Definition and Scope of Restorative Dentistry
- Restorative dentistry involves the study, diagnosis, and management of dental diseases and the rehabilitation of the teeth and supporting structures.
- It includes the specialties of endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics.
- Restorative dentistry addresses the functional and aesthetic needs of individuals.
- Close collaboration with other dental specialties, such as orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, may be necessary.
- Surgical specialties like oral and maxillofacial surgery may also be involved.
Conditions Treated by Restorative Dentistry
- Restorative dentistry treats various conditions, including caries (tooth decay) and maxillofacial trauma caused by environmental factors.
- Developmental issues like hypodontia, amelogenesis imperfecta, dentogenesis imperfecta, and cleft palate may require restorative treatment.
- Multifactorial conditions like periodontitis, with both genetic and environmental causes, are managed by restorative dentistry.
- Restorative dentists play a role in managing head and neck oncology cases, both before and after treatment.
- The specialty is recognized by the General Dental Council in the UK and represented by professional societies.
Restorative Dental Treatments
- Restorative dentistry combines endodontics, prosthodontics, and periodontics.
- Restorative consultants work in dental hospitals and receive referrals from other dental specialties and general practitioners.
- They manage complex cases, such as pre-radiotherapy head and neck oncology assessments.
- Restorative dentists provide oral rehabilitation for patients after head and neck oncology treatment.
- They also offer oral rehabilitation for patients with hypodontia, maxillofacial trauma, and tooth wear.
Restorative Dentistry Procedures
- Root canal therapy, both non-surgical and surgical, is performed by restorative dentists.
- Periodontal treatment, including non-surgical and surgical approaches, is within the scope of restorative dentistry.
- Restorative dentists may provide treatment planning services or shared care with referring dentists.
- They specialize in the provision of obturators for head and neck oncology and cleft palate patients.
- Restorative dentists are skilled in managing cases of tooth wear.
References
- The DGZ (German Society of Dentistry and Oral Medicine) provides resources related to restorative dentistry.
- The book 'Introduction to Tooth Preservation' by Hellwig, Klimek, and Attin covers cariology, endodontology, and periodontology.
- Restorative Dentistry-UK (RD-UK) and the Specialty Registrars in Restorative Dentistry Group (SRRDG) are valuable sources of information.
- The RD-UK website offers insights and resources on restorative dentistry.
- Additional references and sources can be found to further explore the field of restorative dentistry.
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Restorative dentistry is the study, diagnosis and integrated management of diseases of the teeth and their supporting structures and the rehabilitation of the dentition to functional and aesthetic requirements of the individual. Restorative dentistry encompasses the dental specialties of endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics and its foundation is based upon how these interact in cases requiring multifaceted care. This may require the close input from other dental specialties such as orthodontics, paediatric dentistry and special care dentistry, as well as surgical specialties such as oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Restorative dentistry aims to treat the teeth and their supporting structures. Many conditions and their consequences may be assessed and treated by a restorative dentist. Environmental causes may include as caries or maxillofacial trauma. Developmental issues may lead to the restorative dentist treating hypodontia, amelogenesis imperfecta, dentogenesis imperfecta or cleft palate. Multifactorial conditions, with an environmental and genetic basis, such as periodontitis, would be treated by restorative dentistry. Restorative dentists are part of the multidisciplinary team managing head and neck oncology cases, both before treatment and helping to rehabilitate the patient after surgery and/or radiotherapy.
In the UK, restorative dentistry is legally recognized as a specialty under EU directive and the General Dental Council, and is represented by several specialist societies including the British Society for Restorative Dentistry and the Association of Consultants & Specialists in Restorative Dentistry. Restorative dentistry specialty training in the UK lasts 5 years, and upon successful completion, the dentist may be appointed as a consultant in restorative dentistry.
