Restorative Dentistry
NKC Dental has a team of caring professionals who take the time to listen to your concerns and provide you with the best possible treatment options for your oral health. Reach out today; we love creating beautiful smiles that last a lifetime!
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry in Westwood, KS, is a blanket term for any dental procedure used to repair or replace missing or damaged teeth. Examples of restorative dental procedures include crowns, bridges, dental implants, fillings, and root canals.
What Is the Difference Between Restorative Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry?
The purpose of restorative dentistry is to restore the proper function of your teeth. Whereas the purpose of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of your smile. Examples of cosmetic dentistry include teeth whitening, dental veneers, gum contouring, dental bonding, braces, and more.
The Different Types of Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry covers many dental procedures designed to restore the proper function of your teeth.
Dentures and Partials
Dentures, also called false teeth, are a standard teeth replacement option. They are removable dental appliances made from various materials designed to replace a full arch of teeth or just a few consecutive teeth.
A complete set of dentures replaces both your upper and lower teeth. Partial dentures only replace one or several, but not all, of your teeth.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is sometimes called teeth bonding or composite bonding. Dental bonding is a tooth-colored resin used to fix minor tooth damage such as chips, cracks, discoloration, exposed tooth roots, and even to fix the gaps between teeth.
Dental bonding can also be used as a cosmetic dental procedure to make teeth look longer or change their shape.
Inlays & Onlays
If you have cavities that are too small for a crown and too big for a filling, your dentist in Westwood, KS, might recommend an inlay or onlay. Inlays and onlays are custom treatments that are bonded into place. They are crafted to fit into your natural tooth like the pieces of a puzzle. Inlays are crafted to fill the spaces between the cusps of your teeth. Onlays are crafted to cover one or more tooth cusps.
One Visit Porcelain Crowns
One visit porcelain crowns, also known as same-day crowns, are designed, fitted, and completed in a single dental visit. The dentist will start by numbing your tooth and taking a 3D digital scan of that tooth. The dentist will then use that image to make a 3D model of your tooth and craft the crown. Next, the dentist will send the image of the crown they just crafted to a milling machine. The milling machine will create your new crown on the spot. Once the crown has been created, the dentist will make sure your new crown fits. If it does, it will then be cemented in place.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are extremely thin, custom-made ceramic shells that are placed over the fronts of your teeth. They look just like your natural teeth. Dental veneers are used to fix a range of dental issues, such as damaged enamel, gaps between teeth, and crooked teeth. A small amount of your tooth enamel is removed, and then your new veneers are applied using a dental adhesive.
Porcelain Bridges
A porcelain bridge is a dental appliance that consists of up to five consecutive teeth. It’s designed with a crown on each side of the gap and the false teeth in the middle. The bridge is anchored to your natural teeth using crowns on each side of the gap. Porcelain bridges are strong but not as strong as metal bridges. However, you can have them anchored using dental implants, which will make them just as strong as your natural teeth.
White, Ceramic, and Gold Filings
Several types of fillings are available: white, ceramic, and gold. White fillings, sometimes referred to as composite fillings, are made of a mixture of tooth-colored resin and glass. Most dentists use these.
Ceramic fillings, sometimes called porcelain fillings, are made of tooth-colored ceramic that is made to match your natural teeth. Ceramic fillings are stronger and more durable than white fillings and can last up to 15 years or more.
Gold fillings are made of a combination of metals such as platinum, copper, silver, and gold alloy. Gold fillings are more durable than all other types of fillings and will last for up to 20 years or more. Additionally, gold fillings don’t expand and contract like other fillings. And they are less likely to crack, fracture, or break. However, gold fillings are more expensive than all other types of fillings.
Contact NKC Dental – A Reputable Dentist in Westwood, KS
Please Contact NKC Dental today to schedule an exam to determine if you have any oral issues that need to be addressed. We have a caring team of professionals who take pride in making sure you have a happy, healthy smile now and in the future!
