Choose Restorative Dentistry To Better Your Oral Health

While you do your best to take of your smile, accidents can happen and so can gum disease. If you have a cavity, a chipped or cracked tooth, or if you are missing a tooth, restorative dentistry could be an option to help restore your oral health. Restorative dentistry can not only help transform your smile and improve your oral health but it can help you speak better and allow you to enjoy your favorite types of foods once again. At Sheppard Family Dental Care in Lawton, OK, our team is ready to help you restore your smile through one of the many restorative dentistry options we offer.

Repairing Tooth Decay or Damage

One of the most common issues with teeth that people have is cavities. Cavities happen when acids and sugars eat away at the enamel, the hard, outer layer of the tooth. Poor dental hygiene habits can contribute to cavities, which is why dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time, as well as flossing at least once a day. However, genetics can be a contributing factor to cavities, making it more challenging to avoid them. 

No matter the reason you have tooth decay, it is important to repair your teeth so that the cavities don’t grow because that can lead to tooth loss. Restorative dentistry can repair cavities, chips, and cracks by using inlays and onlays. Inlays and onlays are restorative dental options custom made to cover the cusp (the raised part of the tooth) or extend beyond the cusp. At Sheppard Family Dental, we use porcelain to mill our custom dental pieces because of its strength and ability to match your natural tooth color.

Replace Missing Teeth

If you are missing a tooth, it is important to get it replaced because when there is a tooth missing, the other teeth in your jaw can shift, affecting the alignment of your teeth, which can prevent you from chewing and speaking properly. Without a tooth in its proper place, the bone in the jaw can also begin to be reabsorbed, creating a sunken-in appearance..

One option for replacing a missing tooth is a dental bridge. A dental bridge is made by using a crown on either side of the missing tooth with a prosthetic tooth (or teeth) filling the gap. The prosthetic tooth can be custom created to perfectly fit the space where the missing tooth was, matching the color of your natural teeth, so it looks just like it has always belonged.

Improve Oral Health

Restorative dentistry can be used to help improve your oral health. One popular restorative dentistry procedure at Sheppard Family Dental Care is periodontal therapy. This therapy is for those who have periodontal disease (gum disease), which is usually indicated by inflamed and red gums, gum recession, loose teeth, and persistent bad breath.

At Sheppard Family Dental Care, we use a Biolase water laser. This specialty tool helps promote gum tissue growth and fight off bacteria. Best of all there is little to no discomfort to the patient.

Enhance Your Smile

If you are looking to brighten your smile, you can enhance it by using a professional tooth whitening treatment. Sheppard Family Dental Care offers a take-home tooth whitening kit that allows you to brighten your smile on your own time. We provide you with custom fitted trays and a whitening solution. All you need to do is wear the trays at your convenience, and you can see results in about a week.

Prevent Future Dental Issues

Another reason you might be considering restorative dentistry is to prevent future dental issues. If dental issues aren’t taken care of as soon as they are found, they can become more complex dental issues down the track. By leaving dental issues until they progress into bigger problems, you can be faced with more complex—and more costly—treatments to repair the damage.

One way to help prevent oral health issues is by having biannual dental evaluations at Sheppard Family Dental Care. This allows our team to perform an in-depth evaluation and monitor any dental issues you may have.

Alleviate Pain and Discomfort

If you are suffering from pain and discomfort in your mouth, there may be a hidden issue that your dentist can help resolve with a restorative dental treatment. One of the major issues that people have is cavities, which, when left untreated, can cause tooth sensitivity or, worse, persistent pain. A dental filling or a dental inlay or onlay could be the relief you are looking for.

Visit Sheppard Family Dental Care

If you are looking to improve your dental health through a restorative dentistry procedure, give the team at Sheppard Family Dental Care a call. We can meet with you for a consultation and come up with a solution for your smile. We pride ourselves on offering a supportive and judgment-free zone so you can get back to enjoying a healthy and happy smile.