Summary:
Restorative and cosmetic dentistry are two branches of modern dental science. Restorative dental dentistry focuses on restoring functionality, while cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing aesthetics.
These treatment approaches resolve different dental issues, making it essential to choose you with caution. But how do you make the right choice?
This blog is here to make this easier for you with a deeper insight into the differences between restorative and cosmetic dentistry with a focus on the following topics:
- Understanding Restorative Dentistry
- Understanding Cosmetic Dentistry
- Different Restorative Dentistry Procedures
- Different Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
- Difference Between Cosmetic And Restorative Dentistry
Continue reading as we learn more about the concept in the following sections.
Introduction:
Numbers show that less than 14% of Americans floss every day, and more than 90% of adults have had at least one cavity. These alarming figures highlight the importance of making proper care more accessible.
In most cases, people can get cosmetic or restorative care dental based on their unique needs. Before you choose either of these dental treatment approaches, learning and understanding them is essential.
Understanding Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry focuses on determining and addressing issues related to your teeth and mouth’s functions, aesthetics, and structures. Restorative dentists can repair tooth decay and missing or broken teeth to preserve their health and integrity while giving you the perfect smile.
It is your best bet in cases where you need to replace or restore a damaged tooth. There could be different reasons behind this damage, such as general wear, tooth decay, injection, or dental trauma. The primary reason to get dental restoratives is to enhance your cavity’s functionality and aesthetics while relieving you from pain.
Understanding Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic Dentistry Kansas City is another dentistry branch that focuses on enhancing visual appeal by working on your teeth, gums, and smile. This dentistry branch goes beyond conventional dentistry to strengthen your cavity and smile’s appeal, while conventional tactics dentistry is limited to enhancing functionalities.
The cosmetic dentist will first ask about your dental goals and examine your mouth and teeth to create the ideal cosmetic dental treatment plan. Every cosmetic dental treatment is designed to help one realize one’s personalized aesthetic goals and get a perfect smile with an aesthetic natural appeal.
Different Restorative Dentistry Procedures
One can benefit from many therapeutic dental procedures based on needs and requirements. Some of the best-known of these restorative dentistry procedures include:
- Dentures: These are removable dental appliances one can use to replace multiple missing teeth or an entire arch of teeth. Dentures help restore your facial aesthetics and the ability to chew food.
- Crowns: Crowns are custom-made oral restorations that protect and cover weakened or damaged cavities. These crowns help restore the tooth’s shape, appearance, and strength.
- Implants: These are another popular procedure that restorative dentists perform. These implants are permanent tooth replacements that mimic the look and feel of your natural resource. The dentist will drill the implant to your jawbone and attach a crown on the top for a natural look.
- Root Canal Treatment (RCT): RCT is one of the most common dental restorative procedures where the dentist will remove a damaged or infected tooth pulp. They will then clear the canal, seal it properly, and attach a crown on the top for better protection.
- Bridges: Dental bridges are another standard restorative dentistry procedure. This is where the dentist will replace your missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth adjacent to dental implants or natural teeth to compensate for the gap.
- Fillings: Dental fillings help repair any tooth or teeth affected by cavities or other relevant issues. The dentist will remove and fill the small decayed portion with durable composite resin.
Different Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures
As is the case with restorative dentistry, you can use many cosmetic dentistry procedures to your advantage and get the perfect smile. Some of the best-known of these treatments include:
- Gum Contouring: This is a unique procedure where the dentist will reshape and sculpt your gum line to enhance your smile. This prevents your smile from appearing gummy and helps you get a more appealing and symmetrical smile.
- Dental Veneers: Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded on the front surface of teeth. This helps hide potential imperfections and enhances your teeth’ shape, color, and overall appearance.
- Orthodontic Treatments: These are relatively advanced cosmetic procedures to correct teeth misalignment issues using conventional metal braces or clear aligners. This helps straighten your teeth and get you the perfect smile.
- Teeth Whitening: As the name suggests, this is a process of whitening your teeth by removing discoloration and stains from your teeth. This helps you get a brighter and more appealing smile for better self-confidence.
- Dental Bonding: This is also a cosmetic procedure where the dentist will apply a tooth-colored resin and sculpt it accordingly to remove minor imperfections. You can use bondings to repair tooth gaps, uneven edges, and chipped teeth.
- Smile Makeovers: This is one of the latest and most popular cosmetic dental procedures that takes a comprehensive treatment approach to enhance your smile. These comprehensive treatments focus on enhancing different aesthetic dental concerns.
Difference Between Cosmetic And Restorative Dentistry
There are three primary differences between cosmetic and restorative dentistry. Understanding these differences is key to making the right choice and getting the right treatment.
These differences include:
Treatment Focus
The first difference is the focus of the treatment, whereas cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing the aesthetics of your teeth and smile. On the other hand, restorative service dental offer restorative treatments with aesthetic enhancements wherever needed.
Treatment Approach
The next difference is the approach to treatment and its scope. Common cosmetic dentistry procedures include gum contouring, veneers, teeth whitening, dental bonding, and teeth straightening treatments. However, therapeutic dentistry treatments include implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, and root canal therapy.
Treatment Goal
The final difference between both is the end goal of undergoing the treatment. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on enhancing the aesthetics of your teeth and smile. Restorative services focus more on enhancing your teeth and mouth’s functionality and structure preservation.
Takeaway
- Restorative dentistry focuses on determining and addressing issues related to your teeth and mouth’s functions, aesthetics, and structures.
- Cosmetic dentistry is another branch that enhances visual appeal by working on your teeth, gums, and smiles.
- Cosmetic dentistry procedures include gum contouring, veneers, teeth whitening, bonding, and teeth straightening treatments.
- Restorative dentistry includes implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, and root canal therapy.
- Don’t let the options confuse or influence your treatment. Know more about different approaches to dentistry with our experts at the Dental Care Center of South Kansas City.