Get Your Teeth to Their Healthy Glory with Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry in San Diego, California, is an excellent way to rebuild your teeth after disease, injury, or decay. Restorative dental care uses fillings, onlays, partial crowns, full crowns, bridges, and other treatments to restore your smile’s function and aesthetics.
Think of restorative dentistry as repairing an old house. Just like an old house might need repairs to its walls, roof, and fixtures, your teeth might need treatments to restore their function and appearance. Pearls of Dentistry offers restorative dentistry to ensure you can chew, smile, and eat without pain. If you have damaged, missing, or otherwise compromised teeth, schedule an appointment today with Drs. Lynne Thomas and Juergen Langenbach to restore your smile to its former glory.
What are our restorative dentistry options?
Tooth damage never happens predictably. Our services include several restorative options to provide a solution for every smile. Rebuild, refresh, and revitalize your dentition with the following restorative options.
- Dental fillings: We repair cavities and minor tooth damage with tooth-colored (composite or ceramic) fillings. Unlike amalgams used in the past, composite fillings are engineered from safe, biocompatible materials. Placing a dental filling is a painless and fast procedure that only requires one visit.
- Inlays/Onlays: Sometimes, you may have tooth damage that is significant for a typical composite filling but doesn’t warrant a full dental crown. Our team restores your tooth conservatively for these in-between cases with a ceramic dental inlay or onlay. This lab-made restoration repairs damage within the chewing surface and extends to one or more cusps. Indirect fillings restore your tooth’s function and appearance without invasive tooth preparation.
- Full dental crowns: Also known as a dental cap, a full dental crown reinforces the remaining tooth structure to restore your tooth’s size, shape, and health. The dental crown is designed to match the color of your tooth for a seamless appearance. Dental crowns have numerous uses in dentistry. Our dentist can use dental crowns to repair damaged teeth, replace missing teeth, and enhance aesthetically appealing teeth.
- Implants: Have you lost one or more teeth? You no longer have to smile, eat, or speak with discomfort. A dental implant rebuilds your entire tooth to restore its function and aesthetics like natural teeth. An implant is a titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone to support a crown, denture, or bridge. What does this mean for you? Dental implants can replace one tooth or an entire arch of missing teeth.
- Bridges: A dental bridge uses a set of prosthetic teeth to span a gap between two healthy teeth or implants. Our dental bridges are created with excellent precision and high-quality materials to replicate your smile’s function and appearance to near perfect.
- Bone grafting: A bone graft replenishes lost bone tissue to stabilize your jawbone after losing its volume and density to dental trauma, gum disease, or tooth loss.
- Full mouth reconstruction: Also known as full mouth restoration, full mouth rehabilitation restores your dentition’s function and aesthetics when faced with severe and ongoing issues.
What are the benefits of restorative dental care?
Restorative dentistry repairs your gums and teeth to their prime state. With restorative dentistry, you can:
- Eat and enjoy all your favorite foods again
- Smile with confidence
- Look younger and vibrant
- Improve your overall health
- Prevent further oral health issues
Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Dentistry
What types of dental problems can restorative dentistry fix?
Restorative dentistry addresses many issues, including cavities, cracked or broken teeth, worn-down teeth, and missing teeth. Treatments can range from simple fillings and crowns to bridges, dentures, and implant-supported restorations designed to restore your smile’s function, comfort, and natural appearance.
Who performs restorative dental treatments at Pearls of Dentistry?
Both Drs. Thomas and Langenbach provide restorative procedures. They combine their years of expertise and use the latest techniques to deliver personalized care that focuses on repairing and replacing damaged teeth while maintaining overall oral health and natural smile aesthetics.
What is the difference between fillings, inlays/onlays, and crowns?
Fillings are used for smaller areas of decay or damage and involve bonding tooth-colored material directly to your tooth. Inlays and onlays are lab-crafted restorations covering a larger portion of the tooth but preserving more natural structure than crowns. Crowns cover weakened or broken teeth fully, providing strength, protection, and improved function.
Which restorative option is right for me?
Drs. Thomas and Langenbach will carefully evaluate your tooth’s condition and discuss your preferences to recommend the best solution. If the damage is minimal, a filling may be enough. An inlay, onlay, or crown may be necessary for more extensive damage to protect the tooth and restore full function. They always tailor treatments to your unique needs.
Can restorative dentistry replace missing teeth?
Yes, restorative dentistry includes solutions like dental bridges, dentures, and implant-supported restorations to replace one or more missing teeth. These options restore your ability to chew and speak properly while preventing neighbouring teeth from shifting, helping you maintain a healthy bite and jaw alignment.
Are the restorations noticeable, or do they blend with my natural teeth?
All restorations at Pearls of Dentistry are designed to match your natural teeth in colour, shape, and size. Using high-quality materials and the latest techniques, Drs. Thomas and Langenbach ensure your restorations look seamless and natural and enhance your smile’s overall appearance.
What materials are used in restorative dentistry?
We use durable, tooth-colored materials like composite resin for fillings and ceramic for crowns, inlays, and onlays. For dentures and bridges, we select materials that provide strength and esthetic appeal to give you a confident, natural-looking smile that can last many years with proper care.
How long do restorative treatments take to complete?
Treatment times vary based on the procedure. Simple fillings can be done in one visit, while crowns, bridges, and dentures may require multiple appointments for preparation, fitting, and placement. To save time, same-day restorations with CEREC technology are also available for certain crowns and inlays.
How should I care for my restorations at home?
Restorations require the same care as natural teeth. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and visit Pearls of Dentistry regularly for professional cleanings and checkups. Avoid chewing hard objects like ice or pens to prevent damage to your restorations, and maintain good oral hygiene habits to prolong their lifespan.
Can restorative dentistry improve my overall oral health?
Absolutely. Repairing damaged teeth and replacing missing ones helps restore proper bite alignment and chewing function, reduces the risk of further dental issues, and supports overall oral health. A healthy smile also boosts your confidence and quality of life by improving your ability to eat, speak, and socialize comfortably.
Do your teeth need restorative work?
If you have damaged or missing teeth, it's time to feel like yourself again. Call (858) 451-4413 to schedule an appointment with Pearls of Dentistry for restorative dental care.
