Thompson Advanced Dentistry is home to a team of experienced, dedicated, and knowledgeable dental professionals who can address your damaged or missing teeth with the highest standard of care. From minor chips and cracks to a full arch of missing teeth, we can help you restore a natural-looking and functional smile.
Dr. Joseph Thompson, a comprehensive dentist in Greeley, CO, has advanced training in diagnosing and treating complex dental concerns. He resolves these cases using restorative procedures, including implant dentistry. We can offer the convenience and consistency of care for the placement of dental implants with complete dental services under one roof.
Restorative Dentistry: What are the Benefits?
The comfort and stability of your bite play an important role in dental and overall health and well-being. Restorative dentistry restores lost, damaged, or decayed teeth to restore normal oral function. Depending on where the teeth are located in your mouth, missing or damaged teeth can make you unable to speak clearly or bite and chew your food properly.
Restorative dentistry allows you to keep your natural tooth structure. Advancements in restorative dentistry allow us to save teeth that may have been unable to be saved in the past. Keeping natural tooth structure provides many benefits to your oral health. Losing the tooth root compromises the strength and stability of your smile, leading to negative issues like bone loss.
Restorative dental care improves the aesthetics of your teeth as well. Treating missing and damaged teeth also restores the look of your smile. Tooth replacement fills empty gaps in your smile. You no longer have to struggle with self-confidence because of broken, worn-down, or missing teeth. We want to give you a smile you’re proud to show off. Just the act of smiling proudly can boost your self-esteem and mood.
Restorative care can be cost-effective in the long run and help prevent further oral health issues. If you have missing or decayed teeth, you’re more likely to experience further tooth decay and missing teeth. These problems can also impact the functionality of your bite, leading to further issues.
Treating restorative concerns today prevents more issues in the future that you have to pay for. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant prevents the need for orthodontics or other treatments to restabilize the bite. If you take care of your restoration properly, you won’t need to replace or repair it in the future, preventing more costs.
Restorative Dentistry Consultation
Dr. Thompson works with patients individually to evaluate needs, discuss cosmetic goals, and create a personalized treatment plan to restore oral health and wellness. Each patient’s mouth is unique, so we want to create a unique treatment plan. A restored smile supports long-term dental health and your best quality of life.
Have you been avoiding the dentist due to anxiety or fear? We welcome patients who wish to restore their oral health and offer dental sedation options as needed to allow you to receive the dental care you need in a relaxed environment.
Restorative dental treatments in our Greeley dentist office can include:
Dental Implants
Dental implants can restore your smile by replacing missing teeth with natural-looking, durable ones. The implant is a metal post that your dentist will place in your jawbone, acting like a tooth root. A dental crown is then attached, giving you a complete tooth that blends with your natural smile. We can also use implants to permanently secure bridges and dentures. Teeth implants are strong, long-lasting, and help prevent bone loss in your jaw, keeping your facial structure and smile healthy for years to come. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of teeth implants, see Dental Implants.
Dental Bridges
Dr. Thompson can use a dental bridge to restore your smile to replace some of your missing teeth. A custom bridge can fill in the gap left by missing teeth. It’s made of one or more false teeth and is held in place by crowns on the adjacent teeth. A dental bridge will help improve your appearance, makes eating and speaking easier, and prevents other teeth from shifting out of place. We ensure that your new teeth will blend in naturally with your smile to restore the function and look of your teeth. If you need to replace missing teeth, learn more about Dental Bridges.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a great solution to restore your smile. This dental restoration will cover a damaged or weakened tooth, protecting it and improving its appearance. We can custom create a tooth crown to match the shape and size of your remaining teeth. Our office creates high-quality porcelain crowns because they mimic the appearance of natural teeth. A custom tooth crown will strengthen a tooth weakened by decay, cracks, or large fillings, helping you chew and speak properly. With a crown, your tooth looks and functions just like it did before, restoring both health and beauty to your smile. Learn more about the dental crown process here, Dental Crown.
Periodontal Therapy
We offer periodontal disease therapy that will stop the infection in your gums and protect your teeth from damage. Our gum disease treatments aim to remove harmful bacteria, reduce inflammation, and prevent gum tissue from spreading further. By treating the infection early, the treatment can save your teeth, improve gum health, and prevent bone loss in the jaw. This keeps your mouth healthy and helps protect your overall dental health in the long run. To learn about the types of gum disease treatments we offer, see Periodontal Therapy.
TMJ Treatment
If you suffer from TMJ, treatment is vital for your oral health. We offer TMJ treatment because it helps relieve pain and discomfort caused by jaw joint problems. Without treatment, TMJ disorders can lead to headaches, jaw pain, and difficulty chewing or speaking. TMJ issues can also lead to worn down teeth due to grinding and clenching. TMJ treatment will help protect your teeth, relieve the tension in your jaw, and improve your jaw’s function. These benefits of treating your TMJ problems will ensure you remain in good oral health. If you want to learn more about the symptoms of TMJ, see TMJ Treatment.
