Restorative dentistry outcomes often bring tears of

By Matthew Mastrorocco CONTRIBUTOR

I became a dentist to help people. When I started my career, I thought this meant treating patients so they could achieve their best oral health. What I didn’t appreciate at the time was a beautiful smile’s enormous positive emotional impact on a person.

I see the most emotional impact in patients who choose restorative treatment, often referred to as cosmetic dentistry. I prefer the term “restorative dentistry” because the cosmetic results are just some of its many life-changing outcomes.

I have seen hundreds of patients experience other amazing benefits like increased confidence, improved self-esteem, and a new zest for life. I can’t even count how many times I have had a patient in tears of joy when they look in a mirror and see their new smile for the first time. Restorative dentistry includes many types of treatment. Here are some of the procedures that I am asked about most frequently.

• Veneers are thin ceramic coverings bonded to the front of a patient’s teeth to eliminate flaws like stains, chips, gaps and misalignment. Dentists have been using veneers to correct crooked, misshapen and discolored teeth for decades.

Veneers were developed in the 1920s by a California dentist who designed them for celebrities to wear temporarily on-screen. The materials used for veneers, as well as the bonding used to affix them to teeth, have improved drastically since then. I have used the same dental lab to create my veneers for more than 20 years. Their craftmanship makes it nearly impossible to differentiate between their veneers and real teeth.

• Crowns are used to restore and enhance teeth that are damaged. A crown, sometimes called a cap, is used to entirely cover a damaged tooth. A crown not only strengthens a tooth, but it can dramatically improve a tooth’s appearance, shape and alignment. Crowns may be used to replace a large filling when there is little tooth structure remaining, protect a weak tooth from fracturing, restore a fractured tooth, or cover a discolored or poorly shaped tooth, among other things.

• Dental implants are an ideal tooth restoration solution for people who are missing one or more teeth as a result of injury, periodontal disease, or any other reason. A dental implant consists of a metal post being surgically positioned into the jaw. Once in place, and bone surrounding the implant has had time to heal, a replacement tooth is attached to the post.

Implants are long-lasting, stronger than natural teeth, and generally last 10 to 20 years. To receive implants, you need to have healthy gums and adequate bone to support them. You must also be committed to excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits as these are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.

The above is just a sampling of treatments under the restorative care umbrella. If you are interested in learning more about transforming your smile, I recommend talking with your dentist about what treatment options are available based on your goals and level of oral health – which always starts with regular professional hygiene cleanings, dental checkups, and maintaining an excellent at home hygiene care routine.