Cosmetic and restorative dentistry has a lot in common. Both are used to restore damaged, decayed, or missing teeth. Both can be handled by a general dentist, too.
However, how are the two differentiated if cosmetic and restorative dentistry are so similar? What is most significant with these distinctions that affect their prices? A straightforward explanation of cosmetic and restorative dentistry’s primary differences and similarities is here to address these questions.
Cosmetic vs. Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is defined as any dental procedure that focuses on repairing or restoring damaged oral structures. Cosmetic dentistry, nevertheless, focuses on visual appeals or the appearance of your smile. These two overlap since restorative treatments can offer aesthetic benefits, so here is a side-by-side comparison.
Purpose of Treatment
As stated, restorative dentistry focuses on function. Restorative dental treatments deal with decaying, damaged, or missing teeth to regain effective function. Along with these, it likewise protects oral and bone health. Usual treatments are root canals followed by dental crowns or dentures. These prosthetics are more inexpensive and practical for most people.
On the other hand, cosmetic dentistry is everything about your smile. Procedures aim to improve the teeth’s shape, color, or size. There are treatments, like veneers or laser gum removal, that do not do anything to enhance function. They can only be done when overall oral health is remarkable.
Need and Urgency
Restorative dentistry is essential. Treatments should be done at the earliest possible time to prevent long-term damage such as drooping facial muscles and jaw bone degeneration. Restorative dental care also fixes problems such as pain, swelling, etc. Procedures and prosthetics, like partial dentures, can offer you an opportunity to have excellent and lasting oral health.
Cosmetic dentistry procedures are more elective, which means there is no urgency for the treatments. Most people decide to have treatments when they are not content with the appearance of their teeth. They undergo procedures when they wish to modify their teeth’s color, shape, or alignment. Such procedures can be veneers, teeth whitening, and laser gum removal.
Materials Used
Materials utilized in restorative dentistry are durable because they need to endure the exact same beating natural teeth go through. There are more inexpensive choices for crowns, dentures, and bridges. Some can be made of acrylic resin, like the dental bridge at Foote Dental, which is reasonably priced.
Restorative dentistry can jump over to cosmetic dentistry. If there is a need for prosthetics, dentists can make these from porcelain or dental composite resin that can match the color and translucency of the patient’s natural teeth. This makes cosmetic treatments somewhat more pricey because of the materials and artistry that come with them.
Considering a Treatment?
Seek advice from your dentist. The dentist should check for cavities, chips and cracks, and gum health. If you wish to pursue a cosmetic treatment, your dentist must resolve the other concerns first. Restorative dentistry is the first step, whether you need fillings, root canals, etc. As soon as your mouth is totally healthy, you can go on to explore cosmetic treatments and get the ideal smile you desire.