Replacing teeth: What are the Options?
Missing teeth or teeth extracted for dental health reasons should typically be replaced as soon as possible to maintain the stability of your smile. Lost teeth leave patients vulnerable to additional dental problems, including shifting teeth, tooth decay, and gum disease. Prompt teeth replacement will help ensure a good outcome with the least invasive treatment options.
Having missing teeth can also impact the function of your bite, leading to problems with TMJ disorders. Your bite becomes uneven, impacting the way pressure is distributed throughout it. Other teeth are likelier to chip or break because more pressure is on them.
Dental bridges and dentures are the traditional methods for replacing lost teeth. They’re removable or fixed, secured with dental implants. The cosmetic dentures offered today vastly improve over those worn by earlier generations. They are customized to your appearance and made using advanced materials for a better fit and more stable dental health.
Implant dentistry offers the most natural tooth replacement choice. Dental implants can replace a single lost tooth or secure a bridge or denture. Mimicking many qualities of your natural teeth, dental implants will give you back the most natural chewing and speaking ability and complete confidence in the security of your new smile.
Restorative Dentistry FAQs
Dr. Thompson understands that undergoing any dental procedures can be overwhelming. This is why we put together a list of the common questions people ask him about restorative dentistry. We hope this section can provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your oral health.
How is restorative dentistry different from cosmetic dentistry?
Restorative dentistry is all about fixing teeth that have some kind of damage or decay. The treatments will help your mouth function correctly and feel better. Cosmetic dentistry is more about making your teeth look better, like whitening or straightening them.
While both types of dentistry can make your smile look better, restorative dentistry is more about fixing problems with your teeth. In comparison, cosmetic dentistry is more about making them look pretty.
What are the most common restorative dentistry treatments?
The most common restorative dental treatments are dental fillings, crowns, and dental implants. Dr. Thompson uses teeth fillings to fill cavities caused by decay. Dental crowns cover damaged or weak teeth to strengthen and protect them. Dental implants replace missing teeth by placing artificial teeth roots in the jawbone. These treatments will restore the function and appearance of teeth if you are missing teeth or have teeth with damage.
How do I know if I need restorative dental work?
You may need restorative dental work if you have cavities, chipped teeth, or pain in your mouth. Seeing your dentist is a good idea if you notice any of these things or have trouble eating, talking, or sleeping because of your teeth. They can check your teeth and suggest the best treatment to fix any problems. Taking care of your teeth is vital for keeping your smile healthy and strong.
Does dental insurance cover restorative dentistry?
Most dental insurance policies will cover restorative dental work, but it will depend on our specific plan. Restorative dentistry includes treatments that fix damaged or missing teeth. Some insurance plans may only cover basic cleanings and check-ups. We suggest that you check with your insurance provider to see what types of restorative dentistry are covered by your plan.
How long do dental restorations typically last?
Dental restorations usually last about 5 to 10 years. This timeline can vary depending on how well you take care of your teeth and the kind of material you use to create them. You must replace yours sooner if they get damaged or wear out. Attending your regular dental appointments will allow Dr. Thompson to check your restorations and ensure they’re still in good shape.
Can my diet impact how long my restorations last?
Yes, what you eat can affect how long your dental restorations last. Foods and drinks and with a lot of sugar and acid can damage your teeth and cause decay around your restorations, affecting their fit. Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits, veggies, and water can help keep your restorations in good shape. Also, you must brush and floss regularly too to maintain your oral health and help your restorations last longer.
What are the risks of delaying necessary restorative dental treatment?
Delaying treatment that is necessary will cause more harm later. Failure to address issues like cavities, infections, and minor chips and cracks could lead to greater pain, damage, and costly treatment in the future. Putting off treatment makes it harder and more costly to repair the problem.
Getting treatment early is vital to keep your mouth healthy and prevent bigger problems later. Seeing your dentist every six months will catch problems in the early stages, allowing Dr. Thompson to fix them right away.
Can restorative dental work change the way I speak or chew?
Restorative dentistry can also affect the way you chew or talk. When you get a filling or a crown, it will feel different in your mouth at first. This may make it slightly harder to chew or talk for a while. Your mouth will adjust over time, allowing you to chew and talk normally again.
Let’s talk! Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Thompson
The first step towards a new smile is a consultation with our dentist in Greeley, CO, to discuss your needs and aesthetic goals. Dr. Thompson welcomes new patients and works with those who desire to restore their smiles after years of avoiding dental care. Contact our office to schedule an appointment by calling 970.205.9614 or request one online.