Lifelike Tooth Repair With Restorative Dentistry

What should you do when you chip or crack a tooth, or what if a tooth hurts due to tooth decay? In these situations, you need treatment to protect your smile from major complications, such as infection or even tooth loss. We can help! In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist talks about helping smiles with restorative dentistry.

When to Seek Restorative Treatment

As we mentioned above, if you damage a tooth, you should see us right away for restorative dentistry, as the damaged tooth exposes sensitive inner structures and increases the risk of tooth decay and infection. Speaking of, if you have a tooth that feels sensitive when you eat or drink, or begins to hurt, then you should let us know right away. Often, persistent pain that lasts for more than a day or two is a sign of tooth decay or an infection, and treatment is needed to address the issue and prevent tooth loss. If you attend your checkups every six months, then we can likely catch many of these issues in the early stages, treating them before you even experience discomfort.

Dental Emergencies

When you have a dental emergency, which involves chipped, cracked, broken, or knocked-out teeth, you need restorative dentistry. The same applies if you have a filling or crown that is loose or missing, or a prosthetic that is damaged. You can call our team outside of normal business hours, as injuries rarely occur during convenient times. We will call you back with a time to see us and receive treatment. In the meantime, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, stem any bleeding with cloth or gauze, and use a cold compress to control facial swelling.

Planning Your Treatment

The restorative dentistry process starts with an exam. We want to take a close look at your tooth with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, so we can assess the cause and extent of the damage. This then allows us to plan treatment with precision and accuracy.

Anesthesia and Sedation

We know that placing a restoration or conducting a root canal or tooth extraction could be a source of anxiety, especially if you have a fear of the dentist or special needs. Our team will never minimize your anxiety, and will instead take time to help you feel relaxed and comfortable. We can also ensure your comfort by administering a local anesthetic to the area to numb it. With dental sedation, our team can help you enter a deep state of calm and relaxation, with little to no memory of the procedure at all. We want your experience to be a positive one!

Dental Fillings

If you have a cavity, we can help with a dental filling. The restoration is made from a metal-free material known as composite resin, which we can shade to blend with your smile. The placement process takes only one visit, and helps prevent the tooth from being infected. To begin, we will numb the tooth so you don’t feel discomfort as we remove decay from the tooth and clean it thoroughly. We then apply the shaded composite resin to the tooth in several layers. As these layers are sculpted and molded, we will cure the composite resin under a light. The last step is to polish the tooth to ensure a brighter appearance!

Custom Crowns

Restorative dentistry can also take on issues too severe for a simple filling. With a crown, our team can create a full restoration that covers the entire visible portion of your tooth. We will likely craft them from materials like ceramic or zirconia, which are durable and can be shaded to blend with the rest of your teeth. The placement process involves numbing the tooth so we can comfortably remove structure and make room for your crown. Next, we will take detailed images and measurements, which we use in a lab setting to design and craft your crown. We then attach the finished restoration with a powerful bonding agent. Your new restoration can stay bright and remain in place for years to come.

Root Canal Therapy

What if a tooth has become infected? You need treatment to avoid tooth loss or the tooth requiring extraction to prevent the spread of infection to other parts of your smile. With a root canal, we can halt discomfort and save the tooth. To begin, we once again administer a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable so we can comfortably open the tooth and remove the tissues from within. We then clean the interior of your tooth and add a special restorative filling material. The last step is to cap the tooth with a dental crown, so you have results that look natural and safeguard the tooth for years to come.

Tooth Extractions

What if the decay or infection is too severe to be treated with a filling, crown, or root canal? What if you have issues like wisdom teeth soon-to-erupt, or if we need to make room for orthodontic treatment? In these situations, we may need to remove the tooth in question. This could also be used to make room for your new dentures! Our team will plan the procedure in detail with digital imaging and then take steps to ensure your comfort before we extract the tooth or teeth with a pair of forceps. For some, the procedure could take as little as a half hour. We then provide detailed aftercare instructions and prescriptions, and you may return to your normal routine in about 24 to 48 hours on average.

If you have any questions about our approach to restorative dentistry, or if you have a damaged or aching tooth that needs attention, then contact our team today to get started and schedule a consultation.

Do You Have Any Questions About Restorative Dentistry?

The team at Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX, can help restore your smile with custom and durable treatment options. To schedule an appointment with our team, call us today at 972-262-5111.