Dental fillings
A filling repairs the space left after decay is removed. It restores the affected area so the tooth can function.
Restorative dentistry in Seattle
Dr. Jaime Lee provides restorative care to repair damaged teeth, replace missing teeth, and improve how your teeth and bite function. Treatment can range from a single filling to replacing several missing teeth with implants, bridges, or dentures.
She begins by defining the structural problem and the functional result the restoration needs to achieve, then builds the treatment sequence around those findings.
Restorative care
How does restorative dentistry rebuild damaged or missing teeth?
Dr. Lee plans restorative treatment by evaluating the damaged tooth, the healthy tooth structure that remains, the surrounding gums and bone, and the way your teeth come together. She uses those findings to decide what should be repaired, replaced, or stabilized through:
- Dental fillings
- Crowns and same-day crowns
- Inlays and onlays
- Root canal treatment
- Dental bridges
- Dental implants
- Dentures and snap-in dentures
- Full-mouth reconstruction
What restorative dental treatments are available?
Crowns and same-day crowns
A crown covers a tooth to restore its shape and protect weakened structure. Smile Art uses CAD/CAM technology for same-day crowns in suitable cases.
A same-day crown does not mean every damaged tooth can be treated in one visit. Additional care may be needed before the final restoration.
Inlays and onlays
Inlays and onlays restore part of a tooth. They may be considered when a tooth needs a custom restoration without covering the entire tooth with a crown.
Root canal treatment
Root canal treatment removes inflamed or infected tissue from inside a tooth. It can help preserve a tooth that would otherwise be at risk of being lost. The tooth also needs an appropriate final restoration.
Dental bridges
A bridge fills a gap with replacement teeth supported by nearby teeth or implants. The available support affects whether a bridge is an option.
Dental implants
Dental implants act as supports for replacement teeth. Evaluation includes the condition of the mouth and factors that can affect treatment and healing.
Implant care can involve several stages. The timing depends on the treatment plan and how the supporting bone heals.
Dentures and snap-in dentures
Dentures replace missing teeth with a removable appliance. Snap-in dentures clip onto implants for additional support.
The number of missing teeth and the condition of the mouth help determine which options may be suitable.
Full-mouth reconstruction
Full-mouth reconstruction combines treatments to address multiple dental problems. The goal is to improve how the teeth function together while addressing damage or tooth loss.
The plan may involve repairing some teeth and replacing others. The number of steps depends on the problems being treated.
What happens at a restorative dentistry visit?
Dr. Lee uses exams, X-rays, and 3D imaging when needed to evaluate your teeth and determine what should be repaired or replaced. She will discuss the treatment options and the order of care with you.
Do I need restorative dentistry?
Restorative care is appropriate for patients with cavities, cracked or worn teeth, damaged fillings or crowns, infected teeth, missing teeth, or changes in chewing that point to a structural dental problem.
Dr. Lee also evaluates older dental work during routine exams to determine whether it remains structurally sound and functional within the bite.
When should you seek restorative dental care?
Schedule an evaluation if you have a broken tooth, new pain, persistent sensitivity, difficulty chewing, a missing tooth, or a restoration that feels loose or damaged.
Earlier evaluation gives Dr. Lee more information about the remaining tooth structure and whether a conservative repair is still possible. Treatment timing is then based on the procedure and any healing required between stages.
What comfort and sedation options are available?
Dr. Lee has advanced training in sedation and pain management through OHSU and DOCS Education. She uses that training when dental anxiety affects how restorative treatment should be planned.
Dr. Lee is trained in light to moderate conscious sedation and is current on her continuing education. For treatment needing deeper or IV sedation, she works with an anesthesiologist.
What affects the cost of restorative dentistry?
Restorative cost is based on the type of treatment, the number of teeth involved, the diagnostic and laboratory requirements, and whether the plan is completed in one stage or several. Dental benefits may cover different restorative procedures at different levels, so the estimate should reflect both the clinical plan and the patient's coverage.
What insurance and financing options are available?
PPO insurance
Smile Art accepts all PPO insurance.
Contact the office with your plan details to ask about coverage and network participation.
Third-party financing
Available through:
- CareCredit
- Cherry
- LendingClub
Financing is subject to the provider’s approval and terms.
Who provides restorative dentistry at Smile Art?
Dr. Jaime Lee earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Loma Linda University in 2002 and is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI).
Her implant education includes training through the Kois Center, Pacific Implant Institute, Pacific Implant Academy, and Live Implant Training with Dr. Mongalo. She applies this training when restorative plans involve damaged teeth, missing teeth, implant-supported restorations, or changes in bite function.
Frequently asked questions
What problems can restorative dentistry treat?
Restorative care can repair decay, cracks, fractures, worn teeth, failing restorations, and other structural damage and can replace one or more missing teeth.
How does Dr. Lee decide between a filling, inlay, onlay, or crown?
She evaluates the amount and location of damaged tooth structure, the remaining support, the bite, and the demands placed on the tooth before recommending the restoration.
Can restorative dentistry replace missing teeth?
Yes. Depending on the number and location of missing teeth and the available support, replacement options may include bridges, dental implants, dentures, or implant-supported restorations.
How long does restorative treatment take?
The schedule depends on the treatment being completed and whether the plan includes healing between stages. Some CAD/CAM crowns can be completed in one visit, while implant or multi-step treatment requires additional stages.
Will I need a referral for restorative treatment?
Dr. Lee plans the restorative care and will coordinate specialist care when a procedure or surgical stage is better completed by another clinician.
How do I care for dental restorations?
Daily brushing and flossing, professional preventive care, and periodic evaluation of the restoration and surrounding tooth structure help Dr. Lee monitor how the restoration is functioning over time.
Does dental insurance cover restorative dentistry?
Coverage depends on the service and your individual dental plan. Smile Art accepts all PPO dental plans, and the team can verify benefits before treatment.
Where is our Seattle dental office?
Smile Art is at 901 Boren Ave, Suite 1030, Seattle, WA 98104. We welcome new patients from Seattle and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Smile Art by Dr. Jaime Lee901 Boren Ave, Suite 1030
Seattle, WA 98104
Seattle, WA 98104
HoursMonday–Thursday, 8:00am–4:00pm
Phone(206) 325-7200
The Cabrini Medical Tower garage entrance is at 1010 Marion St. The building entrance is on Boren Ave; Dr. Lee is in Suite 1030. Parking for a Smile Art visit does not require validation. Directions to the garage. Check posted rates when you park.