Restorative dentistry refers to procedures that repair or replace teeth, leaving you with dental work or prosthetics. This may include fillings, crowns, bridges, dental implants, or dentures–anything that restores the function and appearance of your smile.
If you’ve just had a restorative procedure, you may be wondering how to care for your dental work afterwards. Here’s a guide to cleaning and maintaining dental work to help your restoration last as long as possible.
What is Restorative Dental Work?
Restorative treatments provide solutions for teeth that are decayed, damaged, or missing. Examples include:
- Fillings. Tooth-colored composite material is used to fill cavities (holes or pits in the enamel) that occur due to decay.
- Crowns. A dental crown fits over an existing tooth that has significant decay or damage, keeping the natural root of the tooth in place for support.
- Dental bridges. A dental bridge can replace one or a few teeth in a row with a single dental prosthetic. A bridge consists of crowns that fit over the natural teeth on either side of the gap with artificial teeth suspended between them.
- Dental implants. A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed in the jaw to replace a tooth root. It fuses with the bone, forming an anchor to support a dental prosthetic.
- Dentures. Dentures replace some or all of the teeth in the upper or lower arch, sometimes both. Traditional dentures are removable, and implant supported dentures are sometimes fixed and sometimes removable.
Daily Care Tips for Restorative Dental Work
It is absolutely essential that you take proper care of your dental work to help it last and prevent the need for further treatment. Here are some tips for daily care:
- Brush twice a day to remove food residue and plaque from the surface of your teeth and along your gumline.
- Brush with non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristled tooth brush.
- Use specialized brushes to clean around and under dental work, such as round brush heads.
- Floss between teeth and under dental work daily. Consider using a water flosser to reach the spaces between and under dental prosthetics.
- For removable dentures, be sure to clean and soak them daily to remove bacteria.
Dietary Considerations
It is also important to be mindful about what you eat when you have dental work. Here are some suggestions when it comes to diet:
- Avoid hard and sticky foods that may loosen fillings or cling to dental work.
- Minimize acidic foods and beverages that can damage dental prosthetics.
- Eat a diet rich in nutrients, calcium, and protein to help keep teeth strong and healthy.
The Importance of Regular Checkups and Maintenance
In addition to self care, professional dental care is also critical to the long term success of your dental work. You should see your dentist at least twice a year for cleanings and dental checkups. This allows your dentist to detect any early signs of wear or damage to your dental work before they can become bigger problems.
Handling Common Issues
If you experience problems related to your dental work, contact us at Zuri Dental. For non-urgent issues you can wait until regular office hours. However, if you are in pain or the situation becomes more serious, call us at any time and follow the after hours voicemail instructions. We are happy to address urgent dental problems when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restorative Dental Work
What should I do if I lose a filling?
Temporary dental cement can be purchased at your local pharmacy to place over the lost filling until you can get to the dentist. It can reduce pain and sensitivity.
Can a loose crown be recemented?
In some cases a loose crown can be recemented successfully, and in other cases it may not. If there is damage to the crown or to the tooth material beneath it, a new crown may need to be made.
Zuri Dental provides the highest quality restorative treatments available in dentistry. Our dental team will help you learn how to care for your dental work for the utmost function and longevity. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We are here to help in whatever way we can, either over the phone or through an in-person appointment.
