Restorative Dentistry
Skokie, IL
 Coming in for regular check ups is vital if you want to maintain good oral health and keep your bright smile intact. If you fail to take good care of your teeth and don't come in for regular check ups, you can suffer from various oral conditions that affect your smile and oral health. You can also sustain injuries to your teeth that could affect your confidence. Sustaining extended damage needs more than the usual cleaning procedures. Instead, restorative dentistry is required to help restore your oral health and natural smile. Our team at Chicago Dental Esthetics are ready and equipped to perform a restorative procedure on your dental cavity and fix the damages.
If you are suffering from advanced tooth decay and cavities, a dental filling is an ideal restorative treatment. Fillings will help restore the functionality and structure of your teeth. Before placing a dental filling, we will first remove the decayed tooth material by thoroughly cleaning the affected area. Then, we will fill it with a dental filling that restores its shape. You will be able to chew and speak properly because the spaces and gaps in your tooth are closed off. This also prevents the spread of dental cavities that could affect your oral health. Dental fillings can be made from a wide range of materials depending on their purpose. We will recommend a specific type of dental filling after assessing your teeth and determining the best treatment. The wide range of options to choose from allows dental fillings to be able to address different cavity problems irrespective of their location.
If you have a damaged tooth, it could be vulnerable to more damage that leaves it in worse condition. A common sign of damaged teeth is sharp sensitivity when you drink hot or cold beverages. This is often the case because the enamel, the outer layer of your tooth, is damaged. The enamel can be worn down by acidic substances, which cause the exposure of underlying tissues. This increases the risk of infections as the protective layer is weakened. We apply a dental crown over your damaged tooth to keep the underlying tissues secure. There are different types of dental crowns; some of them include ceramic, metal, or porcelain crowns. The material used to make the dental crown depends on the location of the damage. It also depends on the existing gum line and the size of the remaining healthy tooth. Our experts will examine your tooth and recommend the right dental crown type. It takes a relatively short time to place a dental crown in your mouth. During the procedure, we fill up the damaged tooth so that there is a solid base for dental crown placement. In most cases, we will place a temporary crown first before the permanent one is ready. You can also get a permanent dental crown on your first visit, depending on your condition.
Dental bridges are a common dental restoration treatment. A dental bridge is an artificial tooth, often referred to as pontic, fixed in place of the missing teeth and held by two dental crowns on each side. The two dental crowns holding it in position are then attached to implants or existing teeth. A dental bridge can be made from porcelain, alloys, gold, or a combination of both. The dental bridge is then anchored onto an implant or teeth abutment. Dental bridges are an excellent replacement if you have lost a few teeth. This is especially the case when there are natural teeth surrounding the missing teeth. What makes dental bridges an ideal teeth replacement option is that they last for many years. However, you must take good care of them just like you care for your natural teeth.
Dental implants are arguably the most popular teeth replacement method. Dental implants are the anchor for a future crown, providing the anchorage needed to keep it in position. Once the crown is placed, dental implants are hardly noticeable and quite comfortable to use. This is because dental implants act as the root of the artificial tooth, with the crown providing the shape and color of a natural tooth. Dental implants feel, look, and function like your natural teeth. They come with a titanium base that goes into your tooth socket. Once the implant is placed in your jaw, we give it time to fuse with the jawbone. This can take between three to six months. Once the implant is ready, our experts will place a dental crown to complete the procedure.
In order to have a dental implant placed, the area has to have sufficient bone width. For patients without sufficient bone, a bone graft procedure can be completed.
Dentures are a set of prosthetic teeth. They can be a partial or full set of teeth, depending on your needs. Dentures come with a soft tissue structure to make them snug and comfortable. These oral devices have become more durable because they are made from tougher materials. You can also get some in plastic or metallic materials.
There are two types of tooth extractions: simple and surgical. We perform a simple extraction on a tooth that has already erupted above the gumline. We perform a surgical extraction on a tooth that has become impacted, or has yet to erupt, such as wisdom teeth. Extraction may be necessary to prevent the spread of infection and other complications.
