When your mouth has been affected by disease or facial trauma due to an accident, a rehabilitative dentist can help you restore your natural function and aesthetic. Through a series of varying rehabilitating procedures and cleanings, your dentist can take your damaged teeth, gums, and jawbone and restore them to their full potential.
The end goal of rehabilitative dentistry is to keep as much of your natural mouth intact as possible while fully restoring its functionality and appearance. This can include the extraction of rotted teeth, the repairing of weakened bones or gums, and the placement of dental implants to help restore your mouth’s natural balance. Depending on the severity of your damage, the full rehabilitation of your mouth can take a long time. It is important to find a dental practice you can trust to provide you with cost-effective, compassionate, and skilled restoration.
Rehabilitative dentistry is different for everyone. For example, if you are currently battling gum disease like periodontitis, your rehabilitation process will include different procedures than if you experienced facial trauma in an auto accident. For those navigating periodontitis, the process will first target the gum disease itself. This will include a series of professional cleanings to remove the built-up tartar. From there, the rehabilitation can include root canals, gum contouring, bone grafting, and more.
The focus of rehabilitation is to restore your mouth’s natural functionality, which means you can bite, chew, and speak without pain or discomfort. Your dentist’s primary goal is to leave you with a smile you are confident about and with teeth you are proud to show off.
There are many different types of rehabilitative dentistry procedures, depending on the current status of your mouth and your desired outcomes. Not all restoration is due to disease or trauma. Rehabilitative therapy can be utilized for those with congenital diseases that make their teeth naturally weaker, or for those who have experienced chipping due to a misaligned bite. Common examples of procedures include the following:
When a tooth is beyond repair and the natural root cannot be salvaged with a root canal or cleaning, it may be necessary to have it professionally extracted. This can help prevent any further infection or rot for the surrounding gums and teeth. Once this procedure has been performed, your dentist’s next step will be to fill in the missing gum socket with a dental implant. In addition, you may also need to receive a bone graft to ensure your jawbone is strong enough to hold an implant.
There are many different types of dental implants, which your dentist can help review with you. Depending on how many teeth you need to have replaced, you have different options that best fit your budget and requirements. An implant will take the place of your natural tooth and help your gums and bones strengthen and heal. It also helps your other teeth remain in place and not shift toward the missing gap.
For discoloration or for a mouth that has been affected by infection, a professional cleaning may be on the list of solutions. This can include teeth whitening, gum contouring, scaling, planning, and more. Cleanings are a way for your dentist to remove any plaque that is building up or hard to address with just regular brushing and flossing.
If plaque is allowed to build up and go undisturbed, it can harden into tartar and result in gum disease.
Once natural function has been restored and you are able to bite, chew, and speak without discomfort or running the risk of chipping or cracking your teeth, cosmetic dentistry may be considered. There are many different ways to address discoloration or chipped teeth, including veneers and dental crowns.
Journal Square Dental understands the impact that a happy and healthy smile can have on your self-esteem, which is why we are proud to offer a Smile Makeover package. Our team of professionals will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth and consult your desired outcomes, goals, and any concerns you currently have. From there, a plan of action will be devised and we will work together to get you the smile you have been dreaming of.
Dental work, whether it’s cosmetic or rehabilitative, can take a long time to complete. Your oral health should be monitored and addressed frequently with a compassionate and knowledgeable dentist. Dr. Haig Rickerby of Journal Square Dental has been a member of the New Jersey Dental Association since 1987 and has the expertise necessary to provide you with unparalleled dental services. From your regular checkups to a rehabilitative surgical procedure, Journal Square Dental has it all covered.
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Expertly Reviewed by
Dr. Haig Rickerby, DMD
Dr. Rickerby is currently an assistant professor at NYU’s School of Dentistry and has been a member of the American Academy of General Dentistry, National Dental Association, Commonwealth Dental Society, and the New Jersey Dental Association since 1987.
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1 Journal Square Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07306