23 Jul How Restorative and Cosmetic Dental Care Differ?
Oral hygiene includes different procedures that help to preserve or enhance the condition of our teeth. Though cosmetic and restorative dental hygiene care are concerned with improving the appearance of our teeth, they are different and taken differently. This means that understanding these differences can assist you in selecting the right treatment. Here is a clear guide to the differences between aesthetic and reconstructive dentistry.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Reconstructive dentistry revolves around replacing missing or possibly fractured tooth structures. This branch of dentistry focuses on the restoration of the normal function and health of your teeth. Some of the basic restorative dental procedures include crowns, dental implants, endodontic treatment, and bridges. These treatments work in cases of caries, injuries, and loss of teeth, so your mouth remains serviceable and healthy.
For instance, a root canal procedure involves the elimination of unhealthy pulp inside a tooth, filling the root canal, and capping the tooth with a crown. This process enables the tooth to function effectively and eliminates further risk of decay. Another major restorative dental treatment is the dental implants that offer a fixed prosthesis solution for tooth loss.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentistry, on the other hand, concerns the aesthetics of the mouth and teeth. It may also help to solve some functional problems, although its main purpose is ornamental. Examples of such treatments include cosmetic dental bonding, cosmetic dental crowns, teeth whitening, and dental veneers. These procedures serve to enhance the color, shape, and position of your teeth in your mouth.
For example, cosmetic dental bonding entails fixing of a tooth-colored resin on the teeth to fix small flaws like cracks or spaces. Dental veneers refer to thin layers that are bonded on the surface of the teeth to change their appearance. While other dental interventions are generally restorative, cosmetic treatments are usually optional and aimed at improving the appearance of teeth.
Different Goals and Uses
One of the most notable distinctions between restorative dental and cosmetic dental care is the objectives of each service. The goal of restorative dental work is to restore your teeth to functional and optimal health. They are usually required to serve different needs like filling cavities, repairing fractures, or replacement of missing teeth. In contrast, cosmetic dentistry is the process of enhancing the aesthetics of your teeth. They are primarily concerned with aesthetic changes to teeth as opposed to functional issues.
Restorative dental care is essential for overall dentition; however, cosmetic dentistry is about aesthetics. For instance, cosmetic dental crowns are employed on a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment, not only to fix the functionality of the tooth but also to enhance its aesthetics.
Materials and Techniques
Another important difference is the combination of materials used to prepare the dish. Many restorative dental materials focus on strength and use in this context. For example, people prefer amalgam fillings due to their strength and durability. On the other hand, cosmetic dental treatment materials are inclined towards appearance. Cosmetic dental bonding utilizes composite resins that have the same color as your natural teeth to create an aesthetic blend.
Combining Both Approaches
In some cases, restorative as well as cosmetic procedures may be done in combination to get the best outcomes. For instance, a patient may need a root canal to treat a decayed tooth and may follow this up by undergoing cosmetic dental crowns to enhance the looks of the same tooth.
Choose the Right Treatment
Restorative dentistry focuses on health and functionality, while cosmetic dentistry is centered around enhancing appearance. The decision of whether or not to opt for cosmetic or restorative dentistry is all a matter of preference. In case you are experiencing such issues as pain, decay, or missing teeth, then restorative dental treatment is inevitable. Cosmetic dentistry therefore may be the next step if you want to improve the aesthetic appearance of your teeth. It would be advisable to seek advice from a dental practitioner within a cosmetic dental surgery facility such as Smiley Kids Dental to get recommendations based on your goal and dental condition.
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