In need of restorative dentistry in Mission Viejo? Restorative dentistry is a number of dental procedures that restore the bite and function of the teeth. They include dental implants, crowns, fillings, bridges, root canals and much more. Not only are chipped, cracked, worn or missing teeth unattractive, they can also be signs of decay or other oral health problems. When patients are in need of restorative dentistry they may feel self-conscious, and have difficulty chewing, speaking or simply smiling.
Restorative dentistry uses durable dental prosthetics to fill out a gapped smile, and allow patients to chew normally again.
If one or more of your natural teeth are decayed, damaged or missing, you may be in need of restorative dentistry treatment. At the leading dental practice of Dr. Robert Milner, we offer a range of dental services to restore the health and beauty of teeth and gums. Patients seeking to restore their oral health and smiles trust that Dr. Milner and our professional dental staff can deliver excellent and natural-looking results.
Restorative Dentistry Treatments
During your initial consultation, a member of our dental team will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to determine the dental treatment that best fits your needs. We offer the following restorative treatments:
- Dental bridges to close the gap between teeth left by a missing tooth
- Dental crowns to strengthen damaged, decayed teeth
- Dental implants to permanently replace missing teeth
- Dental fillings for teeth damaged by cavities
- Dental bonding to conceal small structural problems such as chips and cracks
- Dental sealants to protect the molars from decay
- Dentures to replace the upper or lower arches (or both)
- Root Canals to preserve the natural tooth by removing the infected tooth pulp and nerve
- Full Mouth Reconstruction, a multi-step treatment consisting of two or more restorative treatments to properly rehabilitate the functionality of teeth.
Benefits of Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry can:
- Strengthen your bite
- Stimulate the jawbone to avoid bone erosion
- Improve your confidence, appearance, and self-esteem with a beautiful, full smile
- Help to minimize a speech impediment
- Protect your teeth from shifting out of alignment
Restorative Dentistry Candidates
Restorative dentistry is recommended to patients who have missing teeth, cracked or broken teeth, and/or infected and decaying teeth. Restorative procedures are the best option to make a patient’s smile whole again, with complete functionality. After examining your mouth, Dr. Milner can determine the appropriate course of action, sometimes combining multiple restorative procedures.
Restorative Dentistry FAQ
Does restorative dentistry hurt?
Dr. Milner keeps patients as comfortable as possible during restorative dentistry procedures. Primarily, this involves using local anesthetics to keep your mouth numb, but he also offers sedation dentistry techniques if you are anxious about a dental procedure. Most patients experience minimal discomfort after their dental work and may take prescription pain medication when appropriate.
How long do restorative dental treatments last?
The duration of your results depends on which procedure is performed and the materials used to perform this procedure. For example, a dental crown can last about 10 years while a dental implant can last decades. All procedures last longer when the teeth are well taken care of, including daily brushing and flossing.
Is restorative dentistry covered by insurance?
Since restorative dentistry procedures are considered necessary to improve and maintain strong oral health, they are typically covered (at least in part) by dental insurance plans. Check your individual policy to determine what kind of benefits you are entitled to.
Can restorative dentistry procedures be combined?
Yes, Dr. Milner often uses two or more restorative procedures to address a patient’s dental needs. This comprehensive plan is known as full mouth reconstruction. Dr. Milner can often perform these procedures on the same day to minimize the number of appointments.
What is the difference between restorative and cosmetic dentistry?
The main objective of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the aesthetics of the smile, as opposed to restorative dentistry which is concerned with improving the functionality of the mouth. While cosmetic and restorative dentistry procedures sometimes overlap and most restorative procedures do make aesthetic improvements to the mouth by replacing missing teeth, these are two separate areas of dentistry. Fortunately, Dr. Milner specializes in both types of dentistry and strives to give his patients an attractive and fully functional mouth no matter what procedure he performs.
How soon after a tooth extraction can I have a restorative procedure?
This largely depends on how quickly your mouth heals and the specific type of restoration procedure you are choosing to replace the missing tooth. Because dental implants require surgery to insert a new titanium post in the gums, Dr. Milner typically recommends waiting a couple months. Other options like bridges or dentures can be started much sooner, if not immediately. Dr. Milner will always be inclined to replace a tooth sooner than later to protect the health and alignment of your teeth.
Restore Your Oral Health with Dr. Milner
Dr. Milner is committed to helping you maintain optimal oral health. Schedule an appointment today by calling our Mission Viejo office 949-859-8899.
