Dental issues can become more severe and costly the longer you leave them untreated.
By examining your teeth, your dentist can assess the extent of your dental issue and whether or not you will need restorative treatment. X-rays may be taken to ensure proper diagnosis.
After your dentist has diagnosed the dental issue, you will be provided with a tailored treatment plan to restore your smile to its natural beauty and function.
No treatment plan is one-size-fits all. Most dental issues have multiple treatment options. Dentures, dental bridges, and dental implants can all restore and replace missing teeth. Your dentist will walk you through each option to help you choose what’s best for your lifestyle, budget, and needs.
For patients undergoing restorative procedures, we offer sedation to keep them more comfortable and relaxed during treatment. Available sedation options will be discussed to see what’s best for you.
In cases like emergencies, you’ll need to receive care as soon as possible, if not the same day. If you are facing a non-urgent issue, your follow-up appointment will be after your initial visit. We’ll schedule your treatment for a day and time that works for you before you leave your appointment.
The best way to treat and fill cavities in decayed teeth are with dental fillings. Using a drill, your dentist will remove damage and decay within your enamel. They’ll follow with a tooth-colored dental resin or metal amalgam to restore the shape and structure of your tooth. If you have a cavity, timely intervention with a filling is essential. You could require a dental crown and/or root canal therapy if your cavity is left untreated for too long.
Created by a dental technician at an outside dental lab, lab-made crowns restore damaged teeth by covering the entire tooth down to the gum line. First, your dentist will trim your tooth to remove damaged material. They’ll then shape it into a strong, sturdy platform to which the crown will eventually be attached.
Following the affixment, impressions are taken of the tooth using dental trays and putty or a digital intraoral scanner. These casts are then shipped to the dental lab where your crown will be made out of a high-quality ceramic or porcelain material.
After your tooth has been prepared and impressions have been taken, you will receive a temporary crown during your first appointment. Once your dental crown is complete, you’ll stop by for your second appointment so that your dentist can permanently attach the new crown to your tooth.
A dental bridge uses two dental crowns to suspend a pontic, or false tooth, in the gap where a natural tooth has been lost. A metal appliance is often placed to attach the false tooth to the crowns. A dental bridge can prevent your other teeth from shifting over time and last for years.
The best way to treat an infected tooth is through root canal therapy. When the vulnerable pulp inside the tooth and root canals is exposed to oral bacteria, teeth become infected. This can happen if you accidentally crack your tooth or if you experience severe tooth decay.
To begin the procedure, your dentist will clean your teeth and numb your mouth. By drilling a hole in the enamel, your dentist can access and remove any decayed material from the interior of your tooth all the way down to the roots. After your roots are thoroughly cleaned, they will be filled with an inert material to maintain the structure and integrity of the tooth. You’ll be given either a dental filling or a dental crown that will protect and restore your tooth to complete the procedure.
To replace one or multiple missing teeth, partial dentures use false teeth and a metal and plastic framework that clip directly onto your remaining healthy teeth. This appliance can restore your smile, your bite, and your self-confidence. They are a convenient and affordable way to get your smile back, and typically don’t take too long to create.
Full dentures are used to replace the upper arch, lower arch, or both arches of your teeth and fit snugly on the gums. This restorative appliance is a strong option if you struggle with more serious dental health issues or have lost most or all of your natural teeth. You must have all remaining teeth extracted in order to have a full set of dentures fitted.
3 million Americans wear dental implants to replace missing teeth.
Restorative dentistry can restore the form and function of damaged and missing teeth. Untreated cavities, severe decay, and gum disease can cause tooth damage and loss. Issues can also happen due to an oral trauma accident, like a sports injury or a slip and fall.
By following through with a necessary restorative dental treatment, patients can avoid future complications and more costly treatment options. More serious dental issues can progress if damaged or missing teeth are left untreated. By getting the care you need right away, you can save time and money in the long run. You’ll also enjoy lasting relief from pain and discomfort, all while regaining your natural functionality. Plus, restorative dental treatment significantly improves the appearance of your smile. You can have a pleasing, natural grin and a boost of confidence by restoring your missing or damaged teeth.
If you are experiencing any dental health issue that causes serious pain, oral discomfort, or bleeding, you may require emergency restorative treatment at our dental office in La Mirada. Damaged or broken teeth, severe and prolonged toothaches, and pulled-out or lost dental work all constitute for dental emergencies. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so contact your dentist to get emergency treatment right away.
Most insurances will cover restorative treatment, but the extent of your coverage will vary depending on your insurer. For example, your dental insurance provider may cover dental crowns and bridges, but may not offer coverage for dental implants. We suggest getting in contact with your insurance provider to fully understand your coverage.
About a quarter of American adults are missing all teeth. With restorative care options, tooth loss can be prevented.
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