Americans take their smiles seriously. Down the aisles of any grocery store, you’ll find a plethora of whitening products, promising beautiful, bright smiles. While checking out, you’re bound to see the latest celebrity giving a toothy grin next to whitening gum. If your teeth are stained, this might be helpful — although not as effective as professional whitening — but what if you’re smile is damaged beyond simple staining?
If you’ve been dreaming of a way to fix your damaged smile, dream no longer. Whether your teeth have become damaged as a result of trauma, like a car accident or athletic injury, or as a result of other ongoing problems, like TMJ or poor oral hygiene, an experienced cosmetic dentist can rebuild your smile into the beautiful, functional, natural-looking one that it was before.
This can be done using restorative dentistry. This type of dentistry is specifically to correct damage that has been done to your teeth, as opposed to the cosmetic treatments that improve the appearance of your natural teeth.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is a type of dentistry specifically designed to correct damage that has been done to your teeth, as opposed to cosmetic treatments that simply improve the appearance of your natural teeth. Using the power of modern dental technology, even if you’re missing teeth entirely, there’s a treatment for you. No damage is irreparable. Reconstructive dentistry can repair damage that has resulted from trauma, poor oral hygiene that has caused gum disease, and just about anything else, leaving you with a brand-new smile.
How Does Reconstructive Dentistry Work?
The first step to any reconstructive work is an initial consultation. During this step, your dentist will perform a comprehensive examination of your teeth and ask about your medical history. At this time, you and your dentist can work to identify issues you have with your smile, as well as assessing your current oral health. From there, you can set goals, and begin to form a customized reconstruction plan that addresses all your concerns. Your dentist might also show you a model of your mouth, and pictures of other patients who may have achieved results similar to your goals.
Remember: there’s no need to be embarrassed by a damaged smile. Dentists aren’t there to judge you, they’re there to help.
Treatment Plan
Restorative treatments vary widely depending on your own personal difficulties. If you’ve lost a tooth due to trauma, one of the most effective tooth replacement methods is dental implants. Comprised of two main components — the ceramic crown, and the titanium implant — dental implants can replace your teeth, lasting a lifetime when cared for properly. After the implant is surgically inserted into the jaw bone, forming a bond with living bone and tissue, it functions much like your natural teeth.
Dental bonding is a simpler treatment that can be used to correct teeth that have been chipped. Using dental composite, a reconstructive dentist can use this technique to create a natural-looking repair that is both functional and convincing.
To learn more about our innovative approach to restoration dentistry or find the right procedure for you, please call (803) 781-9090 or email Smile Columbia Dentistry today to schedule an appointment at our Columbia, South Carolina office.
