Restorative Dentistry in Wauwatosa

What Is Restorative Dentistry?

Restorative dentistry is a type of dentistry that focuses primarily on restoring damaged, decayed, or missing teeth. Unlike cosmetic dentistry, which mostly focuses on aesthetics, restorative dentistry focuses on restoring damaged teeth, eliminating pain, and preventing further complications associated with tooth damage and loss.

If you’ve experienced tooth damage or loss in Wauwatosa, Dr. Shaun McCue is here to help. As an experienced restorative dentist, he can discuss your options for tooth restoration and replacement, determine the best choice based on your needs and your budget, and provide you with the care you need. Contact us online to schedule a consultation now.

Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are the best treatment for minor-to-moderate tooth decay. In the filling procedure, damaged enamel is drilled away and removed, and is replaced with an inert, tooth-like material. This halts the progression of the cavity and restores the natural appearance and function of the tooth.

We exclusively use tooth-colored fillings at our office. These fillings are made of a blend of resin and glass particles, and provide a natural, durable, and long-lasting restoration when used to fill decayed teeth.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is the best way to save and restore teeth that have become infected. Tooth infections usually occur when a deep cavity or an oral injury destroys the outer layer of the tooth, exposing the vulnerable pulp. This pulp, which is filled with the blood vessels and nerves that keep the tooth alive, then begins to die. This causes a lot of pain, and eventually results in tooth loss.

In a root canal, the tooth is opened up. Then, the interior is cleaned and the pulp is extracted and replaced with a rubbery material that supports the inside of the tooth. Finally, the tooth is covered with a filling or a crown to restore and protect it. This eliminates the infection, relieves pain, and preserves the tooth. At our office, Dr. McCue offers root canal therapy on molars.

Dental Crowns

Crowns are the best way to treat teeth that have been severely damaged by oral injuries or tooth decay. They are hollow, tooth-shaped “shells” that are built to fit over your existing tooth. This restores its shape, function and appearance while also protecting the tooth from further damage. At our office, Dr. McCue offers custom-built, lab-made porcelain crowns that look and feel exactly like natural teeth.

Full & Partial Dentures

Dentures are often the fastest and simplest way to replace one or more missing teeth. There are two primary types of dentures. Partial dentures can be built to replace one or several missing teeth. These false teeth are attached to a special framework that snaps onto your remaining healthy teeth, locking them in place.

Full dentures are a bit different. They are designed to replace the upper, lower, or both rows of teeth, and consist of a full set of teeth placed into a gum-colored, acrylic base. They’re only recommended for people with severe oral health problems. This is because full dentures require the extraction of all of your remaining teeth before they can be built, even if these teeth are healthy.