Discover Restorative Treatment Options to Decide What Is Right for You

Do you have ongoing dental issues that leave you hesitant to share your smile with the world? Do you avoid your favorite treats due to tooth sensitivity and pain? If so, restorative dentistry in Middletown, Ohio, could be what you need. You can enjoy a full and healthy smile with the wide range of treatment options we offer.

Restorative Dentistry Treatment Options

Restorative dentistry treatments focus on fixing your smile’s appearance, function, and health. There’s some overlap between cosmetic and restorative dentistry, but restorative treatments lean more toward repairing damage and preventing future oral health issues.

Your restorative dentistry treatment options can range from individual procedures, such as placing crowns or bridges, to a full mouth restoration that replaces or fixes all the teeth in your mouth. Full mouth restoration is also called full mouth rehabilitation or reconstruction.

Your dentist can carefully create your treatment plan to improve your smile and ensure long-term oral health.

1. Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are among the most basic dental restorative treatments. They are less invasive than many other tooth replacement options and are suitable for dealing with specific cases with localized damage or decay.

If you have a tooth that is decayed or damaged too much for a simple filling but not so much as to require a crown, an inlay or onlay could be the right choice. Inlays and onlays are made from porcelain and fit your tooth perfectly, replacing a damaged or decayed section.

A dental inlay replaces a part of the chewing surface, and a dental onlay replaces the chewing surface and all, or part, of the edge. They can restore the function and appearance of an affected tooth while preserving as much natural tooth material as possible.

2. Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are similar in principle to inlays and onlays. However, they take the form of a cover that sits around the entire tooth. Enamel is removed to prepare a peg-like foundation for the crown. This option restores the tooth while keeping the natural roots.

Dentists use various materials for dental crowns, and porcelain is considered one of the best. It is strong, durable, and slightly translucent to match the appearance of a natural tooth as closely as possible.

Your dental crown is custom made to fit perfectly with your natural teeth so that you can enjoy the full function of your teeth and a beautiful smile.

3. Dental Bridges and Partial Dentures

Dentists apply crowns, inlays, and onlays to restore damaged or decayed teeth. However, in some cases, a tooth or a few teeth in a row can be missing entirely. When this occurs, options such as dental bridges and partial dentures can provide restoration.

A dental bridge is a single unit that consists of several replacement teeth in a row. The two teeth on either side of the missing tooth are prepared in the same way as they would be for a dental crown. The bridge then uses those teeth for support, spanning the gap and restoring your smile.

Partial dentures are an option that won’t affect your natural teeth. A replacement tooth (or teeth) is attached to a base that sits around the surrounding teeth and looks like natural gum tissue. The partial denture can restore your smile and prevent long-term oral health issues while also being removable and easy to care for.

4. Dental Implants

Dental implants are among the most versatile restorative dentistry treatments. They embed the strong titanium implants in the jawbone to provide a foundation for crowns, bridges, or full arch restoration.

The dental implant itself can last for the patient’s lifetime. The crown or other tooth replacement can wear or become damaged over time, but the patient can easily get them replaced when the time comes without affecting the dental implant.

5. Implant-Supported Dentures

For patients with missing teeth, implant-supported dentures offer a better solution than traditional dentures. Dental implants provide a foundation for full arch restoration. This stops the implant-supported dentures from slipping and improves bite strength.

Patients who choose implant-supported dentures for their full mouth restoration can enjoy an improved quality of life compared to traditional dentures. They can eat and speak more naturally and have the confidence that comes with knowing their dentures won’t slip at an inopportune moment.

Implant-supported dentures are also beneficial in terms of long-term oral health. Patients with traditional dentures can experience jawbone deterioration over the years, leading to a sunken facial appearance. Dental implants work similarly to natural tooth roots, preventing bone loss from taking place.

Restorative Dentistry in Middletown, Ohio

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your smile or concerned about your oral health, you can visit Dr. Steven A. Lang, DDS, for quality care. With a full range of treatment options and prosthodontics in Middletown, Dr. Lang delivers personalized treatments with exceptional skill. Schedule your consultation today.