Dentists recommend restorative dental care for patients that need to resolve various oral health issues. Common restorative dentistry treatments include fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and dentures. In some cases, cosmetic dentistry treatments such as veneers are also considered restorative, especially if your front teeth are uneven. And while these treatments can help you improve your smile and enhance your oral health, some patients are limited by perceived barriers. We’re here to help you knock down those barriers so that you can get the restorative treatment you need and deserve.

What is restorative dental care?

Restorative dental care, also called restorative dentistry, is most often used in the following dental scenarios.

• Replacing missing teeth
• Preventing further tooth decay
• Repairing a chipped or broken tooth
• Repairing a tooth after a root canal procedure
• Helping patients achieve a whiter and brighter smile

Patients identify barriers keeping them from seeking the treatment they need for various reasons. Some patients believe the repairs aren’t important enough. Or, they don’t make the time to prioritize their oral health and never get around to scheduling their treatment. And in extreme situations, their dental anxiety keeps them away. Let’s explore those barriers to success a bit further so that you can knock them down and improve your oral health.

1. Patients think restorative dentistry isn’t necessary.

The entire goal of restorative dentistry is to repair and restore your teeth. And when you leave dental issues untreated, it can lead to bigger issues that can negatively impact your overall health. Putting off oral care and restorative dental work can cause cavities and gingivitis. By visiting your dentist every six months for a professional dental cleaning and oral evaluation, your dentist can identify potential issues that may cause harm. Correcting these issues can provide a lifetime of benefits and help you avoid unnecessary pain and expense.

If you have any questions about whether you need restorative dental care, request a consultation with your Bee Cave family dentist near Lakeway. We’ll do an evaluation to assess your oral health, and look for any problem areas that need to be addressed. Together, we’ll evaluate your unique situation and oral health to make an informed treatment recommendation.

2. You’re not organized about scheduling your regular dental appointments.

We know how busy life can get. From a full day of work to an evening of shuttling the kids to and fro, sometimes it can be hard to prioritize your own needs. We understand that sometimes making phone calls and scheduling appointments can be a big enough feat, and the task is easily pushed aside. Unfortunately, every day you leave a dental issue untreated, you could be increasing your need for more invasive and expensive treatments later.

We recommend you look for just five minutes to review your calendar and make the call. You can also request an appointment using our online form. We’ll follow up with you to get that appointment on the calendar. At your next appointment, we’ll take care of getting any future appointments on the calendar too, so that you can book it and forget it. We’ll do our part to ensure that scheduling and prioritizing your dental appointments is as easy and stress free as possible.

3. You may suffer from dental anxiety or a fear of the dentist.

Dental anxiety and a fear of the dentist is more common than many patients realize. Over 60% of people are estimated to suffer from dental fear or anxiety. At Tomasik Family Dental, we partner with our patients to create a warm, caring, safe, and comfortable environment. You should know that it is possible to overcome your dental anxiety.

When it comes to our patients, we pull out all the stops to make you comfortable in the dental chair. We offer warm blankets and iPods so you can listen to relaxing music, and we can even help you practice some deep breathing exercises before we begin. For more extreme situations, we can offer oral sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), or even a board-certified anesthesiologist that can help you achieve deeper levels of relaxation.

If you have dental anxiety or fear of the dentist, let us know when you make your appointment.

Don’t let these barriers keep you from the restorative dental care you need.

If there is a barrier keeping you away from restorative dental work, or you feel embarrassed about the state of your health, please know that Dr. Tomasik and the dental team at Tomasik Family Dental will never shame you about your teeth. It is our goal to help you have beautiful teeth so that you feel like smiling each and every day. Request an appointment today.