Restorative Dentistry
Chewing comfortably, speaking clearly, or even smiling with confidence is much harder when your dental care isn’t at its peak. Thankfully, the talented professionals here at Dental Solutions of Encinitas can rejuvenate your oral health and repair your smile with amazing restorative dentistry treatments.
If you or a loved one are missing one or more teeth, are experiencing dental discomfort, or interested in improving your oral health—look no further than our office. Our years of experience let us seamlessly combine tried and true oral care techniques with the most advanced dental technology available to give you a healthy smile that you will love sharing with the world.
Contact our office and schedule your restorative dentistry consultation.
What Can Restorative Dentistry Do for Me?
Our teeth work hard for us every day through chewing, speaking, and smiling. And those aren’t the only vital tasks they perform; our teeth protect our gums, keep our jaws healthy, and even strengthen muscle groups in our face.
But our teeth need to work together to optimize our oral health. A single missing tooth can cause a loss of density in our jawbone and damaged teeth can lead to bite issues or pulpitis (a bacterial infection inside a tooth).
That is where restorative dentistry comes in. For every issue that negatively impacts your oral health, we have a treatment that provides relief and reverses any harm done.
When Do I Need Restorative Dentistry?
It is important to act quickly when it comes to restorative dentistry because the longer you wait, the risks to your oral health increases. In less than a year, a single missing tooth can cause sections of your jaw to deteriorate by 35%. Gum disease can advance at an alarming rate as well, creating dental abscesses that can spread bacterial infections.
Protect your smile by being proactive and schedule a restorative dentistry consultation if you have any of the following:
A Closer Look at Essential Restorative Solutions
After reviewing the wide range of restorative treatment options we offer, it’s clear that tooth restoration can take many forms based on your unique needs. Whether you’re dealing with missing teeth, decay, or damage, our goal is to help you regain a healthy, functional, and beautiful smile. From simple fillings to more advanced restorations like crowns and inlays, we are committed to finding the best solution for your oral health.
Now, let’s explore two of the most common and effective restorative treatments: tooth-colored fillings and crowns, inlays, and onlays. These treatments are tailored to repair damaged teeth while preserving as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
Tooth Colored Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings restore strength and structure to teeth following cavity removal. The fillings match the color and luster of the teeth they treat. Dr. Sherry Vakilian and the team of Dental Solutions of Encinitas is proud to offer the cosmetically pleasing treatment. Many of our Encinitas patients seek tooth-colored fillings as a more attractive replacement for silver amalgam fillings.
What Are the Benefits of Tooth-Colored Fillings?
Dental fillings are one of the most commonly performed restorative treatments we provide. Tooth-colored fillings offer numerous benefits to our Encinitas patients, including:
Affordability
Fillings are one of the most affordable restorative treatments we offer. Many dental insurance providers cover most if not all of the cost associated with tooth-colored fillings.
Restored Oral Health
Cavity treatment requires the removal of natural tooth structure. Tooth-colored fillings prevent cavities from returning. The composite resin also restores bite balance and prevents temperature sensitivity. If patients do experience temporary sensitivity following tooth-colored fillings placement, those minor side effects typically resolve within a few days after treatment.
Natural-Looking Results
Tooth-colored fillings are made from a special composite resin that can be color-matched to seamlessly blend with your smile. The fillings are also highly reflective, meaning they will match the luster of tooth enamel. Dr. Vakilian will artfully place your fillings so the material lies flush with the surface of your tooth.
Prevention of Dental Problems
Tooth-colored fillings are an affordable treatment that can spare your tooth from invasive treatments down the road. By removing decay at an early stage and preserving your tooth using tooth-colored fillings, you can enjoy long-term savings.
Candidacy Considerations
Age, gum disease, poor diet, and poor oral hygiene habits are all risk factors for tooth decay. If you have a cavity removal scheduled at our Encinitas dental practice, you may be a great candidate for tooth-colored fillings.
Dr. Vakilian or a member of our dental team will explain your restorative options. Tooth-colored fillings are a great option when the treatment area is outwardly visible. If your fillings are placed on molars, you may be a better candidate for metal fillings, which are stronger.
A growing number of our patients seek tooth-colored fillings as a replacement for unsightly silver amalgam fillings. If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of any of your fillings, Dr. Vakilian will be glad to replace those restorations with natural-looking metal-free fillings.
How Are Fillings Placed?
Before your tooth-colored fillings can be placed, Dr. Vakilian will need to remove decay or your old fillings.
- Once your tooth is prepared, the surface of the tooth will be cleaned. A special etching liquid may be used to ensure that the fillings achieve a strong bond with the tooth surface.
- Dr. Vakilian will then color-match the composite resin so that it blends pleasingly with your natural teeth.
- She will then artfully place the fillings before using a special light to quickly harden the composite resin.
- The final step involves ensuring that the fillings do not interfere with your bite. Minor adjustments can be made before you are released.
A single filling can often be placed in a few minutes.
Crowns, Inlays, and Onlays
Following your restorative treatment at Dental Solutions of Encinitas, an inlay, onlay, or dental crown may be placed to restore strength to your tooth. Inlays and onlays are pre-molded fillings that are used when fillings would be insufficient and a dental crown would be excessive. An inlay fits within the surface of a tooth while an onlay covers one or more edges of a tooth. A dental crown encases the entire tooth with a durable and natural-looking “cap.”
Benefits of Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays protect teeth from further decay following cavity removal. The restorative treatment also strengthens and reinforces the structure of teeth following the loss of natural tooth structure. Our dentist, Dr. Shelly Vakilian, will match the color of your pre-molded filling to match your natural teeth. Once the inlay or onlay is placed, it will blend seamlessly with your natural smile. Many dental insurance plans cover part or all of this routine restorative treatment.
Are You a Candidate?
Crowns, inlays, and onlays are often placed following a restorative treatment that removes decay from a tooth’s surface. The restorations allow your tooth to retain its natural shape.
If you are scheduled to undergo cavity treatment or root canal therapy, you are likely a good candidate for one of these restorative treatments.
During your consultation at our Encinitas dental practice. Dr. Vakilian will explain which restoration will best fit your oral health needs. Our office always takes a conservative approach to dentistry. Dr. Vakilian will remove the least amount of natural tooth structure to fully restore your oral health.
How Are Crowns, Inlays, and Onlays Placed?
Before your crown, inlay, or onlay can be manufactured, your tooth will have to be treated.
- Dr. Vakilian will use local anesthesia to numb your tooth before a special tool is used to remove decay.
- Once your tooth is free from decay or infection, a mold or digital impression of your tooth will be made. The impression will be sent to a trusted laboratory that will manufacture your pre-molded filling or dental crown. Dr. Vakilian will send the lab special instructions to ensure that your restoration matches the color and luster of your natural teeth. You may be given a temporary restoration while you wait.
- After a few weeks, your custom inlay, onlay, or dental crown will arrive at our Encinitas dental practice.
- During your second and final visit, Dr. Vakilian will ensure that the filling or crown is a perfect fit before attaching it to your tooth using a strong cement.
There is no recovery time associated with these restorative treatments, although some patients may experience heightened tooth sensitivity for a few days following the placement of their inlay, onlay, or crown.
Call Today to Restore Your Smile
If you live in San Diego County, you can count on Dental Solutions of Encinitas to complete your smile and restore your oral health. We pride ourselves on providing restorative treatments that optimize your dental care and promote whole body wellness.
Why wait to get the healthy and happy smile you deserve? Contact our office today and schedule your restorative dentistry consultation and discover why your smile is our passion.