Restorative dentistry at Aspen Dental
If you have damaged or missing teeth, restorative dentistry can bring your smile back to life. Whether you have a small cavity, a broken tooth or multiple missing teeth, our restorative care can help you get your complete smile back.
At Aspen Dental, our restorative dentistry combines advanced technology with compassionate, judgment-free care. From your first exam to your final restored smile, we're with you every step of the way.
Restorative dentistry is the branch of dentistry dedicated to diagnosing, treating and repairing problems that affect your teeth and oral health. When decay, damage or tooth loss threatens your smile, this type of care restores the function of your teeth by addressing current issues to help you maintain your oral health. These treatments include:
Repairing cavities (tooth decay) and minor tooth damage with dental fillings
Protecting damaged teeth with dental crowns
Replacing missing teeth with dental implants
Using traditional methods such as full dentures or partial dentures
Treating infected teeth through root canal treatment
Restoring bite function and jaw alignment
Preventing further tooth loss or damage
Explore our range of restorative treatments that can help you address different levels of damage or tooth loss.
Recognizing when you need restorative care helps you address problems before they require more extensive or costly treatments.
Tooth pain or sensitivity that persists for more than a few days
Dark spots or discoloration that may indicate decay
Loose or shifting teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting down without pain
Missing teeth that affect your ability to eat or speak
A loose or missing filling or crown
Bad breath or bad taste that won't go away
Damaged or missing teeth affect more than your smile. When tooth problems go untreated, surrounding teeth shift out of position. This can cause your bite to become unbalanced, jaw discomfort, difficulty or painful chewing, and an increased risk for additional decay or gum disease.
Restorative dentistry helps stop this cycle to help you maintain the look and function of your entire smile. Benefits include:
Eating your favorite foods without pain or hesitation
Improving your speech by restoring missing or damaged teeth
Supports your natural face structure
Prevent further tooth damage
Supports your long-term oral health
Boosts your self-esteem and confidence in smiling again
Your dentist will examine your teeth, take X-rays of your smile, review your symptoms and determine the extent of any damage or decay. This step helps us create a care plan tailored to you and your unique dental needs.
Your care team will give a clear outline of recommended care, why you need it and what’s involved. A detailed estimate of costs and verified insurance coverage will be included before treatment starts as well.
During treatment, local anesthesia keeps you comfortable while your dentist removes any decay or infected tissue, prepares your tooth for care or places your restoration using our modern techniques and leading technology.
For crowns, bridges or dentures that require lab fabrication, your care team will provide a temporary restoration to protect your teeth so you’re never without your smile while your final restoration is created.
Once your permanent restoration is ready, your dentist will place it, check your bite to confirm it fits well and make any necessary adjustments to ensure it functions well and you’re comfortable long-term.
At the end of your final placement visit, your care team will provide detailed instructions on how to care for your restoration. Any follow-up visits will then be scheduled as needed to complete any other care or maintain your smile.
We’re here to make dental care affordable. Learn more about how the cost of treatment is possible with Aspen Dental.
For restorative care, many dental insurance plans cover at least part of your treatment. While we work with most providers to create more access to care you need, you can check how much coverage you have by reviewing your policy or contacting your provider. Before you visit, see which providers are accepted at your local office.
We do not accept Medicaid at any Aspen Dental location.
While how much you pay out-of-pocket for care depends in part on if you have dental insurance and your specific plan, there are a few other factors that affect your costs. The type of treatment, the location of your restoration in your mouth, the materials used and the complexity of care are all examples of what can impact the cost of care. For instance, front teeth may cost less to restore than molars because molars may require more extensive work.
For patients who need treatment but face financial constraints, payment plans are available through 3rd-party financing. You can apply in office and explore options that are designed to fit your unique budget. Plus, 99% of patients are approved for financing when they apply through our 3rd-party lenders, making it easier to get the care you need.
At Aspen Dental, we believe in providing clear, personalized cost estimates to make understanding what you need simple and straightforward. You'll know exactly what to expect financially before treatment begins. If you don’t have insurance, the Aspen Dental Savings Plan¹ is available for only $49 per year, helping you save up to 30% on dental services.
¹The Aspen Dental Savings Plan is NOT insurance. Please see plan terms and conditions for details.
Recovering from care depends on the treatment you receive. Below we breakdown what you can expect. If you have any questions, give your local Aspen Dental office a call today.
After your procedure and numbness wears off, you can resume eating as normal. You may experience mild sensitivity to temperature for a few days but this typically resolves on its own.
