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Restorative dentistry repairs or replaces damaged, decaying, or missing teeth. At Rainier Dental in Bonney Lake, Puyallup, Sumner, and Tacoma, Washington, the skilled dental team provides several types of restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, dental implants, and dentures. After an oral exam and dental X-rays, they develop a personalized treatment plan to restore your smile and improve your oral health. Call Rainier Dental today to schedule a restorative dentistry appointment, or book your visit online.
Restorative Dentistry Q&A
Can I benefit from restorative dentistry if I have a cavity?
Yes. Restorative dentistry uses custom dental restorations to repair or replace permanent teeth. The Rainier Dental team might recommend restorative dentistry if you have cavities, broken teeth, or missing teeth.
Modern dental restorations feature materials like porcelain, ceramic, and metal amalgam. These substances withstand the forces of biting and chewing, preventing further damage while enhancing your smile.
What services does restorative dentistry include?
The Rainier Dental team offers several types of restorative dentistry, including:
Crowns and bridges
Crowns and bridges are the most common dental restorations.
A crown is a synthetic cap that your dentist bonds on top of a damaged or severely decaying tooth. It covers the entire portion of tooth enamel above your gum line, restoring your biting and chewing abilities.
A bridge is a restoration that “bridges” a gap where a permanent tooth used to be. Dental bridges have an artificial tooth (pontic) and two crowns or a metal framework. The pontic fills a gap in your teeth, and the crowns or framework hold the bridge in place.
Inlays and Onlays
Sometimes, dental crowns are too big to repair damaged or decaying teeth. The team recommends an inlay or an onlay if you have minor tooth enamel damage.
An inlay repairs damage to the chewing surface of a tooth. Specifically, it fills an area between the cusps (or ridges) on top of a tooth.
An onlay repairs damage to one or more cusps (ridges) on top of your tooth. It covers at least half of the tooth’s chewing surface, restoring your biting and chewing abilities.
Dental implants
A dental implant is a small metal post inserted into an empty tooth socket. The implant fuses with your bone after placement, providing a base for a crown, bridge, or implant-supported dentures.
Dentures
Dentures are removable oral appliances customized to replace some or all of your natural teeth. They rest on top of your gums and are held in place with denture glue.
Is restorative dentistry right for me?
Before recommending restorative dentistry, your Rainier Dental provider completes an oral exam and takes digital X-rays. You qualify for treatment if you have damaged, decaying, or missing permanent teeth.
Call the nearest Rainier Dental office today to schedule restorative dentistry, or book your appointment online.