Robert Todd, founder of Butler Smiles Dental Care, says patients have more options today to restore their teeth to their original condition.

BUTLER TWP — Dentistry has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Traditionally, a patient visited a dentist every six months, or if a problem arose. But today, dentists offer many more options for patients to treat and restore teeth to their original condition, said Dr. Robert Todd, founder of Butler Smiles Dental Care.

Sometimes those options are grouped under the title “restorative dentistry.” While that may sound complicated, even a filling can be defined as restorative dentistry, Todd said.

“There are so many things available to have your teeth repaired,” Todd said. “A lot of people just don’t know what’s available at their dentist.”

Dental procedures have become more comfortable for patients, faster and longer-lasting, he said.

In an e-mail, Drs. Larry and Anne Adam of Adam Associates, a family of five dentists in Sarver and Worthington, agreed.

“In the past, having a tooth ‘crowned’ (or ‘capped’) involved a minimum of two dental visits,” they said.

“In some circumstances, dentists can now restore teeth with crowns in one visit using state-of-the-art technology. And, in general, dental technology, techniques and materials are improving daily — just like the rest of the world.”

Common ProceduresSome basic information about the most common procedures and practices available follows. Patients also can check their dentists’ websites, and ask questions.

ImplantsTodd believes implants, artificial roots that bond with the jaw bone and support a replacement tooth, have had the biggest impact on dental practices. The replacement tooth provides a long-lasting, natural and more functional solution to replace a missing tooth or teeth than traditional dentures, he said.“Full and partial dentures can be difficult for people to get used to. I like to have a predictable outcome, a happy patient,” he said.Replacement teeth also prevent pain or other problems that can arise from chewing with missing teeth, the Adamses said.“People chew in the most comfortable way possible for them, avoiding any discomfort while grinding the food as best they can for digestion,” they said. “However, when teeth erupt into the mouth in an unhealthy way, when teeth are lost without proper replacement or space saving techniques, or when trauma of any kind affect the dentition, then ‘malocclusion’ or the interaction of the upper teeth against the lower teeth often start working unhealthily.”At that point, the jaw muscles may become stressed or spastic. Headaches and neck aches also can result, they said.

BondingNatural teeth can be rebuilt using tooth-colored filling materials or porcelain.“It’s made a major change in the way we do things,” Todd said.The term “bonding” also includes cosmetic improvements.“The bonding that you read about in magazines and that has some of the most amazing end results usually refers to very thin porcelain coverings placed on teeth to make them look whiter, straighter and simply more attractive,” the Adamses said.

SedationSedation is not new, but has become more commonplace. Many dentists now offer sedation in their offices.The dentist and the patient consider the patient’s health, severity of the procedure, patient anxiety and other factors to determine whether to sedate, the Adamses said.Even with sedation, however, most restorative dental procedures — though not all — require anesthesia or “Novocain,” they said. The anesthesia must be administered to prevent the patient from arousing from the sedation.

Preventing decayXylitol is a natural sugar substitute that can reduce tooth decay by 70 percent when patients consume five- to six-grams a day. Xylitol products, such as chewing gum, mints, mouthwash and toothpaste, can be purchased at Butler Smiles and are similar in price to drug store varieties, Todd said.

WhiteningA third safe and successful procedure is teeth whitening, Larry and Anne Adam said. Whitening procedures are available at mall “whitening centers,” through mail order, and at your local pharmacy, they said. Nevertheless, dentists still have a role in this procedure.“If you want to have whitening gel placed properly and safely against your teeth for the most effective whitening, check with your dentist,” they said.