Restorative Dentistry
Spring Hill, FL
 Restorative dentistry is all about oral functionality. Many cosmetic dental procedures require a bit of restorative dentistry before cosmetic improvements can happen. The services considered restorative dentistry include anything related to repairing damaged and decayed teeth. We at DeLuca, Ressel, & Congemi Dental Care believe restorative dentistry is some of the most important work we do. We are proud to offer excellent care through the latest technologies for restoring your teeth.
Fillings are typically used to restore teeth damaged by cavities. We will use a special material to fill in whatever was destroyed from the cavity. Several materials may be used in your filling such as gold, silver amalgam, composite resin, or porcelain. A filling does require anesthesia to comfortably remove decay and clean off bacteria. After filling in the tooth, a special light will be used to harden the filling, and then we will finish off by polishing and shaping the tooth so it looks and fits right in your mouth.
A crown, also made from porcelain or resin, completely caps whatever is left of a damaged tooth. The crown process is a bit more complicated than a filling; it is a multi-visit process requiring x-rays, and a mold to be created in the laboratory. We will use anesthesia to cement the crown to your tooth. With good care and maintenance, crowns can last over 10 years.
If damage, decay, or trauma to your mouth has taken out your teeth altogether, we have several solutions to replace the teeth and restore your perfect smile. Missing teeth are not only a cosmetic issue, having gaps in your mouth is damaging to your gums and leads to your teeth shifting. These solutions vary by situation and oral health history, so please be sure to speak to us and thoroughly understand all of your options before opting to replace a tooth.
Bridges are artificial teeth, typically made from porcelain used to bridge together the gap left by lost teeth. For bridges to be successful, there need to be strong healthy teeth on either side. We may use crowns on either side to help support. The bridge is cemented in and can last up to 10 years.
Another common solution to missing teeth is dentures. Dentures are removable artificial teeth. They might be partial, replacing only a few artificial teeth, or full, replacing a full set of teeth. Dentures need to be taken out while eating, brushing, and sleeping and are secured in the mouth through an appliance, oral adhesive, or suction.
For a more permanent solution to bridges and dentures, consider dental implants. A dental implant fully replaces the tooth at the root. Made from a biocompatible material, they can bond to the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. Implants look and feel much more natural and comfortable than bridges and dentures. However, dental implants do require minor surgery on the gums. Those receiving an implant cannot have poor periodontal health.
Sometimes, the damage from a cavity or other source of decay becomes too much for just a filling and so a more thorough solution is needed. In this case, an inlay will be used. An inlay is made from gold or ceramic and is shaped to exactly fit whatever gap was left from the cavity damage. With good care, an inlay can be much more durable than a filling.
Inlays fill a gap within the tooth, but if the edges are worn away, and the tooth needs an outer covering, then an onlay will be used instead. An onlay covers an outer edge of the tooth. However, if the tooth is so worn down and small, an onlay will not fix the issue. In such a case, a crown may be needed.
Sometimes the innermost layers of the tooth get destroyed and need care. To review the structure of your tooth, the outer layer is called the enamel. Next is a hard protective layer called dentin and within the dentin is the pulp. The pulp is soft, being made up of tissue and nerves, which nourish your tooth and give it sensation.
A damaged tooth, deep cavity, or sometimes genetic issues may cause the pulp to become inflamed. The symptoms of a damaged pulp are tooth sensitivity, especially to extreme temperatures, swelling in the gums, gum pimples, or pain while biting and chewing. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to give us a call. Leaving a damaged pulp to decay will eventually lead to an infection that can spread across your mouth.
Root canals are a straightforward procedure. You will be put under anesthesia, and we will go into your tooth, remove the damaged nerve tissue, and then clean and seal up the tooth. The entire procedure should be no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.
Although there are many solutions to restore damaged teeth, there are times when there is no way of repairing what remains of the tooth and it needs to be taken out. Tooth extraction is normal. Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed - there are plenty of solutions for fixing missing teeth.
Getting a tooth extraction, otherwise known as getting a tooth pulled, is a very safe procedure. Before getting a tooth pulled, please inform us regarding your risk for developing infections, what medications you take, and other relevant parts of your health history. After having your tooth pulled, you may take painkillers according to the prescription. We will give you gauze. Be careful to keep them fresh and clean by changing them every couple of hours.
Give both yourself and your mouth a break. Limit physical activity, eat only soft foods, avoid straws, rinsing, and other motions that will damage your wounds. Tooth extractions are not always comfortable and take a little time to heal, but sometimes they are the only option to maintain your overall oral health.
Restorative dentistry not only includes the teeth but also your jaw. A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge connecting your jawbone to your skull. If your TMJ becomes injured, you may experience difficulty chewing, opening, or closing your mouth, or you may have jaw, face, or ear pain. If you are experiencing any of these, you may need to set up a consultation to diagnose your TMJ disorder.
Having a toothache or damaged teeth can cause pain, discomfort, insecurity, and sometimes even have a negative impact on your health at large. Please do not suffer alone. Let us know if you think you need some restorative dentistry. DeLuca, Ressel, & Congemi Dental Care is here to help, so please call us at (352) 666-9898 to learn more and set up your appointment with our team of caring dental professionals. |
