Restorative dentistry is the branch of dentistry that repairs damaged teeth and replaces missing ones, so you can chew, speak and smile normally again. Redondo Beach Dental Group provides restorative care in Redondo Beach, a short drive from Torrance, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.
Most restorative decisions come down to one question: can the tooth be saved, or does it need replacing? Call (310) 542-6988 if you would like us to look at your situation first.
Repair or Replace: Where Most Patients Start
A tooth that is cracked, badly decayed or weakened by a large old filling can often be kept. A crown covers and protects what is left of it. If the nerve inside is infected, root canal therapy can clear the infection, and a crown usually follows. Keeping a sound natural tooth is generally simpler and less costly than replacing it.
A tooth may not be worth saving when the crack runs down into the root, when too little tooth remains above the gum to hold a crown, or when gum disease has destroyed much of the bone around it. In those cases the tooth comes out and the question becomes how to replace it.
Tooth loss is common, especially later in life. According to the CDC, about 1 in 10 adults aged 65 to 74, and about 1 in 5 adults aged 75 or older, have lost all of their natural teeth.
How to Choose a Tooth Replacement
The right option depends mainly on how many teeth are missing, the health of the teeth and bone nearby, and your budget. These are the choices we usually talk through.
If you are missing one tooth
A single missing tooth is usually replaced with a dental implant or a bridge. An implant is a post placed in the jawbone with a crown on top, and at our office it typically costs $3,000 to $6,000, including the implant, abutment and crown. It stands on its own and does not involve the teeth beside the gap. A bridge needs no surgery and is quicker, but it crowns the teeth on either side, so it makes most sense when those teeth already need crowns. Ask for an estimate on a bridge, since that fee depends on the case, and ask whether a removable option suits your situation.
If you are missing several teeth
Two or three missing teeth in a row can often be replaced by a bridge held on natural teeth, or by a bridge supported by two implants, so you do not need a post for every tooth. When the gaps are spread around the mouth, ask which option fits, because the answer depends on the teeth that remain. Implants can also hold a denture in place so it no longer slips. As with one tooth, implants cost more up front, while bridges and dentures cost less and need no surgery.
If you are missing all or nearly all of your teeth
For a full arch there are two main paths. A complete denture rests on the gums and comes out for cleaning. All-on-4 places four implants in the jaw to hold a fixed arch of teeth that you do not take out, and at our office it typically costs $20,000 to $30,000 per arch. If many teeth are damaged but some can still be saved, a full-mouth reconstruction combines crowns, implants and other treatment into one plan, typically $30,000 to over $100,000 depending on how much work is needed.
Looking for dentures?
If you already know you want dentures, we make digital dentures in Redondo Beach from a 3D model of your mouth. That model stays in your records, which makes a replacement set easier to make later.
Restorative Services at Redondo Beach Dental Group
- Same-Day Dental Crowns in Redondo Beach: for a cracked, broken or heavily filled tooth that needs covering. We design and mill the crown in the office, so most single crowns are placed in one visit. Typically $1,200 to $2,000 per tooth.
- Dental Implants in Redondo Beach: for one or a few missing teeth, when you want a replacement that does not depend on the teeth beside it.
- Dental Bridges: for one or more missing teeth in a row, held by crowns on the neighboring teeth or on implants. A good fit when you want to avoid surgery.
- All-on-4 Implants: for people missing most or all of the teeth in one jaw, or facing that, who want a fixed arch instead of a removable denture.
- Digital Dentures: for people replacing many or all of their teeth with a removable appliance, made from a 3D model of the mouth.
- Full-Mouth Reconstruction: for widespread damage, wear or decay across many teeth, rebuilt as one coordinated plan.
- Chao Pinhole Technique: for gum recession that has exposed tooth roots. The gum is moved back into place through a small opening instead of a cut-and-stitch graft.
- Tissue-Engineering Biologics (L-PRF Therapy): for patients having surgery such as an extraction or implant. A small amount of your own blood is spun to concentrate healing factors, which can be placed at the site to support healing.
If dental visits make you anxious, sedation options can be planned around longer restorative appointments.
What Restorative Dentistry Costs and How to Pay
Cost depends on the treatment, the number of teeth and any preparation needed first, such as an extraction or bone graft. The figures above are the typical ranges the practice publishes. For anything else, ask for an estimate after your exam so you have the full number before treatment starts.
Dental plans often group fillings as basic care and crowns, bridges and dentures as major care, and many pay a smaller share of major work, with an annual maximum on what they pay in a year. Implant coverage varies more. We accept PPO plans; ask us how your plan applies to this treatment. For costs your plan does not cover, we offer payment plans through Cherry, CareCredit and LendingClub, plus an in-office plan for patients without insurance.
Who You Will See
Dr. Moshe Eizdi leads care at Redondo Beach Dental Group. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with honors, and his work covers cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including implant restorations. At your exam the teeth in question are reviewed with you, and the options are laid out side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does restorative dental work cost?
The cost of restorative dental work depends on the treatment and how many teeth are involved. At Redondo Beach Dental Group a same-day crown typically costs $1,200 to $2,000, a dental implant $3,000 to $6,000, All-on-4 $20,000 to $30,000 per arch, and full-mouth reconstruction $30,000 to over $100,000. Ask for an estimate for anything else.
What does a restorative dentist do?
A restorative dentist repairs teeth that are damaged and replaces teeth that are missing. That covers fillings, crowns, root canal treatment, bridges, dentures and the crowns that go on dental implants, with the goal of getting your bite working normally again.
What is the difference between a restorative dentist and a general dentist?
A general dentist and a restorative dentist overlap a great deal. General dentists handle checkups, cleanings and prevention, and most also provide restorative treatment such as fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures. “Restorative dentist” usually describes the kind of work a dentist does, not a separate license.
What is a restorative dentist called?
A dentist who has completed advanced specialty training in restoring and replacing teeth is called a prosthodontist. Restorative treatment such as crowns, bridges, dentures and implant restorations is a routine part of the care at Redondo Beach Dental Group.
When is a tooth not restorable?
A tooth is usually not restorable when a crack runs down into the root, when too little healthy tooth is left above the gum to hold a crown, or when gum disease has destroyed much of the bone supporting it. In those cases removing the tooth and replacing it is often the better long-term choice.
What is the cheapest replacement for a tooth?
Removable options generally cost less than a bridge or implant and need no surgery, but they can feel less stable and may need adjusting as the gum and bone change over time. Ask us which options apply to your case.
How can I get one tooth replaced?
One missing tooth can usually be replaced with a dental implant or a bridge. An implant stands on its own in the jawbone, while a bridge is held by crowns on the teeth beside the gap. Your dentist can tell you which suits the teeth and bone around the gap.
Is restorative dentistry worth it?
Restorative dentistry is often worth it when a damaged or missing tooth affects how you chew or speak, or when leaving a gap would let nearby teeth drift and the bone shrink. Whether a specific treatment is worth it depends on your health, the tooth and the cost.
Book a Restorative Consultation in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach Dental Group is at 2511 Artesia Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. We are open Monday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Call (310) 542-6988 or request an appointment online to have a broken or missing tooth looked at along with any other dental treatment you need.