Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry refers to treatments and procedures designed to make your mouth whole again. If you’re missing a tooth or need a filling, the goal is to bring your mouth back to a state of wholeness. If you’re looking for restorative dentistry in Lexington, VA, Lexington Smiles can provide you with a customized treatment plan.

Bridges

A dental bridge is made from two crowns and an artificial tooth. The crowns are on the side and support the prosthetic in the middle. When the structure is placed in the mouth, it’s cemented to your existing teeth for stability. It’s an alternative to partial dentures, and it’s recommended over dentures because it looks and feels more like a natural tooth.

Crowns

A dental crown will cover a tooth after it’s sustained damage. It’s most commonly placed after a root canal, but plenty of people have crowns without having a root canal. (For instance, if the tooth has sustained enough trauma for it to fracture or break.) The dentist will reshape your tooth so it looks and acts the same as an undamaged tooth. The extra support ensures that you’ll be able to talk, brush, floss, and chew the same way you did before.

Fillings

Cavities are a common diagnosis, and they come in all shapes and sizes. The smaller ones can be filled without much fanfare, while the larger ones may require extra time and attention from the dentist. When you get a filling at Lexington Smiles, you can count on our professionalism and expertise. Safe, tooth-colored materials are used, so you can stave off further oral damage without compromising your appearance.

Root Canals

Root canals may sound scary at first, but they’re one of the most routine procedures you can get at the dentists. If a cavity affects the soft pulp on the interior of the tooth, the dentist will need to clean the pulp out and then fill it with a composite material. This ensures that the tooth won’t be infected and eliminates any pain from the damage.

Implants

Implants will replace a missing tooth and its root system. The root is the key difference between alternatives like bridges or dentures. During an implant, the dentist will place a post inside the jaw and then wait for the bone to attach to the post. Once that’s complete, the dentist will place a permanent crown on top of the root. While the procedure is longer and more detailed than a bridge, it’s the best restorative option if you have a missing tooth.

Dentures

Restorative dentistry treatments ultimately depend on the health of your mouth, teeth, and gums. For instance, if your jaw bone is deteriorating, then you likely wouldn’t be a good candidate for an implant. In that case, dentures can be attached to the gums with an adhesive, so you can speak and chew normally. The right dentist in Lexington, VA can also tell you more about combination treatments (e.g., implants and dentures).

Find a Dentist in Lexington, VA

If you’re looking for a Lexington, VA, dentist who has experience with restorative dentistry, make an appointment with Lexington Smiles. Our staff has seen it all, whether you’re looking for a whole mouth restoration, a single root canal, or a tiny filling.