Restorative dentistry is a self-explanatory term that describes the restoration of one tooth, multiple teeth, or the entire mouth. The goal is to “restore” the tooth back to its original form, function, and appearance. Restorative dental work can be as routine as fillings or as complex as root canal treatment, bridgework, or dental implants.
Composite Fillings
Composite fillings, better known as “tooth-colored fillings” are the most commonly placed fillings in dentistry today. A composite filling is placed after decay has been removed from a tooth. It is chemically and mechanically bonded to the tooth and the material used is strong and long-lasting.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
A dental crown is used to …
- restore teeth without enough tooth structure to support a filling
- protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- restore a fractured tooth
- cover a tooth that is badly shaped or discolored
- cover an implant after implant placement
There are different materials used to make Crowns. These include porcelain fused to metal, full porcelain, and full gold crowns. All types are very natural and durable but each material has pros and cons depending on the situation. Most crowns today are hand-made using some of the same techniques used to fashion custom-made jewelry, while some crowns are made with modern computer and cad-cam technology. They are created to look natural and feel comfortable to the patient. The crown is prepared by removing a thin layer of enamel from the entire tooth. The dentist will then take an impression of the prepared tooth and make a temporary crown for the patient to wear while the permanent crown is being made. The patient will return in two to three weeks for the permanent crown to be bonded in place.
A Fixed Bridge is a series of crowns that are connected. It is used to replace the missing tooth or teeth where one or more teeth have been lost. A fixed bridge is bonded in your mouth and cannot be taken out. The crowns that cover the natural teeth are called abutments and the false tooth that replaces the missing tooth is called a pontic. The preparation and delivery for a bridge is the same as a crown procedure.