Maintaining good oral health and hygiene is essential for your overall health and well-being. However, even with the best oral hygiene practices, it is still possible for dental problems to occur. This is where restorative dentistry comes into play. A restoration dentist can repair dental damage and replace missing teeth to improve your oral health and appearance.
Lakewood Dental Group is home to two of the most trusted restoration dentists in Dallas, TX. If you need help repairing or replacing teeth, then contact Drs. Mihir Patel and Shaun Sigurdson today. Patients can reach our team Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (214) 827-1885 to request appointments and information.
Even if you’re not living with tooth loss and obvious dental damage, you may still benefit from a trip to a restoration dentist in Dallas, TX. In this blog, we discuss when a patient should visit a restoration dentist.
Visit a Restoration Dentist for Dental Decay
Cavities are areas of active dental decay on a tooth. Dental decay can present anywhere on a tooth, including below the gum line.
Typically, a cavity starts out as a small spot of decay. But, if it is left untreated, then a small cavity can develop into a deeper, wider, more troublesome cavity.
Furthermore, an untreated cavity can spread to surrounding teeth. And, in fact, some research indicates that untreated cavities are contagious. This means that you may be placing your loved ones at risk if you’re swapping saliva with an untreated cavity in your mouth.
A restoration dentist may recommend simple treatments (like a dental filling or tooth crown) for smaller cavities. However, larger cavities may require more aggressive treatment (like a root canal or other treatment) to save the tooth.
If you notice any brown, yellow, or white spots on your teeth accompanied by tooth sensitivity, then contact a restoration dentist immediately. Swift treatment could preserve your health and smile.
Restore Broken or Cracked Teeth
If you have a cracked or otherwise broken tooth, it’s crucial to see a restoration dentist as quickly as possible. Failing to quickly address dental damage may be dangerous, as a broken tooth may be very sharp. Jagged, broken teeth pose a serious risk of injury, as they may cut or damage the soft tissues of the mouth.
If the soft tissues of the mouth succumb to injuries, then it can lead to pain, inflammation, and infections. Furthermore, a broken or cracked tooth is entirely vulnerable to harmful, infection-causing microbes. These issues can cause significant problems down the road, ultimately leading to invasive, costly, and entirely preventable treatments.
A restoration dentist can seamlessly repair a damaged tooth. So, not only can they restore a tooth’s appearance and function, but they can help prevent bothersome dental issues in the future, too.
Replace Missing Teeth
We can lose our permanent teeth for a number of reasons, including:
- Dental decay
- Gum disease
- Accidental injury
- Systemic health conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, and malnutrition
- Certain medications, like antihistamines, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications
But, no matter how it happens, tooth loss deserves to be addressed with a trusted restoration dentist. Otherwise, untreated tooth loss may result in:
- Continued tooth loss
- Worsening gum disease
- Jaw bone degeneration
Depending on the type and extent of your tooth loss, a restorative dental professional may recommend personalized tooth-replacement options, such as:
- Dental implants
- Dental bridges
- Partial dentures
- Full dentures
We recommend replacing missing teeth sooner rather than later to prevent a myriad of oral and systemic health issues.
Address Advancing Gum Disease
A restoration dentist can do much more than repair and replace missing teeth – they can treat gum disease, too.
Gum disease starts out as a minor infection in the gum tissue. This minor infection has a name – gingivitis.
Ordinarily, patients can easily reverse gingivitis with the help of a general dentist. However, untreated gingivitis can quickly develop into irreversible periodontitis. And, if periodontitis is left unaddressed for too long, then it can lead to permanent tooth loss.
Therefore, it is important to seek treatment with a restorative dentist in Dallas as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the disease, treatment may involve deep cleaning, medication, and/or gum surgery.
Treat Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder
The temporomandibular joint is all too important to our oral health and function. This hinge joint is located on either side of our heads, roundabout where our ears meet our faces. Its primary function is to open and close our jaws, which allows us to:
- Bite
- Chew
- Yawn
- Laugh
- Speak
Because we so frequently use these hinge joints, they are often subject to abuse, overuse, and injury. When this happens, it can lead to significant pain and dysfunction. As a result, one’s quality of life can take a serious hit.
A restoration dentist in Dallas, TX, can help you manage the condition. Treatment options may involve medication, therapy, surgery, or a combination thereof (depending on the severity of the condition).
Manage Malocclusions With a Restoration Dentist
A malocclusion (or bite issue) can make eating, speaking, and, indeed, living much more difficult for patients. Examples of malocclusions include:
- Crooked teeth
- Overbites
- Crossbites
- Underbites
- Open bites
Managing malocclusions with an affordable restoration dentist in Dallas can help you prevent oral health issues, like dental damage and joint dysfunction. Treatment options may include:
- Dental braces
- Invisalign® or other clear aligners
- Dental bonding
- Tooth extractions
- Jaw surgery
Stubborn Dental Stains
Even though it may not seem like it, a restoration dentist can help you address stubborn stains that develop on the insides of teeth. They can accomplish this not with teeth whitening, but with dental bonding and dental veneers. This means that a restorative dentist may be the best way to restore your smile back to its original grandeur.
Affordable Restoration Dentist in Dallas, TX
As you can see, there are plenty of times when patients should consult a restoration dentist. If you think that you might benefit from restorative treatments, then contact Lakewood Dental Group today. Patients can reach our Dallas restorative dentists at (214) 827-1885 or online here anytime.
