Restorative Dentistry,CT | Danbury, New Milford, Newtown, Shelton by Dental Associates of CT

Restoring the form, function and beauty of your teeth and smile is what restorative dentistry is all about. Tooth-colored fillings, porcelain crowns, fixed and removable bridges, dentures and tooth implants are all part of the restorative process. If you're like most patients, and have fillings, you've already had some basic restorative dentistry done.

Restorative dentistry techniques can be as simple a routine filling or as complex as full mouth rehabilitation. Modern materials have enhanced restorative dentistry both technically and esthetically, to offer a wide variety of options for restoring decayed, cracked, broken or missing teeth, including:

• tooth-colored composite fillings
• crowns
• implants
• bridges
• dentures

Restorative dentistry often has a cosmetic aspect to it, as once teeth are restored to their optimum form and function, a patient often takes a renewed interest in the esthetics of his or her smile. That’s where dental procedures such as bleaching, veneers and bonding come in – to create a “star-quality” smile that can boost your confidence, and sometimes even change your life.

Tooth Colored Fillings

One of the biggest advancements in restorative dentistry is the use of tooth-colored dental composite resin fillings instead of silver-mercury amalgam fillings. Not only do these tooth-colored dental composite resin fillings look better, they also bond to and strengthen the teeth they restore.

Dental Crowns

When necessary, even sturdier restorations, such as dental crowns, may be used to restore full form, function and esthetics to cracked, broken or structurally weakened teeth. A dental crown, which covers the entire tooth, is made of tooth-colored porcelain closely matched to the color of surrounding teeth.

Replacement of Missing Teeth

When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the neighboring and opposing teeth shift in position which can lead to periodontal disease, increased potential for decay, and premature tooth loss.

Missing teeth can be replaced with dental implants, bridges, dentures or a combination of these treatment options. All are constructed of materials that combine the ultimate in function and esthetics, for the optimum in long-lasting dental health and an attractive, natural looking smile.

Dental Implants

Dental Implants are one of the newest and best options for replacing a missing tooth or teeth as they provide a look and feel that’s extremely close to that of natural teeth.

Dental Bridges

Dental Bridges are another option for replacement for teeth lost due to accidents, decay or gum disease. A dental bridge does exactly what it says – it bridges the gap between existing and missing teeth. This not only prevents existing teeth from shifting around, but it also corrects an altered bite, improves chewing ability and speech articulation, and supports facial muscles to preserve your normal appearance. Most dental bridges consist of three basic units: the artificial tooth or teeth (the pontic) and two or more permanently attached crowns placed atop the neighboring (abutment teeth).

Dentures

If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury, complete dentures can replace them – improving both your overall appearance and your quality of life. Without the support provided by dentures, facial muscles sag, making a person look older. Dentures also make it easier to eat and to speak, things that people often take for granted until their natural teeth are lost.

Complete dentures are called "immediate" or "conventional” according to when they are made and when they are inserted into the mouth. Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, your dentist takes measurements and makes the models of your jaws during a preliminary visit. An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, after the removal of teeth, bones and gums can shrink during the first few months of healing. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining to fit properly. A conventional denture is made once the tissues have healed. This is most often done as a replacement to an existing denture.

Even with dentures, good oral hygiene is still a must. Like natural teeth, dentures must be brushed daily to remove food deposits, stains, and plaque. Patients are advised to brush their gums, tongue, and palate with a soft-bristled brush, every morning, to stimulate circulation and help remove plaque, prior to putting in thoroughly cleaned dentures. At Dental Associates, your personal dentist with advise you on the very best ways to care for your dentures, and your dental health.

Finally, at Dental Associates, your personal dentist acts as the restorative “team leader,” coordinating your care with our on-site specialists for state-of-the-art restorative dentistry guaranteed to bring back your smile and improve your quality of life.