Depending on your needs, desires, and the status of your oral health, one dental treatment may benefit you more than another. Most patients wonder what’s the difference between cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and whether they need both. Restorative services help lay a healthy and strong foundation for a lasting natural smile, but that doesn’t always mean you’re happy with the way your teeth look. Read on to learn the difference between these two fields of dentistry and how they can help you meet your smile goals.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry does just what it sounds like. It rebuilds and restores the function of your smile and keeps your teeth and gums healthy. Some of these procedures include dental implants, fixed bridges, dentures, fillings, and dental crowns. While a dentist doesn’t need special training to complete restorative services, they can take advanced training seminars and courses to perfect tooth replacement craftsmanship.
The main concern of restorative procedures is to get patients’ mouths functioning as best as they can and extend the longevity of their natural smile. Although, getting aesthetically pleasing results is also an important part of restorative treatments.
Problems Fixed With Restorative Treatments
Oral health issues crop up all the time, whether it’s a tooth infection, severe cavity, or missing permanent tooth, restorative treatments act to prevent further oral deterioration. When your dentist addresses and treats these issues early on, they can prevent other problems from arising down the road.
What is Cosmetic Dentistry?
The primary concern of cosmetic dental procedures is to transform your smile into one that you’re proud to show off. Damaged, broken, and discolored teeth can have a massive impact on your self-esteem and confidence, and services such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, and direct bonding, help to repair these flaws. While the health of your smile is always a dentist’s number one concern, they also believe that everyone should be able to love their grin.
Problems Fixed With Cosmetic Treatments
There are several cosmetic services, including modern orthodontic treatments like Invisalign, that help beautify patients’ smiles. Some imperfections that cosmetic treatments can tackle include:
- Gapped teeth
- Misaligned teeth
- Minor bite problems
- Dental discoloration and staining
- Crowded teeth
- Broken, chipped, and fractured teeth
Do You Need Both?
Some patients are looking to improve their oral health with restorative dentistry, but afterward, they’re still not happy with the appearance of their smile. This isn’t the fault of their dentist, it’s just that they need additional treatments to erase cosmetic flaws. If you find yourself in this predicament, ask your dentist about what treatment they feel will allow you to reach your ideal smile while also optimizing your oral health. They can develop a customized plan that will help you reach your desired results.
If you’re still stuck on whether or not you need cosmetic or restorative dental treatments, be sure to visit your dentist in Orange Park for a consultation. They can discuss any possible limitations of the procedures you’re looking into and let you know the benefits of each.
About the Author
Dr. Steven Crovatto is passionate about providing his patients with comprehensive dental care, which is why he offers countless services, including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and orthodontic treatments. He aims to optimize his patients’ oral health while giving them a smile that they’re proud to show off. That’s why he is so fond of performing restorative care for patients in need. For questions or to schedule a consultation, visit Crovatto & Edwards Family Dentistry’s website or call 904-272-0800.