×
Prices About Us Contact Education
Recommendations
Dental hygiene (for at home) Teeth whitening instructions Post-procedure care instructions (extraction) Service offer
Services
Dental Hygiene Dental Hygiene Restorative Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Dental Surgery Dental Surgery Teeth Whitening Teeth Whitening Dental Prothetics Dental Prothetics Dental Implants Dental Implants Pediatric Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry General Anesthesia General Anesthesia
Book appointment
Mo - Th 8:00 - 15:00
Fr 8:00 - 15:00
Sa - Su Closed

Restorative Dentistry

Dental Hygiene

Restorative dentistry, also known as conservative dentistry, deals with the treatment of hard dental tissues (teeth).

Tissue changes can occur due to tooth decay or injuries and their complications. The goal of conservative dentistry is to preserve your natural teeth.

With regular preventive measures such as brushing and check-ups, we aim to detect any potential problems early. We use minimally invasive procedures like fillings and remineralization to keep your teeth in the most natural condition possible.

Tooth Decay

Dental Hygiene

Tooth decay (Latin: caries dentis) is a disease of the hard dental tissues, manifested by the breakdown of enamel and dentin. Tooth decay is caused by oral microorganisms, known as cariogenic microorganisms, most commonly species Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus.

Tooth Decay: How It Develops and How It Is Treated

Tooth decay is essentially an infectious disease, occurring when the tooth enamel is damaged, most often by acids produced by bacteria in dental plaque. Although teeth are the hardest material in the human body, even enamel is not immune to bacterial effects. Why does tooth decay occur, how is it treated, and what happens if you avoid the dentist?

Bacteria and food residues accumulate on the teeth, forming dental plaque. These bacteria produce acids that start to erode the enamel and dentin (the layer beneath the enamel), gradually creating cavities in the teeth. Sugary foods and drinks contribute the most to the production of harmful acids. Proper tooth cleaning removes dental plaque, including from interdental spaces.

Tooth Inflammation: Causes and Treatment

When one neglects the symptoms of tooth decay, they may eventually experience tooth inflammation or pulpitis. This is an inflammation of the dental pulp, manifested by severe throbbing pain radiating to the temple or the entire jaw. Severe swelling, fever, and headache may also occur. The cause is deep tooth damage due to tooth decay. The treatment of tooth inflammation depends on the stage at which the patient visits their dentist:

  • The initial stage of tooth inflammation requires treating the tooth decay and removing the infected decayed areas.
  • In cases of acute tooth inflammation with intense pain, it is necessary to remove the infected dental pulp and fill the root canal with a filling material, known as root canal cleaning (endodontics).
  • The final stage is chronic pulpitis, where the affected tooth dies. Although a dead tooth is not painful, the inflammation can spread through the root canals into the bone and cause tissue inflammation around the tooth tip. Subsequent issues (periodontitis) will cause recurring pain and other complications, so it is crucial to treat the inflammation.

The Three Most Common Ways to Treat a Decayed Tooth

1. Tooth Drilling

Drilling involves mechanically removing the decayed tooth tissue. The drilled part is filled with a suitable filling material, which can be amalgam, composite, ceramic, or precious metal. There are no nerve endings in the enamel, so surface cavities can be treated without local anesthesia. Pain may only occur when the dentist approaches the dentin boundary, which is why most practices offer anesthesia for more comfortable treatment and reduced patient anxiety. The drilling time depends on the size of the cavity, as sometimes the tooth is affected not only on the chewing surface but also in the interdental space. Quality work can take 30 to 60 minutes.

2. Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

If the tooth is severely damaged and the nerves are affected, root canal treatment is performed. The dentist cleans the root canals, widens them, and disinfects them. They must then be filled with a suitable material. Root canal treatment is a lengthy procedure. Treating one canal takes about an hour, and their number varies depending on the tooth and the structure of your dentition. Canines typically have 1 – 2 canals, while molars can have 3 – 4. Therefore, the treatment may be divided into multiple visits, but the result is worth it – especially after inflammation, it is often the only way to save the affected tooth.

3. Tooth Extraction

When a tooth can no longer be saved, it must be extracted. Despite common fears, modern dentistry makes tooth extraction quick and painless. The dentist will first inquire about your health and medications to rule out potential future problems. Anesthesia is administered around the affected tooth, so you will only feel pressure but no pain. An experienced dentist will complete the procedure in about 15 minutes.

Discomfort usually occurs at home after the anesthesia wears off, typically involving pain and facial swelling. You will need to eat cold, softer food for a while and apply a cold compress to your face. The pain should be manageable with over-the-counter painkillers, but if it persists or you develop a fever, contact your dentist again. Later, the extracted tooth can be replaced with a bridge or fixed dental prosthesis.

Prices

Show Complete Price List

Frequently Asked Questions

Interproximal decay occurs in the spaces between teeth where a regular toothbrush cannot reach, allowing bacteria to multiply. These cavities are quite insidious because they are not visible, and people often do not know they have them. You discover them when the tooth becomes sensitive due to bacterial activity, as it affects not only the enamel but also the dentin. X-rays are used to detect interproximal decay. Certain signs include:

  • White or yellowish spots on teeth
  • Tooth sensitivity to cold
  • Bad breath
  • Change in taste in the mouth

The biggest problem is that you cannot recognize the initial stage of tooth decay because it has no symptoms – it can only be detected by X-ray during a preventive dental check-up. This is why regular visits are essential. You will save yourself many future worries about a painful tooth and save money on the complex treatment of advanced decay. The first signs are white spots on the teeth with a rougher surface, which is good for plaque retention.
At this stage, tooth decay is just forming and can still be stopped. In the advanced stage, tooth decay is already visible, and the tooth is more sensitive to hot and cold foods or drinks. If the tooth hurts continuously and intensely, the damage is deeper, and the decay has reached the nerve or developed into inflammation.

It simply happened. You have a cavity, and you are faced with the prospect of the dentist with pliers. Few people visit the dentist without a knot in their stomach, but fortunately, times have changed, and it is no longer as dramatic. Before extraction is considered, the dentist will try to save the tooth with traditional drilling or, if necessary, endodontic treatment of the root canals. This is a more time-efficient and cost-effective solution than extracting the tooth and replacing it with a relatively expensive implant or bridge.

Yes, children can and should undergo restorative dentistry. It is essential for their overall dental health and the prevention of tooth decay.

Regular restorative dentistry helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and keeps teeth healthy and clean. It also helps detect potential oral issues early.

What Our Patients Say

Other services

Check out the other services we offer at 29Dent.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening
General Anesthesia

General Anesthesia
Dental Hygiene

Dental Hygiene
Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry
next

Show More

Schedule Your Restorative Dentistry Appointment

Contact us today to book your appointment for professional restorative dentistry.

Contact Us Book appointment
questions

Do you have any questions?

Contact Us!