Restorative Dentistry

Understanding Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing or replacing teeth that are damaged, decayed, or missing. Unlike cosmetic procedures that primarily improve appearance, restorative treatments address structural problems that affect how your mouth functions. That said, modern restorative dentistry looks great too—nobody wants a gold crown standing out when tooth-colored options exist.

Common restorative procedures we provide include:

Dental crowns to protect and strengthen damaged teeth
Bridges to replace missing teeth using adjacent teeth as anchors
Dental implants for permanent tooth replacement
Dentures for multiple missing teeth
Inlays and onlays for larger cavities
Root canal therapy to save infected teeth

Dr. Anirudh Patel, Dr. Jennifer Zhou, and Dr. Sandeep (Sunny) Konda all have extensive experience in restorative procedures, so you’re getting skilled hands no matter which doctor performs your treatment.

When You Need a Dental Crown

Crowns are like protective caps that cover your entire tooth from the gum line up. You might need one when a tooth is cracked, severely decayed, weakened after a root canal, or broken from injury. The crown restores the tooth’s shape, strength, and appearance while preventing further damage.

We use tooth-colored materials that match your natural teeth, so nobody spots the restoration unless you point it out. The process typically takes two visits—one to prepare the tooth and place a temporary crown, another to fit and cement the permanent one. Modern crowns last 10-15 years or longer with proper care, making them a reliable solution for compromised teeth.

Some people put off getting a crown because the tooth doesn’t hurt, but here’s the thing: waiting often makes the problem worse. A cracked tooth can split further, turning a straightforward crown procedure into something more complicated (and expensive). Getting it handled early saves you trouble down the road.

Bridges: Filling Gaps Where Teeth Used to Be

Missing a tooth or two? A dental bridge literally bridges that gap using crowns on the adjacent teeth to support a replacement tooth in the middle. It’s a fixed solution, meaning it stays in your mouth permanently—no taking it out at night like dentures.

Bridges restore your ability to chew properly and keep your remaining teeth from shifting into the empty space (which they absolutely will do if given enough time). They also maintain your face’s natural shape, since missing teeth can cause that sunken look that ages people prematurely.

The process involves preparing the teeth on either side of the gap, taking impressions, and creating a custom bridge that fits precisely. Once cemented in place, your bridge functions just like your natural teeth. You brush and floss around it (using a special floss threader for underneath) and treat it like the rest of your smile.

Dental Implants for Long-Term Solutions

Implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement because they replace both the visible tooth and the root underneath. A titanium post gets surgically placed in your jawbone, where it fuses with the bone over several months. Once healed, we attach a custom crown that looks and functions exactly like a natural tooth.

The advantage? Implants don’t rely on adjacent teeth for support; they prevent bone loss in your jaw, and they can last a lifetime with proper care. You brush and floss them normally, and they never develop cavities (though you still need to keep your gums healthy around them).

Implants require a longer time and financial investment than bridges or dentures, but many people find the permanent, natural-feeling result worth it. They’re especially great for younger patients who don’t want treatments that might need replacement every decade or so.

Dentures When You’re Missing Multiple Teeth

Full or partial dentures replace multiple missing teeth and restore function when bridges or implants aren’t the right fit. Modern dentures look significantly more natural than the too-perfect, obviously fake teeth of decades past. We create them to match your facial structure, remaining teeth, and natural coloring.

Partial dentures fill in gaps when you still have some healthy teeth remaining. Full dentures replace all teeth on the top or bottom (or both). Both types take some getting used to—you need to learn how they feel when eating and speaking—but most people adapt within a few weeks.

We also offer implant-supported dentures that snap onto implants placed in your jaw, giving you better stability and chewing power than traditional dentures that rest on your gums.

Root Canals: Saving Teeth from Extraction

Root canals get mentioned under restorative dentistry because they save teeth that would otherwise need extraction. When infection or decay reaches the pulp inside your tooth, a root canal removes that damaged tissue, disinfects the inner chamber, and seals everything up. Then we typically place a crown to protect the now-fragile tooth structure.

People dread root canals, but modern techniques make them far more comfortable than their reputation suggests. Plus, saving your natural tooth beats dealing with the complications of extraction and replacement. Your natural tooth root maintains bone density and works better than any replacement option.

Getting Started with Restorative Care

Restorative dentistry in Chambersburg and Shippensburg doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, even if you’re facing multiple procedures. We break treatment into manageable phases, prioritize what needs immediate attention, and work with your schedule and budget to create a realistic plan.

The first step is coming in for an evaluation so we can see what you’re working with and discuss your options. Some situations have one clear solution, while others offer multiple approaches depending on your priorities and circumstances. We walk you through everything, answer your questions honestly, and let you make informed decisions about your care.