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Your McKinney, Texas oral surgeon can complete a variety of procedures to help you have a better smile and feel healthier and more confident. Two of the most common types of procedures that the professional team at NextGen OMS complete are restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. While some dentists may be able to complete many cosmetic dentistry procedures, a combination of restorative and cosmetic dentistry can help reduce pain from damaged or infected teeth and give you a bright, beautiful smile.

Some people use the terms cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry interchangeably, but there are a few key differences between the two. At NextGen OMS, our oral surgeons complete many complicated restorative dentistry procedures, including cases that may be too hard for a regular dentist to handle. We can also complete the cosmetic procedures afterward, repairing your smile and making it easier to talk and chew.

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry refers to several different types of procedures aimed at removing damaged or infected teeth and restoring the mouth to a healthy condition. Many restorative dentistry procedures include prosthodontic procedures, those in which an artificial or replacement tooth is created and installed in the mouth.

On the whole, restorative dentistry focuses on the mouth as a whole, and general management of oral health. While many restorative dental procedures can make your mouth look better, especially those that focus on repairing or replacing teeth, this practice seeks to improve the functionality of the mouth overall, instead of just improving the appearance. And, while many licensed dentists can perform some restorative procedures, for the most comprehensive service, look for an oral surgeon who has a specialty in prosthodontics, a specialty that covers bridges, crowns, fillings, implants, and dentures.

Tooth replacement from a restorative dentist may take one of two forms.

Direct Replacement

Direct tooth replacement is the term used for placing a filling into a tooth cavity. It’s a fairly straightforward procedure and is often completed with a numbing agent. This is a same-day procedure that involves removing the decay and then sealing the tooth, topping it with either glass, resin, or composite filling to protect the rest of the tooth and restore functionality.

Indirect Replacement

Indirect tooth replacement is the complete or partial replacement of the tooth with a crown, inlay, or only. For a partial restoration, an inlay or onlay will be placed on the crown, including the chewing surface, if necessary. This restores the appearance and functionality of the tooth. If a tooth is missing, severely damaged, or rotted enough, then a full restoration will happen, with a crown on top of what part of the tooth can be preserved. These types of procedures typically take more than one dental visit to McKinney, TX to accomplish, although general numbing is used each time. 

What Is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic dentistry focuses more on the appearance of your mouth, versus fixing damaged teeth. Generally, cosmetic dentistry is practiced on those with healthy teeth, using techniques to improve the color, alignment, shape, and size of the teeth, or the gums and general bite. Gaps in the teeth, staining, too-large or to-small gums, and uneven teeth are issues that can be corrected by cosmetic dentistry.

Some of the more common cosmetic dentistry procedures include crowns and veneers, bonding, teeth whitening, implants, and inlays or onlays.

Other Oral Surgery Procedures

While many of the procedures from your oral surgeon have to do with replacing teeth and enhancing the appearance and performance of the teeth that are in your mouth, other specialty services from an oral surgeon are more intense and involve comprehensive, invasive operations on the jaw and gums.

Dental Implants

Dental implants, permanent replacements of missing teeth, can be performed by an oral surgeon. If you’ve lost a tooth due to decay or an accident, a dental implant may be a better choice than simply having a bridge or dentures. Implants consist of a titanium “root”, screwed into the jaw, and topped with a composite or porcelain replacement tooth. The benefits of dental implants are many. First, once the implant heals, it’s virtually indiscernible from your normal teeth, and the composite crown can be colored to match the color of your other teeth. Implants can be cleaned just like natural teeth, including brushing and flossing. Plus, having an implant instead of a replacement sitting on top of the gum maintains the health of your jaw – the tooth root encourages bone growth and structure. Without the teeth in the jaw, the bones will begin to thin and deteriorate. Finally, implants keep the other teeth from shifting into the empty space, maintaining the healthy alignment of your bite.

Wisdom Tooth Extraction

A fully developed wisdom tooth may be extracted by a regular dentist, but for many people, wisdom teeth may not fully come in or may come in at an angle. More complicated cases include impacted wisdom teeth. Too many teeth in the mouth can lead to crowding, which leads to misalignment of the bite. Crowding in the mouth can also cause chronic headaches and soreness. Removing wisdom teeth is typically the job of an oral surgeon.

TMJ Treatment

Only oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS surgeons) are licensed to treat problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMJ issues involve a jaw that’s misaligned and is characterized by a popping sound when the mouth opens and closes and sometimes difficulty fully opening the mouth. More severe TMJ issues can include chronic pain and ache around the joints and even “lockjaw” where the mouth can’t open.

Your oral surgeon can create a treatment plan for your TMJ issues, including arthroscopic surgery where the joints are repaired and realigned. Less invasive treatments can include lifestyle changes and regular examinations as to the progression of the condition.

Schedule Your Consultation Today!

The specialists and oral surgeon at NextGen OMS in McKinney, TX can help treat a variety of oral health concerns. If you have pain in your jaw or chronic headaches, it may be due to the condition of your teeth. Or, you may have a complicated dental procedure that restorative dentistry can fix. Give us a call today to schedule your FREE consultation!