Restorative Dentistry

RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY REPAIRS DAMAGED TEETH

No matter how diligent your dental routine, you may still end up with missing teeth or teeth that are decayed, discolored or damaged. You shouldn’t feel like you need to keep your lips clamped tight when you smile in an attempt to hide your teeth. At Southern Shores Dental our experienced, highly personable, and knowledgeable staff can provide a solution that fits your needs.

Solutions for Replacing Teeth

Teeth replacements are necessary for teeth that are missing or require removal when they’re damaged beyond repair. Depending on the location and number of teeth that need replacement, you have a variety of options for restoring your smile and maintaining proper facial structure.

Replacing missing teeth is essential for cosmetic reasons, as well as for maintaining proper alignment and functioning for speaking and chewing.  Below are some of the restorative treatments available and the problems they treat.

  • Bridges: Bridges consist of one or more artificial teeth meant to “bridge” the gap where teeth are missing. They connect to remaining teeth on either side of the space, usually by crowning those teeth. Bridges are a fixed prosthetic, and therefore, cannot be removed.
  • Implants: Implants are posts implanted into your jawbone. They remain permanently in place and are covered with an artificial tooth to replace individual teeth to serve as abutments for fixed bridges or to hold partial or full dentures in place.
  • Dentures: Dentures are removable prosthetics that can replace a full set of teeth or a partial area where several teeth are missing. They contain artificial teeth on a gum-colored platform customized for a precise fit. Partial dentures often have clasps to hold onto some of the remaining teeth for more stability.

Solutions for Restoring Existing Teeth

Sometimes a damaged or decayed tooth has enough of a healthy tooth remaining to avoid removal. A variety of restoration techniques can strengthen your existing tooth while restoring it to the ideal shape, size, and color.

  • Crowns: Crowns are natural-looking caps placed over teeth that are badly damaged, discolored, or poorly shaped. They can also be used when an existing tooth isn’t stable or strong enough to hold a large filling. Crowns can protect a tooth from further fracture.
  • Composite Restorations: Composite restorations consist of tooth-colored fillings that repair cavities while maintaining the natural look of your teeth.
  • Inlays and Onlays: Inlays and onlays are customized fillings created at a dental lab that are bonded to your existing tooth. They can cover larger areas than traditional fillings yet are not as extreme a solution as a crown, as they allow the dentist to conserve more tooth structure.
  • Porcelain veneers: These thin, tooth-colored shells are bonded to your teeth that the dentist has prepared. They are helpful for concealing damage, discoloration, chips, gaps, and other imperfections.

Replacing or restoring damaged teeth is beneficial for your appearance, your confidence, and your overall health. The Southern Shores Dental team can provide additional details and answer questions about the restorative solution that best fits your needs. Contact our office at 803-359-6143 for an appointment today.