We all want beautiful smiles, but sometimes brushing and flossing aren’t enough to deliver. As we age, our teeth can become stained, cracked, or chipped. This doesn’t mean we can’t have the pristine smiles of our youth. Your Houston dentist, Dr. Deborah Gennero, explains how restorative dentistry repairs damage to teeth and will rejuvenate your smile.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is simply the methods used by Dr. Gennero to correct wear and tear on your teeth. Recent innovations in dentistry allow Dr. Gennero to apply crowns and fillings that look natural and repair the damage caused by severe tooth decay or other dental problems.
Common Restorative Procedures
Some of the most common restorative dental procedures include crowns, fillings, inlays, and onlays.
Crowns: Crowns are a cap that fits completely over a tooth. Dr. Gennero uses crowns made of porcelain, which blend seamlessly with natural teeth and offer long-lasting results. Porcelain crowns also allow us to preserve more healthy tooth structure.
Inlays and Onlays: Used for damage not extensive enough to warrant crowns, inlays and onlays allow your Houston dentist to repair damage from tooth decay, while keeping more of the healthy tooth intact. Inlays and inlays aren’t molded onto the tooth during the visit like fillings, but created in an off-site lab. Inlays are placed on cavities in the center, top of the tooth, while onlays are used to cover one or more of the points, or cusps, of the tooth, and may extend down a side of the tooth.
Tooth-colored Fillings: While metal fillings are common, they are also unattractive and over time can potentially crack or damage teeth. Dr. Gennero uses composite resin fillings. The special resin is shaded to the color of your tooth, and allows for a safer, metal-free, natural-looking tooth repair.
Your Houston Dentist Can Help
Most people don’t realize that maintaining your new fillings and crowns is simple. With preventive care, patients can protect their teeth and gums for a lifetime of good oral health. Always brush your teeth twice a day, and floss at least once. Rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash as well. These steps, combined with cutting down on foods and drinks with heavy sugar and starch content, will protect your teeth from harmful bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Always attend regular checkups with Dr. Gennero, this allows our team to watch for the early warning signs of tooth decay and gum disease, preserving your smile.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Houston Dentist
If you are interested in any of our cosmetic, restorative, or general dentistry procedures, call Dr. Gennero today for a consultation. Contact our Houston dentist office at (281)578-6200. We are proud to offer comprehensive dentistry to patients from Clear Lake to The Woodlands, including Katy, West Houston, Sugarland, the 77084 zip code, and surrounding neighborhoods.
