Restorative Dentistry v/s Cosmetic Dentistry

Both restorative and cosmetic dentistry aim to enhance smiles, but they focus on distinct aspects of dental care. Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing or replacing damaged or missing teeth to restore both functionality and oral health, utilizing procedures such as fillings, crowns, or implants. Cosmetic dentistry primarily enhances the appearance of teeth through treatments like teeth whitening, veneers, implants, or Invisalign. Some cosmetic dentistry procedures are also utilized in restorative dentistry, addressing both the function and appearance of teeth.

Your Fuquay-Varina dentists at Hamby Family Dental Center are experienced with performing both cosmetic and restorative dentistry. In this article, we explain the primary differences in these two types of dentistry.

Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing or replacing teeth with the goal of improving oral health and chewing function. A general dentist, also called a family dentist, such as Hamby Family Dental Center, performs restorative dentistry. Some examples of restorative dental procedures include crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures. Other procedures that are both restorative and cosmetic include dental inlays and onlays. These are custom-made fillings that restore damaged or decayed teeth.

When You Need Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry is needed when teeth are damaged, decayed, or missing, impacting their function or appearance. This includes situations like cavities, cracked or broken teeth, and missing teeth. Also, if you experience pain, sensitivity, or difficulty chewing, restorative procedures might be necessary.

You may need restorative dentistry if you have these dental issues:

• Cavities and Tooth Decay: When bacteria erode the tooth enamel, creating holes or softened areas.
• Cracked or Broken Teeth: Damage from injuries, grinding, or clenching can weaken teeth and require restoration.
• Gaps in your Teeth: Gaps in your smile can affect chewing, speaking, and even cause neighboring teeth to shift.
• Tooth Sensitivity: Sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure can indicate damage or decay needing attention.
• Pain or Discomfort: Toothaches or jaw pain may signal a problem that restorative dentistry can address.
• Difficulty Chewing or Speaking: Restorative procedures can improve your ability to eat comfortably and speak clearly.
• Unattractive Appearance: Chips, cracks, or discoloration can be improved with restorative treatments.
• Root Canal Therapy: If bacteria infect the tooth’s pulp (the innermost layer), a root canal might be needed to save the tooth.
• Gum Disease: While not always considered restorative, severe gum disease can lead to tooth loss and may require restorative procedures like implants or bridges.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry aims to improve the appearance of your teeth and overall smile. Cosmetic dentistry uses various procedures, depending on your objectives–teeth whitening, veneers, bonding, Invisalign, and gum contouring. It involves treatments that improve the color, shape, size, alignment, and overall look of your teeth. While primarily aimed at aesthetics, some cosmetic procedures can also improve oral health and function.

Common cosmetic dentistry procedures include:

• Teeth Whitening: Brightens stained or discolored teeth.
• Dental Veneers: Thin shells that cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance.
• Dental Bonding: Uses tooth-colored materials to fix chips, cracks, or gaps.
• Dental Implant: Replace missing teeth, restoring both function and aesthetics.
• Dental Crowns: Cap or cover damaged teeth to improve their shape, size, and strength.
• Gum Contouring: Reshapes the gum line for a more balanced and attractive smile.
• Tooth Contouring: Reshapes a tooth or teeth in size or shape when it is affecting your appearance.
• Orthodontics: Can correct misaligned teeth and bite issues.
• Smile Improvements: Combine multiple cosmetic procedures to achieve a comprehensive and personalized approach to address various dental imperfections and enhance the overall aesthetics of a smile.
• Inlays and Onlays: Custom-made fillings that restore damaged or decayed teeth.

Overlap of Restorative and Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Restorative and cosmetic dentistry often overlap when a procedure addresses both the function and appearance of teeth. In essence, restorative dentistry focuses on repairing and restoring the health and function of teeth, while cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing the aesthetic appearance of your smile. However, many procedures effectively address both aspects, creating a blend of health and beauty.

Procedures that overlap between Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry:

• Dental Implants: Dental implants are a prime example of overlap. They replace missing teeth, restoring the ability to bite and chew properly (restorative), while also enhancing the smile’s appearance (cosmetic) by seamlessly blending with natural teeth.
• Dental Crowns: Crowns can be used to protect and strengthen damaged teeth (restorative), but they also improve the tooth’s shape, size, and color, making them more aesthetically pleasing (cosmetic).
• Dental Bridges: Similar to crowns, bridges replace missing teeth, restoring proper chewing function (restorative) and improving the overall appearance of the smile.
• Veneers: While primarily considered cosmetic, veneers can also be used to address minor structural issues with teeth, such as chips or cracks, thus offering a restorative benefit as well.
• Bonding: This technique can fix minor chips or gaps in teeth, restoring both the tooth’s function and its appearance.
• Teeth Whitening: While primarily cosmetic, teeth whitening can also be considered restorative when it addresses discoloration caused by staining or other factors that affect the tooth’s appearance.

Key Differences Between a Smile Improvements and a Full Mouth Reconstruction

Both smile makeovers and full mouth reconstructions aim to improve your smile, but their primary focus and scope differ significantly. A smile makeover is a “wants-based” procedure focused on improving the look of your smile, while full mouth reconstruction is a “needs-based” treatment addressing serious dental issues to restore both function and aesthetics. If you are experiencing pain, difficulty chewing, or other functional problems, you more than likely need a reconstruction. If your teeth are generally healthy but you are unhappy with their appearance, a smile makeover might be more appropriate. It is crucial to consult with a dentist to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific needs.

Smile Makeover

The focus of a smile makeover is primarily on improving the aesthetic appearance of the smile. The purpose is to address cosmetic concerns like teeth discoloration, minor chips or cracks, small gaps, or the overall visual appeal of the smile. Typically, a smile makeover involves procedures to enhance the visible portions of the teeth. Such procedures as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, dental bonding, gum contouring, tooth contouring, and orthodontics like Invisalign®.

Full Mouth Reconstruction

The focus of a full mouth reconstruction is to primarily restore functionality and health to the entire mouth. Secondarily, it also improves the smile’s aesthetics. To address serious dental problems like extensive decay, trauma, diseases affecting multiple teeth, missing teeth, worn or broken teeth, and bite issues. A comprehensive approach is designed to rebuild and/or replace all teeth in the upper and lower jaws. It involves restoring both the form and function of the mouth. Dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, root canal therapy, gum surger, bone or soft tissue grafting, and orthodontics can all be used in a full mouth reconstruction.

Schedule an Appointment with Hamby Family Dental Center Today for Restorative and Cosmetic Dental Procedures

The team at Hamby Family Dental Center is committed to your overall oral health and appearance. If you are experiencing pain, have had oral trauma, or are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We can discuss the dental procedures and options available to you. Call us at  919-552-2431 or complete the form below to request an appointment.