When you receive a crown or bridge, mild sensitivity is normal for the first few days. We recommend avoiding very hard or sticky foods and maintaining your restoration with good oral hygiene.
For single tooth implants, expect some swelling and mild discomfort for a few days following your implant placement surgery. For full arch dental implants, this discomfort may last longer but will pass over time. When eating within the first few days of your procedure, start with soft foods and liquids. Gradually reintroduce harder foods as your dentist recommends or as you become more comfortable. If you have any questions regarding your recovery, please contact your local Aspen Dental.
Whether you’re getting extractions and a temporary denture, or you’re receiving a new denture, your mouth will need time to adjust and adapt. You may experience some soreness or difficulty speaking and eating initially, but this improves with time, practice and healing (for those who’ve recently had extractions).
After a root canal, most patients return to normal activities the next day. Any discomfort typically resolves within a few days and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended by your provider.
The materials used in restorative dentistry have evolved dramatically for stronger, more natural-looking and longer-lasting solutions. Your dentist will select materials based on your tooth's location, the extent of damage and type of restorative treatment.
Strong, stain-resistant materials used for crowns, bridges, and veneers. These materials mimic the translucency and appearance of natural teeth, making them ideal for front teeth.
Strong, stain-resistant materials used for crowns, bridges, and veneers. These materials mimic the translucency and appearance of natural teeth, making them ideal for front teeth.
A newer ceramic material that combines the strength of metal with the natural appearance of porcelain. Extremely durable and bio-compatible, zirconia is popular for all teeth.
Gold, silver and other metal alloys offer exceptional durability for crowns and bridges on back teeth that handle heavy chewing forces. While less aesthetic, they provide great longevity.
Silver-colored fillings that are durable, cost-effective and typically used for back teeth where the appearance of your filling is less important.
The gold-standard material for dental implants due to its biocompatibility and ability to fuse with jawbone through osseointegration.
Frequently asked questions about restorative dentistry
By treating decay or infection, repairing damage or replacing missing teeth, restorative dentistry maintains your overall oral health by preventing the spread of infection or disease to other parts of your mouth or body. Poor long-term oral health has been linked to broader issues, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and more. By keeping your teeth in good condition, you’ll make eating easier, reduce your risk of infection and stay healthier overall.
Most restorative procedures have excellent success rates when properly cared for after your procedure. For instance, dental implants have a success rate of over 98% when combined with good oral hygiene. Crowns, bridges and fillings last 5+ years or longer when maintained through regular checkups and proper at-home care.
Look for a dental practice with experienced providers, advanced technology, transparent pricing and a reputation for compassionate care. Consider factors like location convenience, available appointment times and whether the practice accepts your insurance.
At Aspen Dental, we meet all these standards by focusing on making quality preventative, restorative and cosmetic care accessible and affordable. We accept most insurance providers at over 1,100 locations to make getting experienced, compassionate care simple and straightforward. Find a local office near you today to get started on care. Please note, we do not accept Medicaid.
It depends. Many dental insurance plans at least partially cover restorative treatments, especially procedures like fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures. Coverage varies by plan, however, so it’s important to review your policy or contact your dental insurance provider to see what’s covered for your specific plan. When you visit an Aspen Dental office, we’ll verify your benefits and coverage before starting treatment so you understand your financial responsibility upfront. While we work with most insurance providers, check with your local office today to see if your plan is accepted. Please note, we do not accept Medicaid.
Crowns cover your entire tooth to protect it and restore its function after damage or decay.
Veneers are cosmetic and cover the front surface of your teeth to improve their appearance.
While both can improve how your teeth look, crowns provide structural support and protection, while veneers are for cosmetic purposes only.
Longevity depends on:
Type of restoration
Materials used
Care and oral hygiene
Restoration warranty (if applicable)
Many restorations can last you for years with good oral hygiene, regular dental visits and consistent home care.
Yes, many restorative treatments can directly address tooth sensitivity by repairing the underlying cause.
Fillings seal exposed areas caused by decay
Crowns protect worn and cracked teeth, or teeth after a root canal
Root canals remove infected tooth pulp to alleviate sensitivity and pain
Your dentist can identify what's causing sensitivity and recommend the appropriate restorative solution.
Modern restorative dentistry is not typically considered painful but discomfort is normal. With the latest technology in dental care, many procedures are performed with local anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout your treatment. Depending on your procedure, you may feel pressure but shouldn't experience pain during the procedure. Some mild soreness or sensitivity afterward is normal and typically managed easily with over-the-counter pain relievers. Most patients report that treatment is far less uncomfortable than they expected.