Hello, I'm Dr. Koilpillai. Here at Montpelier Family Dentistry, we often get questions about what restorative dentistry is, so I'm here to answer some questions on restorative dentistry.
What procedures fall under restorative dentistry?
You may wonder what procedures fall under restorative dentistry. Restorative dentistry is a fairly general term, and it involves restoring the function of the teeth, which could include fillings, inlays, onlays, crowns, bridges, implants, etc. We're basically trying to restore what was lost in the course of someone's lifetime. We're trying to put your teeth back into normal function.
How are cosmetic and restorative dentistry different?
The question arises, how are cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry different? Cosmetic dentistry has to do with improving the appearance of someone's face or their teeth and improving their smile. Some people are not happy with their smile, and cosmetic dentistry has to do with increasing the aesthetics of their smile. Now, restorative dentistry doesn't necessarily have to do with that; we're basically trying to restore function to the patient so that they can chew normally and function normally in their day-to-day life.
How does a dentist determine if restorative dentistry is necessary?
You may wonder how a dentist determines if restorative dentistry is necessary. First of all, we do a thorough examination in the office. We take any necessary records, such as x-rays and scans, and put that all together. With that information, we determine if restorative dentistry is necessary.
What could disqualify me from being eligible for restorative dental procedures?
You might wonder if anything would disqualify you from getting restorative dentistry procedures. Sometimes, yes, there are situations where the teeth are too far gone, whether due to gum disease or because the teeth are so far broken down that they cannot be saved. But in the larger sense, we can still restore someone's mouth, and that could be through dentures or implants. Those are two ways of getting people their teeth back and restoring some of the function they had before.
What are restorative dental procedures?
You may wonder what restorative dental procedures are. They could be fillings, crowns, inlays, onlays, bridges, or even implants and what we put on top of the implants. Whether they're dentures, they're all considered restorative dentistry.
What materials are used in restorative dentistry?
You may wonder what materials are used in restorative dentistry. For the most part, for common fillings, we use a material called composite filling material. For crowns and bridges, we use other materials like zirconia, metal, porcelain, etc.
What are the outcomes and benefits of restorative dentistry?
You might wonder what the outcomes and benefits of restorative dentistry are. Ultimately, the outcome would be that you're able to chew better and function better, speaking and those kinds of things, with comfort and feeling normal about eating and speaking. That would be the final outcome.
Are restorative dental procedures painful?
The question arises: Are restorative dental procedures painful? To that, I would say no, they're not, because we do everything under a local anesthetic in our office, where you're completely numb and comfortable during the procedure.
How can I schedule a dental exam?
You may wonder how to schedule a dental exam. Please call Montpelier Family Dentistry at (301) 812-4599 and schedule an appointment.
I hope we've been able to answer some of your questions on restorative dentistry. If you have additional questions or are ready to take action, give us a call. We're here to help. I hope you got some answers that you're looking for in this little video. If you have any more questions, please call us at Montpelier Family Dentistry, and we'll be happy to answer your questions.