Welcome to AV Sierra Dental Center, your premier destination for restorative dentistry in Palmdale, California. Our expert dentists, including Dr. Jason Oh, Dr. Shanne Sastiel, Dr. Michael Tran, Dr. Catherine Vu, and Dr. Hanseen, are committed to providing top-notch dental care tailored to your unique needs. Whether you require dental fillings, crowns, inlays, onlays, or other restorative procedures, our skilled professionals are devoted to restoring and enhancing your oral health. With a focus on patient comfort and utilizing the latest technologies, AV Sierra Dental Center is your trusted partner on the journey to a healthier, more radiant smile.

The Essence of Oral Health Care

Ensuring good oral health goes beyond just regular dental check-ups. It is an investment that protects one of your most visible assets, your smile, and helps prevent many health issues, from gum disease to heart complications. The field of restorative dentistry plays a crucial role in fixing problems and maintaining a standard of oral health that transcends mere hygiene.

What is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry addresses the myriad issues afflicting a person’s teeth, gums, and jaw. It involves several specialized procedures intending to rehabilitate oral health and restore the natural function and beauty of the patient’s smile.

The Functional and Aesthetic Facet of Restorations

Restorative dentistry is not just about filling cavities or repairing damaged teeth. It can transform a person’s entire facial appearance by addressing the loss of teeth, structural issues, and even specific medical conditions. The goal is to combine functionality – eating, speaking, and smirking confidently – with aesthetic beauty, giving patients a literal reason to smile.

Common Restorative Procedures

Let’s look closely at some of the most common restorative dental procedures and what they can do for you.

Fillings

Dental fillings are restorative materials dentists use to repair and restore teeth damaged by decay or trauma. The primary purpose of dental fillings is to replace the lost or compromised tooth structure, preventing further decay and restoring the tooth’s functionality. Commonly composed of materials such as amalgam, composite resin, gold, or porcelain, dental fillings are selected based on factors like the extent of the damage, location in the mouth, and patient preferences. Placing a filling involves removing the decayed or damaged portion of the tooth, cleaning the affected area, and then filling the space with the chosen restorative material. Dental fillings help restore the tooth’s natural appearance and contribute to maintaining oral health and preventing the progression of dental issues.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns, or caps, are protective coverings that encase a damaged or weakened tooth to restore its shape, size, strength, and overall functionality. Depending on the patient’s needs and preferences, these custom-made prosthetics are typically crafted from porcelain, ceramic, metal alloys, or a combination. Dental crowns are commonly used when a tooth has significant decay, fractures, large fillings, or after a root canal treatment.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are advanced dental prosthetics designed to replace missing teeth by providing a durable and permanent foundation for artificial teeth. Typically made of biocompatible materials such as titanium, dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, where they integrate with the surrounding bone tissue through osseointegration. This integration ensures stability and support for the prosthetic tooth or crown attached to the implant. Dental implants offer several advantages, including improved functionality, aesthetics, and oral health.

Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, implants do not rely on adjacent teeth for support, preserving the integrity of surrounding natural teeth. Additionally, they help prevent bone loss in the jaw, which can occur when a tooth is lost. While getting dental implants involves multiple stages and may require several months, the long-term benefits make them a popular and effective solution for individuals seeking a permanent and natural-looking tooth replacement.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are a type of dental prosthesis that combines the stability of dental implants with the convenience of dentures. Unlike traditional dentures that rest on the gums or rely on adhesive for support, implant-supported dentures are anchored securely to dental implants surgically placed in the jawbone. Four to six implants are strategically positioned in the jaw to provide a stable foundation. The dentures, customized to fit the patient’s mouth, are attached to these implants, allowing for a secure and snug fit. This innovative solution offers numerous advantages, including improved stability, enhanced chewing ability, and increased comfort for the wearer.

Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a dental procedure to treat and save a tooth with a damaged or infected pulp, which is the soft tissue containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue within the tooth. When the pulp becomes infected due to deep decay, cracks, or trauma, it can lead to severe pain and potential tooth loss if left untreated.

Root canals are crucial for alleviating pain, preventing the spread of infection, and preserving natural teeth that might otherwise require extraction. Despite the common misconception that root canals are painful, advancements in dental techniques and anesthesia make the procedure relatively comfortable for patients, and it is an effective way to retain a functional and healthy natural tooth.

Inlays and Onlays

Inlays and onlays are dental restorations used to repair and strengthen teeth damaged by decay or other structural issues. Both inlays and onlays are custom-made in a dental laboratory. They are typically crafted from materials like porcelain, composite resin, or gold—the key distinction between the two lies in the extent of the tooth coverage. Inlays are designed to fit within the contours of the tooth, specifically filling the space within the cusps (raised points) on the chewing surface. On the other hand, onlays cover a more significant portion of the tooth, extending over one or more cusps.

Inlays and onlays provide a conservative and aesthetically pleasing solution, preserving more of the natural tooth structure while effectively restoring its function and strength. The choice between inlays and onlays depends on the extent of the damage and the specific requirements of the patient’s dental situation.

Benefits of Restorative Dentistry

The benefits of restorative dentistry are multi-faceted, reaching beyond cosmetic enhancements.

Improved Functionality: Restorative procedures can vastly improve the ability to chew, speak, and digest food. By resolving issues created by missing or damaged teeth, patients regain a regular chewing pattern that can improve overall health.
Enhanced Aesthetics: The confidence and self-esteem that come with a beautiful smile are priceless. Restorative dentistry serves to improve not only physical health but also mental well-being through an enhanced aesthetic appearance.
Preservation of Natural Teeth: In many cases, restorative dentistry procedures save natural teeth, preventing the need for their extraction. This preservation is key to maintaining the integrity of the jaw structure.
Long-term Oral Health: Addressing dental issues promptly with restorative procedures can prevent more serious dental problems. In this sense, restorative dentistry’s focus on your teeth’ long-term health and longevity is invaluable.