Traditionally, restorative dentistry was recognised as the process of fixing teeth so they can offer their original function without pain or resistance, while cosmetic dentistry focussed purely on the appearance side of things – helping your smile look as even and attractive as possible. However, as time has passed, these terms are often interchangeable. Today, you may find people and dentists refer to both restorative dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. After all, whether it’s for practical or aesthetic purposes, ultimately something is being restored.