Oral restoration is the most popular procedure attracting dental tourists to Costa Rica, particularly when it comes from a desire to replace missing teeth. Although many dental tourists are driven by aesthetic motivations, this is not their sole impulse; according to the dental professionals at the New Smile Dental Group of Costa Rica, not all of their patients wish to replace only their visible teeth.

In many cases, dental tourists seek to replace major molars that they once thought they could easily live without. These are patients who tend to think that replacing teeth is only necessary when they are missing from their smiles; since molars are rarely visible to others, they initially dismiss them as being teeth that they can get accustomed to not having. However, once these patients realize that their nutrition and quality of life have been drastically impacted by missing molars, they quickly start planning a dental tourism vacation to Costa Rica.

At the New Smile Dental Group, the two most solutions to replace missing teeth are fixed bridges and dental implants. In some total restoration cases, a mix of both bridges and implants may be used. Dental bridges are fixed prosthetic devices that may also feature crowns that cap teeth that are partially damaged. Bridges are permanently affixed to the mouth by various means.

Contrary to popular belief, permanent bridges are not exclusively cosmetic solutions. When a tooth is lost, the rest of the teeth may seek to fill the gap created, which results in an improper bite and oral imbalance. Such gaps also increase the risk of gum disease and bite disorders.

The crown and bridge materials used by dental restoration experts will depend on the recommendations of prosthodontists and the choice made by the patients. In Costa Rica, dental restoration clinics typically use acrylics, porcelain and special alloys; these are all long-lasting materials.