shape, and improve chewing and speaking. 

Dentures

If you've lost all or most of your teeth, dentures are ideal to replace the missing teeth. Complete dentures are best in cases of complete teeth loss, while partial dentures are ideal if you have some natural teeth remaining.

Also, dentures can either be removable or fixed. Removable dentures can be easily taken out daily for cleaning. However, if you opt for a fixed denture, you need to visit a dental office for removal. Dentures are comfortable, natural-looking, cost-effective, and will restore your smile.

Restorative dentistry procedures can help restore damaged or missing teeth. For a healthy, beautiful smile, visit an experienced restorative dentist to get these procedures. At Pittsburgh Dental Spa, we're ready to help with all your restorative dentistry needs. Contact us today to book an appointment.