Restorative Dentistry in Plymouth, NH
Repair Damaged Teeth and Restore Comfortable Function
Dental problems can affect much more than the appearance of your smile. Decay, fractures, infection, worn teeth, and missing teeth can make it difficult to eat comfortably and may place additional stress on the rest of your mouth.
Restorative dentistry is focused on repairing or replacing teeth so that your smile functions more predictably.
Pemi Baker Family Dental provides restorative dentistry in Plymouth, NH, ranging from treatment for an individual damaged tooth to more comprehensive rehabilitation involving several teeth.
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry includes procedures used to repair damaged teeth, treat dental disease, and replace teeth that are no longer present.
The appropriate treatment depends on:
- How much healthy tooth structure remains
- Whether the tooth is infected
- The condition of the surrounding bone and gums
- How the tooth affects your bite
- Whether neighboring teeth are healthy
- Your long-term oral health goals
- Your preferences and budget
Our dentists will evaluate the complete situation before recommending treatment.
Conditions Restorative Dentistry Can Address
You may benefit from restorative treatment if you have:
The appropriate treatment depends on:
- Tooth decay
- A cracked, chipped, or broken tooth
- A severely worn tooth
- An infected tooth
- A failing filling or restoration
- A loose or damaged crown
- One or more missing teeth
- Uncomfortable or unstable dentures
- Difficulty chewing
- Several dental problems requiring coordinated treatment
Delaying care can allow decay, fractures, or infections to progress. Earlier evaluation may provide more opportunities to preserve the natural tooth.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown covers and protects the visible portion of a damaged or weakened tooth.
A crown may be recommended when a tooth:
- Has a large area of decay
- Contains a large or failing filling
- Is cracked or structurally weakened
- Has undergone root canal treatment
- Is severely worn
- Needs improvement in shape or appearance
- Is being restored over a dental implant
The tooth is prepared so that the crown can fit securely and function properly with the opposing teeth. The restoration is then designed to reproduce the size, shape, and appearance of a natural tooth.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge replaces one or more missing teeth using a fixed restoration.
Traditional bridges generally use neighboring teeth for support. Implant-supported bridges use dental implants rather than natural teeth to support the replacement teeth.
A bridge can help:
- Close a visible gap
- Improve chewing function
- Reduce unwanted movement of neighboring teeth
- Restore support within the bite
- Provide a fixed alternative to a removable partial denture
The health of the supporting teeth, gums, and bone must be evaluated before determining whether a bridge is appropriate.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlays and onlays are custom restorations used when a tooth needs more repair than a conventional filling can provide but may not require a full crown.
An inlay fits within the raised portions of the tooth. An onlay covers one or more cusps and can restore a larger damaged area.
These restorations may help preserve more natural tooth structure than a crown in appropriately selected cases.
Root Canal Treatment
Inside each natural tooth is soft tissue commonly referred to as the dental pulp. Deep decay, fractures, trauma, or other damage can allow this tissue to become inflamed or infected.
Root canal treatment removes the affected tissue, cleans and seals the internal space, and allows the outer portion of the tooth to remain in place.
A crown may be recommended afterward to protect the tooth from additional structural damage.
Symptoms that may indicate the need for evaluation include:
- Persistent tooth pain
- Lingering sensitivity to hot or cold
- Pain when biting
- Swelling near a tooth
- A recurring bump on the gums
- Darkening of a tooth
- A deep cavity or fracture
Only an examination can determine whether root canal treatment is appropriate.
Tooth Extractions
Our priority is to preserve natural teeth when they can be restored predictably. However, extraction may be appropriate when a tooth is too damaged to repair or presents a continuing risk to oral health.
A tooth may require removal because of:
- Severe decay
- Extensive fracture
- Advanced infection
- Significant bone loss
- Failed previous treatment
- Lack of adequate space
- A poor long-term prognosis
Before removing a tooth, your dentist will discuss why extraction is being recommended and whether the tooth should be replaced afterward.
Dentures
Dentures replace several missing teeth or an entire arch of teeth.
Available options may include:
- Complete Dentures: Used when all teeth in the upper or lower arch are missing.
- Partial Dentures Used when some healthy natural teeth remain.
- Implant-Supported Dentures: Attached to dental implants for greater stability than a conventional removable denture.
The appropriate design depends on the number of missing teeth, the condition of the remaining teeth, jawbone anatomy, and the level of stability desired.
Dental Implants
Dental implants replace missing tooth roots and provide support for crowns, bridges, or full-arch restorations.
Implant treatment may be used to replace:
- One missing tooth
- Several neighboring teeth
- An unstable removable denture
- Most or all teeth in an arch
Dental implants are not automatically the correct solution for every patient. Your dentist must evaluate your bone, gum health, medical history, remaining teeth, and treatment goals.
Full-Mouth Reconstruction
Some patients have several overlapping dental problems rather than one isolated concern.
Full-mouth reconstruction combines appropriate restorative procedures into a coordinated treatment plan. It may be considered for patients with:
- Multiple missing teeth
- Extensive decay
- Numerous broken or failing restorations
- Severely worn teeth
- Bite-related damage
- Unstable dentures
- A combination of functional and cosmetic concerns
Treatment may involve crowns, bridges, implants, dentures, root canals, extractions, or other procedures. Care is usually organized into phases based on urgency and treatment sequence.
What to Expect From Your Restorative Consultation
Your appointment may include:
- 1. A discussion of your primary concerns
- 2. A review of your dental and health history
- 3. An examination of your teeth, gums, and bite
- 4. Necessary dental imaging
- 5. Identification of urgent and non-urgent problems
- 6. Discussion of appropriate treatment options
- 7. Development of a phased treatment plan when needed
Our team will explain why each procedure is being considered and what role it plays in the larger treatment plan.
Have any questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a severely damaged tooth always be saved?
No. Some teeth are too fractured, decayed, infected, or unsupported to restore predictably. An examination is necessary to determine whether the tooth can be repaired or should be removed.
Is a crown better than a filling?
Neither treatment is automatically better. A filling may be appropriate for a smaller area of damage. A crown provides more coverage when a tooth has lost significant structure or requires additional protection.
Should a missing tooth always be replaced?
Not every space requires identical treatment, but missing teeth can affect chewing, appearance, tooth movement, and bite stability. Your dentist can explain the likely consequences of leaving the space untreated.
What is the best way to replace a missing tooth?
Options may include a bridge, partial denture, complete denture, or dental implant. The best choice depends on your oral health, anatomy, preferences, and budget.
Can restorative treatment be completed in stages?
Yes. When several procedures are needed, treatment can often be divided into phases. Urgent infections, pain, and unstable teeth are generally addressed before elective or cosmetic concerns.
Restore Your Smile in Plymouth, NH
Damaged and missing teeth rarely improve without treatment. Schedule an evaluation with Pemi Baker Family Dental to understand the condition of your smile and review your restorative options.