Three Rivers Dental provides restorative dental services in Longview, WA. Call 360-803-8003 to learn more and schedule an appointment.
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry refers to dental procedures that repair or replace damaged teeth. Teeth can decay due to a buildup of plaque or become damaged due to injury, and restorative procedures provide the necessary treatment to either save the tooth or replace it with a dental prosthetic.
Benefits of Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry offers many benefits, such as:
- Save the natural teeth. In many cases, restorative procedures can save your natural teeth. The right treatment at the right time can mean you can keep your teeth and preserve surrounding support tissues.
- Provide functional replacement teeth. When a tooth is too decayed or damaged to be saved, restorative dentistry also includes replacement teeth, such as dental implants, bridges, and dentures.
- Restore your smile. Restorative dentistry procedures can also make your smile look better by repairing or replacing damaged teeth.
- Improved oral health. Better dental health results in better oral health, meaning the soft tissues of your mouth are healthier as well.
- Better overall health and wellness. Dental health is directly related to your overall health, so the healthier your mouth is, the healthier you will be.
Procedures Offered
We provide the following restorative dental services:
- Tooth colored fillings / Composite fillings. A cavity is a pit or hole that forms in a tooth due to decay from plaque. Composite resin is used for tooth-colored fillings that fill the hole and leave the tooth looking natural.
- Root canals. A root canal repairs a tooth from the inside out, replacing the soft tissue inside the tooth with composite material to treat or prevent infection.
- Dental crowns and bridges. A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap placed over a tooth that has extensive decay or damage. A bridge is an artificial tooth that is supported by crowns placed over the teeth on each side of the gap and cemented in place.
- Dental implants. A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is surgically placed in the jaw to support a prosthetic. An implant can replace a single tooth, and multiple implants can support a bridge or dentures.
- Dentures. When all or multiple teeth need to be replaced, dentures provide a replacement option. Partial dentures can attach to the remaining teeth and full dentures can be secured with suction, adhesives, or dental implants.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Dentistry
Are composite fillings better than metal fillings?
Composite fillings are more commonly used than metal fillings in modern dentistry because they look more natural and because the material doesn’t expand and contract with changes in temperature the way metal fillings do, which can eventually cause teeth to crack.
Should I have my metal fillings replaced with composite?
There is no major concern if you have metal fillings in place. If you go to the dentist regularly, your dentist will examine your teeth and current fillings and recommend a replacement filling if necessary.
Is a dental implant better than a bridge to replace a tooth?
Both dental implants and bridges have pros and cons, but in most cases a dental implant is a better option. Dental implants last longer than bridges and won’t damage your existing teeth the way bridges can. They also look and function more like a natural tooth.
How long does a filling take?
On average, a single dental filling will take between 30 and 60 minutes. If the tooth is in need of a more complex procedure, such as a root canal or crown, the process may take between 60 and 90 minutes.
What’s the difference between traditional and implant supported dentures?
Traditional dentures are secured with adhesives or suction, which can sometimes allow them to slip out of place. Implant-supported dentures are secured with anywhere from 4-6 dental implants, which provides a much more secure and comfortable hold.
Contact Us
Call 360-803-8003 to schedule an appointment.