How to Care for Dental Restorations

Whether you have a small cavity or need to replace a full row of teeth, you can rest assured that there is a dental treatment that can meet your needs. The team here at our Orange County cosmetic dentistry center is able to use the most advanced technology and therapies available in order to enhance the appearance as well as the health of your smile.

What are dental restorations?

Dental restorations is a broad term to describe various treatments that restore tooth structure on a damaged tooth or even the whole tooth itself. Some of them are restorative in nature, such as dentures and dental bridges, which are used to replace missing teeth. Others are more cosmetic in nature, such as porcelain dental veneers, which can mask chips, cracks, major stains, and minor misalignments. Others still are meant to address varying degrees of tooth decay, such as dental fillings, inlays, onlays, and dental crowns.

How are these dental restorations crafted and placed?

The crafting of the dental restorations really depends on the nature of the restoration. In the past, all dental restorations were created at an off-site dental lab. This meant impressions would need to be taken and the patient would need to wear a temporary restoration for roughly a week or two while the permanent restoration was being created.

Now with CEREC® dental restoration technology, you can get dental crowns, inlays, onlays, and other basic dental restorations crafted in just one day. That means no need to schedule multiple visits--the dental practice is essentially it’s own dental lab. It’s quick, convenient, and great for dentist and patient alike.

Caring for Basic Dental Restorations

With basic dental restorations, the basic rule to keep in mind is that maintaining good general dental hygiene is key. That means brushing you teeth at least twice a day (ideally after every meal) and flossing regularly. You should also visit our cosmetic dentists in Orange County twice a year for checkups and regular maintenance.

Caring for Dental Bridges and Dentures

If you have dental bridges and dentures in place, there are some special instructions to keep in mind. For one, you’ll want to remove these dental restorations when you brush your teeth or floss. Doing so will allow you to access all the nooks and crannies of your teeth and remove any food particles or plaque build up.

As for the restorations themselves, it’s important that you brush the restorations clean and also soak them in denture cleaner as instructed. This will help keep bacteria at a reasonable level in the mouth, remove unwanted food particles from the restoration, and prevent the dental restorations from smelling bad.

Other Issues to Consider

If you get Orange County dental implants to support your teeth, good dental hygiene is a must to ensure your implants remain healthy. After the surgery, you’ll need to follow out care instructions closely. After healing, however, regular brushing and flossing is key. You’ll want to delicately brush around the abutments and surrounding teeth. Regular dentist visits are also very important.

Contact Our Practice to Learn More About Dental Care Treatments

To learn more about caring for your dental restorations and other important dental care factors, be sure to contact our Orange County cosmetic dentists today.