Types of Dental Restorations

types of dental restorations - Lexington dentist

Types of Dental Restorations 

Types of Dental Restorations 

Dental restorations have become increasingly popular. The most simple concept of a restoration is the return of something in its lost state. Dental work is no exception. In some cases, your dentist in Lexington, KY, may recommend that you restore your tooth’s original function. In this article, Dr. Jinyoung Kim discusses the types of dental restorations that you may get at our dental office.

Most Popular Dental Restorations 

There are several different types of dental restorations, ranging from material to price. Filling a cavity caused by tooth decay, for example, is a quick dental restoration technique. Placing dental implants in areas where teeth are missing can be a more complicated and pricy restoration. The good news is that as technology advances, dental restorations have stronger, more practical outcomes that will change your life for the long term. Here, we discuss the types of dental restorations patients in Lexington, KY, can choose from.

Dental Implants

If there ever comes a time where you are without a tooth, Dr. Kim will likely recommend dental implants. Implants are false teeth that work and look just like natural teeth. They are anchored down into the jaw bone and topped off with a dental crown. They are an excellent alternative to dentures and are a permanent solution to missing teeth. However, dental implants aren’t for everyone. You must have a good bone structure to support the dental implant. Ask Dr. Kim if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. 

Inlays & Onlays

Inlays are a great alternative to silver and composite fillings. A custom-made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain is known as an inlay repair. Broken or fractured teeth, decayed teeth, or fractured fillings are all reasons you may need an inlay repair. Onlay dental restorations are suitable for teeth that have wide, deep cavities. An onlay can also be referred to as a partial crown. They are made up of custom-made fillings and are designed to restore teeth in a more conservative manner.

White Fillings

Composite fillings are similar to traditional fillings in that they are engineered to withstand stress and resistance and to last. In reality, many composite fillings have a lifespan of more than ten years. Composite fillings are often tooth-colored, making them the more aesthetically pleasing choice.

Dental Crowns

Crowns are used to cover a tooth or a dental implant. They are typically used when a tooth has extensive decay and cannot be restored with a traditional dental filling. Crowns are usually cemented to the tooth and are designed to look just like natural teeth. Our friend, Dr. Josh Eastham, a dentist in Grand Junction, CO, says that dental crowns are on the more popular side of dental restorations to choose from. They’re affordable and effective.

Dentures

Dentures may be used as an alternative to dental implants. Furthermore, dentures may be removed from the mouth, unlike dental implants. Dentures today are made to look and feel as natural as possible. They’re much more affordable than dental implants but do have to be replaced eventually.

Dental Bridges

Fixed bridges are usually made up of two or more dental crowns that are used to fill the gap between two or more teeth. Bridges may be reinforced by either natural or artificial teeth, such as implants. This type of dental restoration is minimal but cost-effective. 

Root Canal Therapy

Root canals are typically done on infected teeth. They’re known as the last-chance option, where the dentist removes the infected pulp in hopes of saving your natural tooth from further damage. If the tooth is too far damaged, then tooth extraction will be needed.  

Find a Lexington Dentist 

As you can see, there are many restorative dentistry options. Park Hills Family Dentistry has been helping restore the smiles of residence of Lexington, KY, for years. Contact us today to find out which dental restoration is best for your smile. We look forward to hearing from you!

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

Do I Need a Root Canal - Lexington KY

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy? 

Do I Need Root Canal Therapy?

A root canal is a procedure used to save a patient’s natural tooth when there are no other options other than an extraction. When a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, a root canal is the last resort. This is the process of completely cleaning the infected tooth and decay all the way down to the tooth’s root. Here, Dr. Kim helps us celebrate Root Canal Awareness Week! Read below to discover how this procedure works and ask yourself, “Do I need root canal therapy?” 

101 On Tooth Decay

You may be familiar with the term cavities. Many patients experience cavities at some point in their life. When you eat, some bacteria in your mouth begin to break down your food for digestion. Plaque is formed when bacteria in your mouth are combined with sugar in your food. Plaque is a sticky, clear substance that forms on the surface of your teeth. Because plaque is acidic, it erodes tooth enamel over time when it sits on your teeth. The teeth are extremely tough, but they will eventually wear away over time. 

Root Canal Therapy

The American Dental Association suggests visiting your dental office at least twice a year for comprehensive exams and cleanings. If you do this, we will detect decay when it is very small and will not cause internal infections. However, severe tooth decay must be removed completely, or you will lose your entire tooth. That’s when we’d perform a root canal procedure. 

Do You Have Any of These Symptoms?

When a tooth requires a root canal, there are some signs and symptoms to look out for. Take note if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Sharp pains or tooth sensitivity 
  • Consistent throbbing or burning pain in a tooth or other area of your mouth
  • Swelling and tenderness in the surrounding gums
  • A tooth abscess or discoloration
  • Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages

These are all symptoms of tooth decay. When decay is not the issue, you are most likely dealing with an infected tooth. In either case, you may require a root canal. Root canal therapy is required when:

  • Deep cavities pierce the pulp, resulting in bacterial infections of exposed pulp.
  • Internal tooth injuries exist that are not visible on the surface.
  • Cracks, major chips, and other breaks can occur in the tooth structure.

How Root Canal Therapy Works

In the case of cavities, the decayed area is removed and filled with composite material. However, to avoid a dead tooth, the infected tooth structure must be cleared out. When the pulp (the center nerve part of the tooth) becomes infected or is exposed due to injury, patients will undoubtedly require a root canal. Bacteria can enter and destroy the rest of the tooth, and infection can spread to your bloodstream, causing severe illness. That is why you should never ignore tooth pain, says Dr. Kim.

During root canal therapy, Dr. Kim will use dental tools to open up the top of your tooth during your procedure. Dr. Kim will then work meticulously to remove all decayed and infected parts of your tooth. This is the time-consuming part because she has to clean all the way down to the tooth’s roots. If an infection is not removed, the tooth will continue to decay. Our friends at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, a dentist in Colorado Springs, point out that an untreated tooth will eventually die. Small root canal brushes can be used to remove decay from small tooth roots. Then, the entire tooth is then filled with composite material to preserve the tooth’s structure, and the top is sealed off. A root canal removes everything from the tooth except the healthy pulp that remains.

Restorative Dentistry

Root canal therapy is usually the last option dental professionals will consider before extracting a tooth. If you choose a root canal procedure, you can keep a tooth healthy for many years and keep your natural tooth. It is less expensive for you than having a tooth extracted and receiving a dental implant and dental crown. In many cases, a root canal saves your tooth and allows you to heal within a few days. If you are experiencing tooth pain or require a dental exam, please contact Park Hills Family Dentistry.