95% of Americans agree that oral health is important for their overall well-being.
And they are spot on.
Your mouth is central to all interactions. Smiling with crooked teeth or talking with bad breath makes people more conscious of themselves.
This can lead to low self-esteem and social withdrawal, both of which lead to larger problems.
Cosmetic and restorative dentistry address most of these issues. And while some treatments overlap, some are distinct to either practice.
Here is a look at what each entails.
Restorative Dentistry
Teeth restoration treatments seek to restore full functioning teeth. Restorative dentistry also addresses structural problems such a missing tooth or damaged teeth.
This is more science than art.
Here are some basic restorative treatments handled by restorative dentists:
Porcelain Crowns
These are tooth-shaped caps that are placed over an existing tooth to restore its size, shape or to hold a bridge in place. A porcelain crown is ideal when a tooth is broken, decayed or extremely discolored.
Filings
Filings are made of gold, silver amalgam, or plastic material called composite resin. These are prepared and placed in a clean cavity then hardened to restore the structure and function of the tooth.
Inlays and Onlays
These are similar to filings but created from dental impressions. The material can be gold, porcelain or a resin composite. The molded inlay is then placed and cemented into place.
Bite Adjustment
This is treatment done on teeth that do not properly come together, thus affecting the bite. This defect is called malocclusion.
This occurs after an accident, or due to normal wear and tear over time. At times, they are caused after dental treatments like the insertion of a bridge, crown or fillings.
What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry deals with fixing the appearance of teeth and smile. It seeks to restore both function and aesthetics. The following are some common procedures here.
Whitening
Whitening is also referred to as bleaching. It aims at brightening the teeth by removing stains and discoloration.
Bonding
Here, tooth-colored material on bonded on the teeth. This is for badly stained or broken teeth.
Tooth Reshaping
This is also known as enamel shaping. A dentist reshapes a tooth by filing away or removing part of its enamel.
Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment
Buck teeth or crooked teeth in both kids and adults can benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Cosmetic Dental Implants
These are metallic devices designed to replace missing teeth. They are made of titanium and are meant to serve as a root upon which artificial teeth, bridge and denture.
Cosmetic Dental Veneers
These are used to treat crooked, chipped or discolored teeth. At times they are used to close gaps between teeth.
Veneers are made of thin composite or porcelain material and are cemented on the front side of the teeth.
Restorative vs Cosmetic Dentistry
There are some common treatments across both specialties such as crowns and veneers. However, restorative and cosmetic dentistry are different. Here are some distinctions.
1. Cosmetic dentistry is completely concerned with aesthetics while restorative dentistry is concerned with fixing function and structure.
2. Dentistry is based on science. However, cosmetic dentistry uses more art, while restorative dentistry uses more science.
3. Cosmetic dentistry procedures tend to be pricier than restorative procedures. This could be partly because they are considered to be non-medical problems.
Do Not Be Held Back
A simple dental procedure can be a breath of fresh air in your life. Thanks to modern dental interventions, you can enjoy a more fulfilling life.
Are you being held back by dental problems?
Shallowford Family Dental Group offers high-quality cosmetic and restorative dentistry services for the whole family. Contact us today for more information.