RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY
Bonding, Crowns, Bridges, Fillings, Root Canal, Extractions, Implants, TMJ, Dentures

Restorative Dentistry is the study, diagnosis and integrated effective management of diseases of the teeth and their supporting structures and the rehabilitation of the dentition to functional and aesthetic requirements of the individual. Restorative dentistry relates to:

* Dental Implants – an ideal solution for patients missing teeth. Implants are permanently set in the jaw and affixed with replacement teeth, preventing painful shifting in the mouth.
* Dental Crowns – when a tooth is severely damaged or decayed, dental crowns act as a protective cover, strengthening the tooth and reinforcing the jaw.
* Bonding – Bonding is the term used to describe the process of using composite resins to "glue" materials to the surface of a tooth for restorative purposes. Chipped or cracked teeth are typically repaired through bonding. An enamel-like composite material is applied to the surface of a tooth, sculpted into shape, contoured and polished, making the crack or chip invisible.
* Dental Bridges – for one or more missing teeth, dental bridges literally "bridge the gap" between remaining teeth, stabilizing the jaw by surrounding those teeth with attractive crowns.
* Orthodontics – Misaligned teeth and malocclusions can be straightened and corrected with dental braces and retainers. Orthodontics is both a functional and cosmetic treatment, and has become an increasingly popular field of dentistry.
* Dentures – replacing one or more teeth is easier than ever before with the multitude of denture alternatives available to patients. Dentures are now more comfortable and affordable than ever before.
* Laser Procedures – In some cases, laser dentistry can replace the need to drill teeth or to use other, more invasive dental equipment. Dental lasers can be used during a bonding procedure and to remove tooth decay, replace scaling, perform periodontal surgery, enhance tooth whitening and treat some forms of sleep apnea.
* Root Canal – infected tissues in the tooth pulp can cause severe pain and eventually lead to tooth loss. Root canal therapy is designed to remove infected tissue with the goal of saving the tooth.
* Gum Disease – periodontal disease is characterized by swollen, tender, or bleeding gums. Both early and advanced periodontal disease can be treated with both surgical and non-surgical therapy.
* TMJ Disorders – a misaligned bite, bruxism (teeth grinding), and other factors can put stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMJ disorders can be the source of a variety of painful symptoms, from headaches to ear and neck pain.
* Full-Mouth Reconstruction – patients with severe dental problems often require a full-mouth reconstruction. Dentists performing full-mouth reconstructions often draw on both cosmetic and restorative dentistry solutions to improve the health, function, and appearance of the smile.

‘Restorative dentistry’ is a specialization of the medical discipline called the dentistry. Through performing these techniques the function of the ‘dentition’ is being restored. Dentition is the process of growth of the teeth and their array inside of the mouth. Now, this article is all about the various types of the restorative dentistry. But it is better to state that some other branches of the ‘dentistry’ are directly related to the ‘restorative dentistry’. So it will be correct to mention the links between those branches with the restorative dentistry, which are often considered as the different types of the restorative dentistry. Those branches of dentistry are prosthodontics, endodontics, and periodontics.

Endodontics - This is a specialization of the field of the dentistry. Endodontics could be considered as a sibling of the ‘restorative dentistry’. This dentistry technique cures the problems related to the ‘tooth pulp’ and the surrounding tissues of the tooth root. The tooth pulp consists of the nerves, venules, and arterioles along with the ‘fibrous tissues’ and the ‘lymphatic tissues’. Since the injured or the diseased tooth pulps are unable to cure them, this discipline of the medical science is very much important. Through the techniques of the endodontics the inner tooth bleaching is done, by which the inner black spots of the teeth are cured.

Endodontics, from the Greek endo (inside) and odons (tooth), is a specialist sub-field of dentistry that deals with the tooth pulp and the tissues surrounding the root of a tooth. The pulp (containing nerves, arterioles and venules as well as lymphatic tissue and fibrous tissue) can become diseased or injured, and is often unable to repair itself; if it dies, endodontic treatment is required.

