Restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases, as well as the restoration of damaged or missing teeth. The goal of restorative dentistry is to improve the function, health, and appearance of a patient's teeth and gums.
Restorative dentistry procedures include:
- Dental fillings: Used to repair cavities or small areas of tooth decay. Fillings can be made of materials like amalgam, composite resin, or porcelain.
- Crowns: Also known as caps, crowns are used to restore teeth that are badly decayed, broken, or weakened. Crowns are typically made of porcelain, metal, or a combination of materials.
- Bridges: Used to replace one or more missing teeth, bridges consist of a false tooth (or teeth) that are anchored to the surrounding teeth or implants.
- Dentures: Used to replace multiple missing teeth, dentures are removable prosthetic devices that are custom-made to fit a patient's mouth.
- Dental implants: Used to replace missing teeth, implants consist of a titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone, and a crown that is attached to the post.
Overall, restorative dentistry plays an important role in maintaining the health and function of a patient's teeth and gums, and can greatly improve their quality of life.