The Principles of Restorative Dentistry
As the name suggests, restorative dentistry refers to the art of replacing absent or damaged tooth structure to reestablish the proper function of a particular tooth and the mouth. While dental diseases can often be avoided with excellent oral hygiene (or reversed, if detected early), a number of factors can subject your teeth to wear and tear throughout your lifetime, including accidental injury. Some people simply have a genetic predisposition for problems such as tooth decay or weak enamel. Nevertheless, you don’t have to live with dental damage and the reduced functionality that comes with it. Your Atlanta prosthodontist, Dr. Zelby, can help you rebuild your smile to restore its function and beauty using a wide variety of tools and techniques.
Restoring Oral Health and Functionality
If your teeth are damaged by disease, then successful tooth restoration will first require eliminating the infection and ensuring good oral health. If disease isn’t present, then the damage may be the result of an underlying dental condition, such as malocclusion (misaligned teeth and/or jaws), which must first be corrected. If a crooked bite is causing excessive wear on your teeth, then it can also cause damage to your tooth’s restoration if not treated beforehand. A variety of discrete orthodontic options, such as Invisalign® clear braces, can help you regain proper alignment before proceeding. Once Dr. Zelby ensures that your smile’s health and alignment are up to par, the rebuilding process can begin.
Replacing Missing Teeth, Restoring Lost Health
When one or more teeth are damaged severely enough that they can no longer function properly (or at all), your entire oral health can suffer. A straight and full smile is more than aesthetically pleasing; you need all of your teeth present and correctly oriented for your mouth to evenly distribute the pressure of your bite. Replacing lost/useless teeth, then, becomes a matter of vital importance to preserve the integrity of your smile. Your ideal dental prosthetic (i.e., dental crown, partial, or full denture) will depend on the amount of teeth that require replacement. However, securing your replacement to the appropriate number of dental implants can allow you restore your entire tooth’s structure, including the roots.
The Finishing Touches
With equal parts function and beauty, your restorative dental procedure may include one or more cosmetic dental procedures to make your smile as beautiful as it is healthy. Teeth-whitening, dental bonding, and porcelain veneers are but a few of the cosmetic dental options that Dr. Zelby may use to put the finishing touches on your brand new, fully-functioning smile.
Restorative Dentistry for Bright and Healthy Smiles in Atlanta
To learn how restorative dentistry can save your smile from damage or disease, schedule an appointment with your Atlanta prosthodontist by calling (770) 955-0550 today. Dr. Zelby and the expert team at Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta can return your smile to optimal health, function, and beauty. Our Atlanta dentist office proudly serves patients in Marietta, Smyrna, East Cobb, Buckhead, Vinings, and Metro Atlanta.