Endodontists are dentists who have specialized in this field; qualification as an endodontist typically requires an additional 2-3 years of training following dental school. Many endodontic residents do original research and earn a Master's degree as well as a speciality certificate. They specialize and limit their practice to root canal therapy and root canal surgery, and use their special training and experience in treating difficult cases that are referred to them by general dentists who opt not to perform these cases, such as teeth with narrow or blocked canals, or unusual anatomy. Endodontists may use advanced technology, such as operating microscopes, ultrasonics and digital imaging, to perform these special services, and often have great experience in successfully treating patients who present in pain. Patients requiring root canal therapy are either referred by their general dentists to the endodontist or are self referred; the most common procedure done in endodontics is root-canal therapy. It is important to note that most general dentists are trained to address a variety of patients' endodontic needs, and thus most root canals are performed by general dentists.

Other procedures practiced in endodontics include incision for drainage, internal tooth bleaching to fix teeth that have blackened because of infiltration of decayed soft tissue into the dentin in the teeth - most often seen in incisors that have been injured through a sudden impact, and periradicular surgery (apicoectomy); the more radical treatments generally are needed in cases of abscesses, root fractures, and problematic tooth anatomy, but may be indicated in treating teeth that have persistent root end pathosis following root canal treatment.

Periodontics or the periodontal therapy is another section of the dentistry, which is completely related to the restorative dentistry. The periodontics is known as the branch of the dentistry, which deals with the structures of the teeth. Through periodontics, the structural problem of the teeth is cured also. While treating the problems of the structures of the teeth, it becomes important to cure surroundings and the ‘supporting tissues’ of the teeth. The supporting tissues include the gums, cementum, periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. In broader sense, periodontics in the dentistry technique that cures the structural problems of the teeth and the problems related to the surroundings of the teeth. That is why the periodontists often perform the techniques like the ‘gum recession’ and the ‘surgical placements’ to give the well-shaped structure of the teeth to their patients.

Periodontology, or Periodontics, is the branch of dentistry which studies supporting structures of teeth, and diseases and conditions that affect them. The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament. The word comes from the Greek words peri meaning around and odons meaning tooth. Literally taken, it means study of that which is "around the tooth".

Periodontal disease Periodontal diseases take on many different forms, but are usually a result of a coalescence of bacterial plaque biofilm accumulation of the gingiva and teeth, combined with host immuno-inflammatory mechanisms and other risk factors which lead to destruction of the supporting bone around natural teeth. Untreated, these diseases lead to alveolar bone loss and tooth loss, and to date continue to be the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

A Periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis and surgical and non-surgical treatment of diseases and conditions of the periodontium. Periodontists are experts in the management of patients with periodontal diseases including all forms of gingivitis, periodontitis and gingival recession (gum recession).

‘Prosthodontics’ is also a branch from the field of dentistry and could be considered as the sibling of the restorative dentistry. The person who practices the ‘prosthodontics’ is known as the ‘prosthodontist’. This field of dentistry is directly related to the esthetic, implant and some reconstructive techniques. In this technique of the dentistry the oral functions are restored through the use of the ‘prostheses’ creation and some other restoration procedures. The restoration procedures include the techniques like the crowns, complete dentures, and most importantly the supported or the retained restoration techniques.

A prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in prosthodontics, the specialty of implant, esthetic and reconstructive dentistry. Prosthodontists specialize in the restoration of oral function by creating prostheses and restorations (i.e., complete dentures, crowns, implant retained/supported restorations). Cosmetic dentistry, implants and joint problems all fall under the field of prosthodontics.

The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) ensures standards are maintained in the field. Becoming a prosthodontist requires an additional 3 years of specialty training after obtaining a dental degree. Training consists of rigorous preparation in head and neck anatomy, materials science, esthetics, and occlusion (bite). Due to this extensive training, prosthodontists are frequently called upon to treat complex cosmetic cases, full mouth reconstructions, TMJ related disorders, congenital disorders, and sleep apnea by planning and fabricating various prostheses.

Maxillofacial prosthetics is a sub-specialty of prosthodontics. Maxillofacial prosthodontists treat patients who have acquired and congenital defects of the head and neck (maxillofacial) region due to surgery, trauma, and/or birth defect. It requires an additional year of training after completing an approved prosthodontic training program. Artificial eyes (see Ocular prosthetic, ears, and maxillary obturators are commonly planned and fabricated by maxillofacial prosthodontists). Other less commonly employed prostheses include mouth devices used by amputees to aid in daily activities, tracheostomy obturators, and craniofacial prosthesis.