Prompt restorative dentistry rebuilds healthy smiles and supports lasting wellbeing
By partnering with our patients at Innovative Dental Care in Omaha, Nebraska, we often help them avoid the conditions that lead to the need for restorative dentistry. Instead, we prefer to practice proactive preventive dentistry wherever possible. Generally, the better we can maintain the health of the teeth, gums, and mouth, the better off the patient (and their budget!) will be. However, should threats to the integrity of your teeth or gums arise, we have many restorative options available to you, your children, or senior members of your family.
Multi-faceted restorative dentistry
If we must restore the structure of a tooth or tissues, Dr. Summer Gutschow broadly recommends the most conservative alternative to rebuild the structure of the teeth, gums, or supportive bone. Conventional options are focused on preserving maximum natural tissue and are minimally invasive. They are further associated with less time-consuming and costly processes and fewer side effects, downtime, healing, and complications.
The dental options listed below are generally in order, from those most conservative to those that are much more invasive. The recommended treatment option depends mainly on the amount of healthy tissue you have and the amount of lost tissue that must be replaced to restore healthy function and appearance.
- Dental fillings – A sturdy, tooth-like material is applied to “fill in” and repair the hole or cavity formed in the tooth.
- Dental inlays or onlays – Material is applied to the damaged tooth surface between the cusps or tips of the tooth (inlays) or also to cover at least one of the cusps or points of the tooth (onlays or “partial crowns”).
- Full-coverage crowns – Also known as a “cap,” the dental crown may be made from various metal or ceramic materials and is shaped and applied to cover the prepared natural tooth (the part of the tooth seen above the gum line). We may use crowns for tooth replacement (bridges or implant-supported tooth replacement).
An entire tooth may need to be replaced and rebuilt if the infection persists despite treatment.
Gingival “restoration,” unlike dental restoration, essentially involves those procedures to restore the health of the gums that support, protect, and surround the teeth. Diseased gums may be removed, and tissue can be regenerated.
It is important to note that dental restorations are critical for the health and development of pediatric patients. Even those children who lose their baby teeth prematurely must have that issue addressed because baby teeth serve many vital functions despite their lack of permanency. Let’s get you and yours on a healthy schedule for preventive dentistry today-Call (402) 933-8005 to schedule your appointment at our Omaha office. We proudly serve the needs of individuals and families throughout the area — Elkhorn, Bennington, Arlington, Gretna, Fort Calhoun, and Blair.