Wisdom teeth typically erupt much later than other permanent teeth, which can cause problems for your oral health. At Chicago Dental Esthetics, we provide wisdom teeth extractions to prevent or alleviate these potential problems. Find out if you need your wisdom teeth removed. The extraction of impacted wisdom teeth typically takes place during a single appointment.
Read about recovery from wisdom teeth removal.
When your tooth has succumbed to internal tooth decay, a root canal procedure will help fix it. Teeth with cracks or cavities are more likely to have bacteria that cause a risk of infections. When bacteria accumulates on your teeth, it starts chewing away the soft pulp of the tooth and results in severe setbacks. Some of the common symptoms of this condition include inflammation around the gums, extreme discomfort, and sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. A root canal procedure will help treat this condition and prevent its advancement. In severe cases, bone grafting may be required.
Inlays and onlays are ideal for areas of decay too large for a filling, but not large enough to require the placement of a dental crown. The restoration is considered an inlay if it is placed within the occlusal (bite) surface of a tooth. The restoration is considered an onlay if it extends beyond one or more of the occlusal cusps.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
As the name suggests, restorative dentistry is the branch of dentistry that focuses on restoring decayed or damaged teeth. In most cases, restorative dentistry involves procedures like dental crowns, tooth extractions, dental implants, wisdom teeth extractions, and dental bridges, among others. It is crucial to know that restorative dentistry not only restores the function and appearance of your damaged teeth but also prevents further damage from occurring. Thanks to restorative dentistry, you will have a healthy, beautiful smile that restores your confidence. You don't have to worry about oral damage that might cause tooth loss. We may perform a dental restoration procedure to restore the functionality of missing, weakened, or damaged teeth. There are many other reasons you might need restorative dentistry. Some of the reasons we may recommend a restoration treatment include the following:
Tooth Decay
If tooth decay is left untreated, it can cause severe consequences. Restorative dentistry is often the go-to option when tooth decay gets out of control. We use dental fillings to treat cases of enamel erosion that are caused by advanced tooth decay. This condition occurs when acidic substances damage the outer shell of your tooth (enamel). Given that the enamel protects the underlying tissues, its unavailability exposes the inner layer of your tooth called the dentin. Once this happens, you will suffer from cavities that later become decayed. A cavity can cause severe infection, great discomfort, or even tooth loss if you don't treat it on time. This is why we advise you to come to our offices immediately if you notice signs of tooth cavities. We use dental fillings to treat some cases of tooth decay. Depending on its function, a dental filling can be made of silver amalgam, gold, or composite resin. Remember that severely decayed teeth will need advanced treatment options like dental crowns.
Damaged Tooth Structure
People with severely damaged tooth structures must consider restorative dentistry. Examples of teeth with damaged structures are those that are worn down, cracked, or loose due to excessive pressure. If you have any of these issues, our experts will perform a dental restoration treatment that covers your tooth's damaged or weakened parts. This helps restore its structure and make it stronger. Some of the dental treatments we use for this purpose include inlays and onlays, crowns, and bonding. They will restore the structure of your tooth and make it functional again.
Missing Teeth
The availability of all your teeth is crucial for a natural smile. Whether you have lost your teeth in an accident or through tooth extractions, tooth replacement is vital. Those with one or more missing teeth can choose teeth replacement options like dental implants or dentures. Replacing missing teeth is vital as it helps improve your aesthetics and restores your mouth functionality. You will be able to chew and speak better with all of your teeth available.
Dental Stains and Chips
While most dental restoration treatments often aim to fix your oral health, some of them focus on cosmetic benefits. If you have stained teeth due to habits like smoking or poor oral hygiene, dental restorative treatments like veneers will be of great help. This option is also helpful for those with minor cracks and chips in their teeth.
Schedule an Appointment
If you are not confident with your smile due to conditions like tooth decay, missing teeth, or dental stains, a dental restoration treatment will be of great help. Our experts at Chicago Dental Esthetics are ready to help restore your smile by performing restorative dentistry procedures. Call (224) 341-5162 today to schedule your appointment. |
