Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry: What’s The Difference?

Going to the dentist is a necessity in today’s age, which is, unfortunately, why many take it for granted. While the overall idea about it is for the betterment of oral care, many still don’t truly understand the nuances of the practice. One particular question that many wonder about is the difference between restorative and cosmetic dentistry solutions.

While both aim to achieve the same goal—which is to give you the best smile possible—they each go about it differently. Knowing the differences between the two isn’t just a matter of checking the price; it’s also integral to how your overall mouth will appear and function after the treatments are done!

In this article, we will share with you the differences between restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, including what you can expect from the two different dental treatment approaches.

Restorative Dentistry

In restorative dentistry, the procedures will revolve around restoring and maintaining the function of your mouth. It can include a variety of dental treatments, such as crowns, fillings, and the like. These will allow you to chew and speak correctly, as well as smile at your best!

It also focuses on addressing any dental issues you may be having, such as tooth decay or missing teeth. For this reason, restorative dentistry treatments are generally done before cosmetic dentistry procedures, as the function is much more essential than form!

In a sense, restorative dentistry may not directly affect the way your smile looks, but focuses your ability to eat and smile!

Cosmetic Dentistry

With cosmetic dentistry, it is all about making your smile look good. If your oral health is in good shape, your dentist can provide cosmetic dentistry to make your smile more aesthetically pleasing.

Procedures that are commonly done here can include whitening, front crowns or veneers, bonding, and other aesthetic improvements. While some of these procedures can be done to slightly improve your mouth’s function, such as repairing a chipped tooth, the main goal is to improve your smile’s aesthetics! 

As such, if you are dealing with ongoing oral health issues, your dentist will first prioritize restorative dentistry before cosmetic dentistry. Simply put, cosmetic dentistry focuses more on the form rather than the function.

Pairing them together

In many cases, you may find yourself undergoing both types of dentistry anyway. That is because, for your sake, a dentist should always focus on health first before looks! Having your teeth merely look healthy will not address problems like gingivitis, tooth decay, and other gum diseases, all of which can deteriorate your oral aesthetics and health.

For this reason, if you are seeking cosmetic dentistry, your dentist will always look for dental health problems first. If they discover one or more, they will recommend different procedures to bring your oral health back up to its best condition first before improving the aesthetics.

For example, if you have cavities, you would be advised to have fillings done, which is the restorative dentistry aspect. After that, the rest of your teeth can be whitened to improve the color, which is the cosmetic aspect of dentistry!

Conclusion

Whether you are interested in undergoing restorative or cosmetic dentistry, know that the final result is an improvement in your mouth’s overall health. With restorative dentistry, you address all the oral issues you might be facing, and with cosmetic dentistry, you improve its aesthetics. By pairing the two together, you enjoy the best of both worlds: a mouth that functions well and a smile that you can be proud of.

Are you looking for a dental practice that offers invisible aligners, orthodontic braces, or dental crown procedures? Matthews Family Dentistry is a top-rated dental practice in Matthews, NC, offering restorative and cosmetic dentistry to improve your smile. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Although cosmetic dentistry & restorative dentistry often overlap. Read out the Matthews family dentistry’s blog to know about the difference.