What Restorative Dentistry Actually Restores
Restorative treatments rebuild tooth structure that’s been lost to decay, injury, or wear. Unlike cosmetic work that focuses primarily on appearance, these procedures address functional problems that affect your ability to chew properly, maintain proper bite alignment, and keep remaining teeth healthy. Dr. Stevenson, Dr. Klure, and Dr. Hulbert evaluate not just the damaged tooth but how restoring it will affect your overall oral health.
The goal extends beyond fixing what’s broken today. Your dental team considers how restored teeth will hold up under daily use, whether surrounding teeth need support, and what preventive measures will protect your investment. They’re thinking about your mouth as an interconnected system where one failing tooth can trigger problems throughout your bite.
Common Restorative Treatments and When You Need Them
Fillings Stop Decay Before It Spreads
Cavities happen when bacteria create acid that eats through tooth enamel, and they don’t heal on their own. Modern fillings use tooth-colored composite resin that bonds directly to your tooth structure, providing both strength and natural appearance. The process involves removing decayed material, disinfecting the area, and filling the space with material that hardens to restore the tooth’s shape.
Catching cavities early means smaller fillings and more preserved natural tooth structure. Dr. Stevenson, Dr. Klure, and Dr. Hulbert watch suspicious areas during routine exams and intervene when decay begins, not when you’re experiencing pain. By that point, the damage often extends into the tooth’s inner layers where nerves live.
Crowns Protect Severely Damaged Teeth
When a tooth has extensive decay, large old fillings, cracks, or has undergone root canal treatment, a crown provides comprehensive protection. These caps cover the entire visible portion of the tooth, distributing biting forces evenly and preventing further damage. Modern crowns made from porcelain or ceramic blend seamlessly with your natural teeth while providing exceptional durability.
The process typically requires two visits—one to prepare the tooth and take impressions, another to cement the finished crown. You’ll wear a temporary crown between appointments that protects the prepared tooth and lets you function normally. Dr. Stevenson, Dr. Klure, and Dr. Hulbert ensure proper fit and bite alignment, because even slightly high crowns can cause jaw pain and uneven wear.
Restorative Dentistry in Parma Addresses Missing Teeth
Gaps in your smile create problems beyond aesthetics. Neighboring teeth drift into empty spaces, opposing teeth over-erupt without anything to bite against, and your jawbone deteriorates without tooth roots to stimulate it. These changes affect your entire bite over time, leading to jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and additional tooth loss.
Dental bridges span gaps by anchoring artificial teeth to neighboring natural teeth:
- Traditional bridges use crowns on adjacent teeth to support the replacement tooth between them
- The process preserves your ability to chew and speak normally while preventing tooth movement
- Bridges restore facial shape by supporting your lips and cheeks from inside
- Proper care allows bridges to last ten to fifteen years before replacement
Dental implants replace both the missing tooth and its root through a titanium post surgically placed in your jawbone. The implant fuses with bone over several months, creating a stable foundation for a crown that functions like your natural tooth. Implants prevent bone loss, don’t require altering neighboring teeth, and can last decades with proper maintenance.
Root Canals Save Teeth You’d Otherwise Lose
Root canal therapy gets a bad reputation it doesn’t deserve. This treatment saves infected or severely damaged teeth by removing diseased pulp tissue from inside the tooth, disinfecting the internal chambers, and sealing everything to prevent reinfection. Dr. Stevenson, Dr. Klure, and Dr. Hulbert use modern techniques and anesthesia that make the procedure no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.
Signs you might need a root canal include persistent toothache, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold, tooth discoloration, or swelling in nearby gums. The alternative to root canal therapy is extraction, which creates the missing tooth problems discussed earlier. Saving your natural tooth almost always beats replacing it, both functionally and economically.
When Root Canals Make Sense
Most teeth with infected or damaged pulp can be saved through root canal therapy. The tooth remains functional after treatment, though it typically needs a crown for long-term protection since root canal teeth become more brittle without their internal blood supply. Your dentist evaluates whether the remaining tooth structure can support a crown and whether the tooth is strategically important enough to save.
Sometimes extraction makes more sense—when the tooth is severely fractured below the gum line, when bone loss is too extensive, or when the tooth can’t be properly restored even after root canal therapy. Dr. Stevenson, Dr. Klure, and Dr. Hulbert discuss all options honestly so you can make informed decisions about your care.
Restore Your Smile’s Function and Health
Don’t let damaged teeth compromise your quality of life or lead to more serious problems. Contact Trailridge Family Dental today to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Stevenson, Dr. Klure, or Dr. Hulbert and discover how restorative dentistry can bring your smile back to full strength.