Restorative Dentistry in Lexington

What is restorative dentistry?

Restorative dentistry includes a wide variety of dental treatments and procedures that are meant to help patients restore their dental health and regain confidence in their smiles. Restorative treatment can help patients who have experienced tooth decay, gum disease, or oral trauma. The scope of restorative care can range from simple treatments like dental fillings to more complex procedures like replacing missing teeth with dental implants, dentures, or a bridge.

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Did you know…

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Left untreated, dental issues can become more severe and expensive the longer you wait.

Ready to schedule your appointment?

Call (859) 309-1095 today!

What to expect at your initial restorative appointment

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Comprehensive Exam

Oral health exams are an integral aspect of every appointment. A comprehensive oral examination, sometimes referred to as a “full mouth exam,” covers the entire mouth, gives us an opportunity to screen you for oral cancer, periodontal disease, tooth decay, and other issues that may affect your oral health.

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Personal Treatment Plan

After your exam is complete, you and your dentist will discuss your oral health, to develop a personal treatment plan tailored to your unique dental needs. Treatment plans are a detailed outline of your recommended care, and typically include a timeline for each procedure, as well as information about what you can expect from each service.

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Options and Alternatives

Everyone is unique, and so are their smiles. With this in mind, no two treatment plans are the same. We’ll take the time to educate you about all of your available treatment options, so you can choose the right treatment for your needs, budget, and lifestyle. We’re with you every step of the way.

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Sedation Solutions

We’re happy to offer sedation options to keep you feeling comfortable and safe during your visit. Sedation is especially helpful for more complex restorative procedures, as well as for patients who experience dental anxiety or have trouble sitting still. We’ll discuss sedation options while making your treatment plan.

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Appointments & Follow-Ups

If you’re coming to our office for a dental emergency, it is important to get the care you need as soon as possible. In some cases we may be able to offer same-day care, depending on the severity of your problem and our availability. For non-emergencies, we’ll simply schedule your next appointment after your initial cleaning and exam. We’ll work with you to schedule in a way that fits with your schedule.

Restorative Treatment Options

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Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are one of the most common dental procedures, and can restore decayed teeth that have been compromised by cavities or other damage. Different materials can be used for fillings, depending on the extent and location of the damage, as well as your overall oral health. Composite resin, gold alloys, metal amalgam, porcelain, and glass ionomer cement are all materials that are utilized for dental fillings. If you suspect you may have a cavity, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible to prevent further decay. If left untreated, cavities can grow more severe, and may need to be treated with more invasive procedures like root canal therapy or even extraction, to restore your oral health.

Inlays and Onlays

Dental inlays and onlays are restorative procedures that can improve both the function and appearance of your teeth. A dental inlay is meant to restore part of a damaged tooth that may be too large for a dental filling, but not large enough for a crown. Dental onlays are similar, but they are placed on the chewing surface of the tooth. They can be made from gold, porcelain, composite resin, or other tooth colored material and can be used to restore damaged or decayed teeth.

Lab-Made Crowns

Lab-made crowns are dental prosthetics that restore damaged teeth by covering them all the way down to the gum line. They are created by a dental technician at a state-of-the-art dental lab. Your dentist will begin the dental crown process by first trimming and shaping your tooth to make it an ideal base to which your new crown will be attached. We’ll take digital scans of your teeth and bite before sending it to our trusted partner lab where they will custom-craft your restoration. 

While your personalized crown is being made in the lab, we will provide you with a temporary crown and send you home. After a few weeks, the lab will send us your finished restoration, and we’ll have you return to have it placed. Before securing the crown in place, we’ll double-check the fit and finish to ensure your new grin is beautiful, comfortable, and functional.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are fixed prosthetics that replace one or more missing teeth. Placing a dental bridge involves placing crowns on the teeth surrounding the gap in your smile, to provide support for the new tooth.

There are many advantages to dental bridges. Because they are supported by your natural teeth, they can improve your chewing ability, your speech, and result in less sensitivity from exposed roots. 

Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a restorative dental procedure that involves removing the pulp from the inside of a tooth that has become infected or damaged. The procedure can be done on any of your teeth, but is most commonly performed on molars or premolars.

During root canal therapy, all traces of infection from the tooth are removed and replaced with a filling material (usually a material called gutta-percha). This is meant to stop the spread of infection, and can also help to prevent future problems so you can avoid more invasive procedures like extraction and tooth replacement. We’ll always try to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible. 

To perform a root canal, your dentist will clean out all infected tissue within the tooth using specialized ultrasonic instruments or hand files before irrigating the root canal system with an antibacterial solution. Once the infection has been removed, most patients will receive a dental crown to protect the treated tooth.

Full & Partial Dentures

Dentures are removable dental prosthetics that can replace missing teeth and gum tissue. Partial dentures are great for patients that are missing only a few of their natural teeth. Full dentures, on the other hand, are used to replace an entire row of natural teeth. Dentures can be made from acrylic or composite materials, and can be kept in place with suction, a dental adhesive, or metal framework that clips onto your remaining healthy teeth. Dentures offer patients a solution for restoring their grin that is not just convenient, but also affordable. To find out if partial or full dentures are right for you, get in touch with us today!

Oral Surgeries

For some patients, oral surgery may be required to prepare for dental implant treatment, remove impacted teeth, or to correct severe orthodontic issues. 

Bone grafts are a common oral surgery that replaces lost jaw bone mass, and promotes regrowth. Patients who are experiencing weakened jawbones due to tooth loss, periodontal disease, or simply the natural aging process may be good candidates for bone grafts. Bone grafts are necessary in many instances to ensure a patient’s jaw bone will be strong enough to retain a dental implant.

Extractions may be required if a patient is receiving a full set of dentures or full-arch dental implants. A full-arch of prosthetic teeth requires an empty arch to be successful. Because we will always try to save your natural teeth, we’ll only recommend this as an option if we can’t restore your smile using another, less invasive procedure. 

Did you know…

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Over 3 million Americans have restored their smiles with dental implants.

Interested in restorative services?

Call (859) 309-1095 to book an appointment.

Have questions about restorative dentistry? Find answers here.

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What issues can restorative dentistry solve?

Restorative dentistry can restore the form and function of infected, damaged, or missing teeth, while preventing further damage down the line. Additionally, if you’ve experienced any sort of dental trauma due to an injury or an accident, restorative dentistry can return your smile to a healthy, functional state.

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What are the benefits of restorative dental procedures?

Restorative dental treatments like root canals, crowns, and implants may seem intimidating to some patients, but thanks to advancements in technology and dental techniques, restorative dentistry is more comfortable and convenient than ever. Getting the restorative dental treatment you need at the earliest opportunity can help you to avoid future issues, dental pain, and more costly procedures. In addition to saving both time and money in the long run, you’ll also get the peace of mind you deserve, knowing that your grin is in good shape. Plus, restorative dentistry can also restore your confidence by improving the overall appearance of your smile.

What is considered a dental emergency?

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Any oral health condition or injury that requires immediate attention and cannot be treated at home is considered a dental emergency. Conditions like toothaches that don’t stop, continued oral pain or discomfort, chipped or broken teeth, missing or lost dental work, and bleeding gums fall into this category. If you’re unsure if what you’re experiencing qualifies as a dental emergency, just know that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Get in touch with us right away to find out if you need emergency dentistry.

Does my insurance cover restorative dentistry?

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Many insurance plans cover a portion of the cost of necessary restorative procedures, but the extent of your coverage can vary, depending on your unique policy. As a common example, your insurance may cover the cost of simple fillings or root canals, but may not provide full coverage for dental implants. To gain a full understanding of your own coverage, we recommend reaching out to your insurance provider for details. Also, you can always get in touch with our knowledgeable and friendly team, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you maximize your benefits at our practice.

Did you know…

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About 25% of American adults are missing all of their teeth.. We can help restore your smile.

Ready to schedule your appointment?

Call (859) 309-1095 to book today!