8117 Preston Road, Suite 170 | Preston Commons West | Dallas, TX 75225
214-369-9000

Restorative Dentistry

Patients’ teeth may be damaged by any number of factors, from wear and tear to facial trauma to oral diseases. Fortunately, this damage can often be addressed through restorative dentistry. Different types of dental restorations will be suitable in different scenarios, so it’s important to schedule an initial evaluation in which Dr. Steel can assess your case and determine which interventions will best meet your needs.

If you have suffered damage to your teeth or tooth loss and are interested in your restorative dentistry options, contact our office to schedule a consultation.

When is Restorative Dentistry Used?

Restorative dentistry is typically used to repair teeth that have been damaged as a result of issues such as facial injuries or tooth decay. It may also be used to replace teeth that are so extensively damaged that they cannot be saved.

Patients who have experienced the following conditions or concerns, among others, may need to explore restorative dentistry options:

  • Cavities
  • Gum disease
  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Avulsed (knocked out) teeth
  • Congenital defects
  • Sports-related injuries
  • Falls

By ensuring that the smile is complete and the teeth are in good condition, restorative dentistry improves the smile’s appearance and functionality.

Types Of Dental Restorations

A number of different dental restorations can be used, depending on the patient’s needs. The most common ones are:

Tooth colored fillings

Small amounts of composite resin material are inserted into the space left behind after decayed tooth material is removed.

Dental crowns

Tooth-shaped caps made of metal, ceramics or porcelain fused with metal that are placed on top a biological tooth that has been affected by a large cavity or injury.

Dental bridges

Tooth replacement consisting of a single pontic (prosthetic crown) or multiple pontics held in place by crowns secured to the teeth adjacent to the gap.

Dentures

Prosthetic appliances that can be used to replace a sizable number of missing teeth, up to an entire arch.

Dental implants

Small titanium cylinders that are inserted into a patient’s jaw and become fixtures in the smile as the surrounding bone tissue fuses with them; Can be used to support a single crown, dental bridge or denture.

If you have some remaining biological teeth and some missing teeth that need to be replaced, Dr. Steel may use a combination of these interventions in your case.

Developing A Restorative Dentistry Treatment Plan

The process of restoring your smile begins at your initial consultation. Dr. Steel will examine your smile and discuss your treatment goals with you. She may also need to take x-rays or dental impressions in order to plan effectively for treatment.

After collecting all of the pertinent information about your case, Dr. Steel will decide on the intervention that best meets your needs. She will begin to work on the design of the restoration and determine the timing for each step in the process.

Dr. Steel is conscientious about educating her patients on the entire treatment process so that you will know what to expect. She will be happy to answer any questions you may have about any aspect of the process.

Common Restorative Dentistry Questions

What is restorative dentistry?

Restorative dentistry is the dental specialty that focuses on repairing damaged teeth and/or replacing missing ones to give the patient a complete, structurally sound smile. Patients may need to receive restorative dentistry treatments if they have experienced oral diseases, facial injuries or congenital defects affecting their smiles.

What are my restorative dental treatment options?

A number of restorations may be used in this dental specialty, including fillings, dental crowns, dental bridges, dentures or dental implants. Some of those – specifically fillings and dental crowns – are used on teeth that are salvageable, while the others are intended to replace teeth that have been lost or extracted.

How many teeth can be replaced with dental implants?

As long as the patient has sufficient bone to support dental implant placement, any number of teeth can be replaced by dental implants, up to an entire arch. A crown, dental bridge or denture can be secured using dental implants. After your evaluation, Dr. Steel can tell you if you are a good candidate for dental implants.

What is considered minor restorative dental work?

Minor restorative dental work is done on teeth that have been minimally affected by decay or some other factor. Restorations such as fillings, onlays and inlays would be considered as minor. In the case of fillings, the treatment is actually provided in a single appointment that is completed in about an hour.