Restorative Dentistry FAQ's
What is restorative dentistry?
What if I have a cavity?
How can a broken tooth be repaired?
What should I do about a missing tooth?
What if I have several chipped, broken, or decayed teeth?
A: Our mouths go through some of the most trying experiences our bodies endure. Everyday use and abuse can leave our smiles worn out or our teeth damaged. Other factors like decay, injury, or aging can also cause our teeth to become weak, affecting both oral health and overall health. Restorative dentistry is the number of services we provide to repair the damages done to our teeth. Treatments like fillings, onlays, and inlays repair the decay of cavities; crowns repair damages to tooth structure; and dental implants can prevent harmful effects of missing teeth. Even if you have multiple restorative needs, Dr. Kobak will assist you in creating a treatment plan that will have you smiling with a healthy set of teeth.
Q: What if I have a cavity?A: Cavities may seem just like a pesky annoyance at first, causing toothache or sensitivity, but a cavity is a dangerous infection that can cause more complicated and painful problems such as root canals if it is not treated quickly. When you notice toothache or sensitivity, it is important to have the tooth checked immediately for decay. Of course, regular checkups, dental cleaning, and good daily oral hygiene are good preventative measures against a cavity. Dr, Kobak uses the cutting edge technology of DIAGNOdent to detect cavities in the earliest stages. But once decay has started, a cavity is not reversible and must be treated by a dentist.
Syosset Dental offers a number of options for restorative dentistry to have you smiling with a healthy set of teeth again. First, Dr. Kobak will diagnose the severity of the cavity by using DIAGNOdent and digital radiography to see decay that may not be visible to the naked eye. If decay is present, Dr. Kobak will do everything he can to preserve the healthy structure of the tooth. After decay is removed, a filling made of composite material can replace the void, strengthening the remaining tooth structure and blocking other decay from affecting the tooth. The composite material is white and will match the color of your teeth. If the cavity has affected the structure of the tooth and weakened it beyond the effective repair of a composite filling, an inlay or onlay may be recommended. Inlays and onlays are like composite fillings in that they fill the hole left from removed decay and prevent further decay of the tooth. However, inlays and onlays are stronger than composite fillings because they are made of porcelain instead of composite materials. For patients who need more durable fillings an inlay or onlay may be a better choice.
Q: How can a broken tooth be repaired?A: Sometimes decay, injury, disease, or other factors can cause a tooth to be broken leaving you with a fractured smile, issues with talking or chewing, or oral health problems if the breakage is severe. It is important to repair broken teeth which are vulnerable to further decay or breakage. Our complete restorative dentistry services make it possible for you to have quality repairs to your broken teeth. An onlay is a stronger, more durable filling that can fill a cavity or root canal and replace structure of the outside of the tooth that may have been lost to decay with a porcelain material. Crowns are another option for covering broken teeth and protecting the remaining structure of a tooth. A crown covers the entire exposed portion of the tooth with a porcelain material which is specifically molded to replace a broken tooth with the shape of a healthy tooth. The porcelain is colored to match the surrounding teeth so that the crown is almost completely indistinguishable from a natural tooth.
Q: What should I do about a missing tooth?A: If you have ever had a missing tooth, you have experienced the inconvenience of eating and speaking without the proper tools and the embarrassment of an incomplete smile. Aside from these everyday dilemmas, missing teeth also contribute to alveolar atrophy—also called jawbone deterioration—and cause surrounding teeth to drift out of place. Alveolar atrophy occurs because the jawbone is missing the chewing stimulation it receives from a tooth. It happens more rapidly that other atrophy and the effects can cause serious implications for your mouth's appearance and functionality. Dental implants replace the missing teeth by fusing directly to the jawbone and recreating a chewing sensation that keeps jawbone shrinkage at bay. Dental implants also create a spacer which keeps surrounding teeth from drifting to accommodate for the hole that is left from a missing tooth. At Syosset Dental, we offer dental implant procedures that are effective in preventing jawbone atrophy and produce beautiful results. Dental implants are made to look, feel, and function just like natural teeth and can last for a lifetime with proper dental care. If you have a missing tooth, talk to Dr. Kobak about your options. With a commitment to patient education, he will give you a thorough diagnosis of your issue and discuss treatment plans that fit your needs.
Q:What if I have several chipped, broken, or decayed teeth?A: If you are experiencing several issues with your overall oral health, let Dr. Kobak and our compassionate team of professionals help you get back the oral health you need to live in overall good health. Full-mouth rehabilitation can help you get started on the right track to good oral health. Also known as a complete dental restoration or rejuvenation, full-mouth rehabilitation is a phased treatment plan that helps you set a goal for oral health and target problem areas to repair over time. Dr. Kobak will assess your case by taking digital X-rays, using intraoral cameras, and pinpointing decay with DIAGNOdent. Our technology will assist us in explaining diagnoses and problem areas thoroughly so that you do not have to pay for procedures you do not need. We will work with you to determine a treatment plan that fits your specific needs, finances, and busy schedule. Once you have had full-mouth rehabilitation, your mouth will function better, look better, and feel better.
Schedule Your Visit Today!
We invite you to call 516-433-2211 and make your appointment with Dr. Kobak. Whether you need a checkup, you’d like to discuss smile makeover procedures, or you’re interested in improving your oral health with restorative dentistry, Syosset Dental is here to help. Our office is conveniently located in Syosset, NY near all the major highways, easily accessible from almost any location in Nassau, Suffolk or New York City. Be sure to visit our blog and subscribe for updates, and join our conversation on Facebook, too!
