There are actually several different types of dentistry. There is general dentistry, preventive dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, restorative dentistry, and more. Restorative dentistry is probably what most dental procedures fall under. For instance, if your teeth are decayed, chipped, cracked, broken, or missing you need them restored. There are several different restorative dental procedures to choose from, some more complex and expensive than others. It depends on the extent of your damage how you will restore your smile with restorative dental procedures.

Restorative Procedures

While some dental procedures are considered only preventive or cosmetic, some treatments can be considered both depending upon why they are being used. For instance, while dental veneers are usually chosen as a cosmetic procedure, they can also restore chipped, broken, or cracked teeth. There are other restorative procedures as well:

• The most common restorative dental treatments are fillings used to restore cavities.
• If a tooth is beyond filling or there is a pulpal infection, a root canal can save the tooth.
• Inlays and onlays are another type of dental filling called an indirect filling. Rather than be placed directly in the office on the first visit, they are fabricated in a dental lab and placed on a follow-up visit (hence, indirect).
• Dental crowns are often needed in addition to a root canal to cover the remaining tooth. Dental crowns can save and strengthen damaged teeth.
• Dental bridges are a minimally invasive restorative procedure. You can replace one or more teeth with a dental bridge.
• Dental implants are a complex surgical procedure that permanently replaces missing teeth.
• Tooth extractions are done as a last resort if there is no other way to save the tooth.
• Dentures are a restorative procedure for people who are missing all of their teeth in their upper, lower, or both arches.

ABOUT YOUR GARLAND, TX DENTIST:

Scott Dooley DDS and our friendly team at Scott Dooley Dentistry proudly serve patients of every age, offering general, cosmetic, restorative, emergency, laser, and sedation dentistry. We proudly serve patients from Garland, TX, Richardson, Dallas, Wylie, Sachse, and surrounding communities. To speak with a friendly member of our team and to schedule an appointment, contact us today at 972.495.8100.