Restorative Dentistry

Salt Lake City, Utah Restorative Dentistry

The term "Restorative Dentistry" refers to the procedures and treatments for restoring your natural teeth that may have become decayed, damaged, or lost. Many restorative dentistry treatment options exist that may be implemented, depending on your unique needs. Whether you need prosthodontics, such as dentures, or more cosmetic restorative dentistry, such as porcelain veneers, Salt Lake City, Utah restorative dentist Dr. Allan S. Thomas will consult with you and help you understand what restorative dental treatment option is best for you.

• Dental Implants: Dental implants fall under the realm of cosmetic dentistry because of the artistic skill required to make them look like a natural tooth and their ability to improve the look of your smile. Yet they are also a restorative dentistry procedure as they are used to replace one or more lost or damaged teeth with artificial ones. Dental implants can also be used as an anchoring system for dentures and dental bridges. Implant-supported dentures have many advantages over regular dentures, including improved function and comfort. Dental implants are effective and proven to successfully improve your smile.
• Dental Veneers: Porcelain veneers are custom-designed shells of tooth-like ceramic material applied over the surface of a tooth. Dental veneers can cover worn tooth enamel, uneven tooth alignment, cracks, chips and spacing gaps. Porcelain veneers can be crafted to look just like your natural teeth.
• Dental Crowns: Dental crowns, sometimes called "caps," preserve the functionality of damaged teeth. Dental crowns are used to restore functionality of a tooth with excessive decay, protect a cracked or broken tooth, or replace an existing dental crown. Salt Lake City restorative dentist, Dr. Allan Thomas, can place porcelain crowns that will look and function like your original teeth before the damage occurred. Many dental crown recipients are unable to feel or see a difference in their porcelain crowns compared to the original teeth.
• Dental Bonding: "Dental bonding" is the term used to describe the use of composite resins to "glue" materials to the surface of a tooth for restorative dentistry purposes. Cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged teeth are often repaired through bonding. An enamel-like composite material is adhered to the surface of a tooth, sculpted into shape and polished, making the chip or crack invisible.
• Dental Bridges: Dental Bridges are used to replace teeth that are missing. Not only do dental bridges help the aesthetics of your smile, they solve the problem missing teeth can have in affecting your bite and speech. Bridging fills in spaces where teeth are missing with dental implants or partial dentures.
• Laser Dentistry Procedures: In some instances, laser dentistry can replace the need to drill teeth or to use other, more invasive dental equipment. Dental lasers can be used to remove tooth decay, perform periodontal surgery, during a bonding procedure, replace scaling, treat some forms of sleep apnea and enhance tooth whitening.
• Fillings: When small tooth fractures or tooth decay occur, fillings are most often used to repair the surfaces of your teeth. Routine cleanings and dental exams often identify cracks or decay in a tooth that can then be remedied with a filling.
• Prosthodontics: Prosthodontics is a dental field focusing on the restoration of oral functionality by creating prostheses and restorations (i.e. complete dentures, dental crowns, dental implants, etc.). Joint problems, dentures and cosmetic dentistry all fall into the field of prosthodontics.

From prosthodontics and dentures to laser dentistry and dental bonding, restorative dentistry procedures help restore your damaged or lost teeth and your dental health. Dr. Allan Thomas is an expert in restorative dentistry and is happy to have a consultation with you to discuss your specific situation. Call our Salt Lake City, Utah office today or fill out the form on this page and we will get back to you quickly.