Tooth restoration Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Tooth restoration
The appearance of a dental restoration is a combination of events of surface reflection, absorption, and internal scattering. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Tooth restoration
What are Fillings?
Fillings are special materials that your dentist places on your teeth to repair tooth decay (cavities) or defects on the tooth surface. Fillings (also called restorations) restore the tooth to form and function. Advances in dental materials and methods provide new, effective ways to restore teeth.
There are several different types of restorations, including direct and indirect restorations.
Direct Restorations
These need a single visit to place a filling directly into a prepared cavity. Materials used for these fillings include:
Dental amalgam, also called silver fillings: Amalgam fillings have been used for decades. They have been tested for safety and resistance to wear. Dentists have found them safe, reliable, and effective.
Glass ionomer fillings: These are tooth-colored materials made from fine glass powders and acrylic acids. They are used in small fillings that don’t have to withstand heavy pressure from chewing. They chemically bond to the mineral in the tooth.
Resin ionomer fillings: These are made from glass with acrylic acids and acrylic resin. Like the glass ionomers above, they chemically bond to the mineral in the tooth.
Composite (resin) fillings: These are the best-looking of the tooth-colored direct fillings. They are made from acrylic resin filled with tiny glass or quartz particles. They are not quite as strong or wear resistant as amalgam. But they are stronger and more durable than glass ionomers and can be used on biting surfaces. They are bonded to the tooth.
Indirect Restorations
These often need 2 or more dental visits and include:
Inlays
Onlays
Porcelain
Veneers
Crowns
Bridges
These are made with gold, base metal alloys, ceramics, porcelain fused to metal, or specially formulated composites. At the first visit, a dentist will prepare the tooth and make an impression of the area to be restored. At the second visit, the dentist will cement the new restoration into the prepared area. Some offices use newer technology called CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing). This lets them to make the indirect restoration in the office and use it at the same appointment. So it’s all done in one visit.
Types of Tooth Testoration
Dental Fillings
Fillings are used to fill in a cavity, caused by dental decay. This is the most common type of tooth restoration.
Fillings are done in a dentist’s office and don’t require a specialist’s care.
Your dentist will clean out the tooth decay and fill in the cavity. Several different materials may be used in a dental filling, including silver amalgam or composite resin.
If the tooth is near the front of your mouth and visible when you speak or smile, your dentist may recommend using a tooth-colored material for the filling. Options include:
- Composite resins (white filling): These are a newer material used for dental fillings, and are preferred over amalgam fillings for a couple reasons. They look the same color as your teeth, and do not expand and contract or damage teeth, like metal fillings. However, they are just as strong and durable as metal fillings.
- Glass ionomer: This material acts more like a sealant than the composite resins, and is opaque.
- Resin-modified glass ionomer: This is similar to the glass ionomer, but have an enamel color to better match teeth, and is made to last longer.
Talk with your dental professional to determine which filling is best for your teeth.
Crowns
Dental Crowns are a type of cap placed over an entire tooth. Dental crowns are used to protect:
- Teeth with cavities too large for dental fillings
- Weak or cracked teeth
- Worn down teeth
- A vulnerable tooth after root canal
They’re also used to anchor a bridge that replaces missing teeth.
Crowns are placed by a dentist or a dental specialist known as a prosthodontist. If you need a crown, your dentist may be able to make it in their office.
In most cases, a dental professional will take an impression of your tooth and send it to a lab, where your crown will be made. When this occurs, a temporary crown will be placed over your natural tooth until your dentist can replace it with the actual crown.
Implants
Implants are artificial roots that hold replacement teeth, such as crowns or bridges, in place. There are two main types:
- Endostea: In this type, the artificial root is drilled into the jawbone.
- Subperiosteal: The artificial root is placed on or above the jawbone. This type of implant is done when there isn’t enough healthy jawbone to hold an endosteal implant in place.
Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. They can help improve your bite and speech.
Implants require multiple procedures prior to completion. Though they can take several months to complete, they may last for decades.
Oral surgeons and periodontists are the type of dentists that do implant procedures.
Bridges (fixed partial denture)
Bridges are false teeth (pontics) used to replace missing teeth. They’re attached by crowns on surrounding teeth (abutments), restoring both look and function to your mouth.
Bridges are usually made from porcelain that matches the natural color of your existing teeth. They may also be made from porcelain bonded to a stronger metal underneath.
A bridge may require your dentist to cover the healthy teeth on either side of it with crowns (called retainers) to anchor it in place. In some instances, it may also require the support of dental implants under the new teeth.
There are several different types of bridges, such as:
- Traditional
- Maryland
- Cantilever
- Implant-supported
The number of missing teeth and their location will determine the type of bridge you need. The quality of your abutment teeth, which are the teeth on either side of the bridge, may also be a factor.
It may take several appointments before bridgework is complete.
A general dentist or prothodentist, a dentist who specializes in repairing or replacing missing or damaged teeth, can do a bridge procedure.
Dentures
Dentures are removable false teeth used to replace missing teeth. Dentures look just like teeth and their surrounding gums.
If you’ve lost all your teeth due to injury, tooth decay, or gum disease, you may get a full set of dentures. If you have some of your own natural teeth, you may get a partial denture to replace your missing teeth.
In some instances, you may have cracked or decayed teeth pulled prior to being fitted for dentures.
Veneers
Veneers are tooth-colored, natural-looking shells that cover the front of a tooth or several teeth. It’s considered a cosmetic procedure used to perfect the look of damaged teeth.
Veneers may make small or short teeth appear more even. They can also bring uniformity to discolored, cracked, or chipped teeth.
Veneers may be made from porcelain or composite resin. There are two types of veneer procedures:
- Traditional: This requires extensive prep work, including grinding down the natural tooth’s enamel and structure.
- No prep: This requires less preparation and enamel removal. This type of veneer doesn’t need anesthesia.
Veneers may last anywhere from 5 to 15 years with proper care.
Bonding
Tooth Bonding is used to perfect the appearance of discolored, cracked, or chipped teeth.
Your dentist will apply a composite resin to your tooth that matches the color of your natural teeth. The dentist will mold and shape the resin, then harden it with an ultraviolet light.
Tooth bonding isn’t as sturdy as a veneer or crown. Bonded teeth may chip easily, requiring an additional restoration procedure.
How can you restore teeth color?
If you have discolored teeth, you may try to whiten them at home naturally or with products such as whitening strips or gels.
Tray-based tooth bleaching may provide more significant whitening results. These trays fit over your teeth and use a peroxide-based bleaching gel to whiten teeth. They may be custom fitted by a dentist or purchased over the counter.
In-office tooth whitening typically provides the most dramatic results. Your dentist will use a strong bleaching solution coupled with light or heat to whiten teeth.
Frequently Asked Question on Tooth Restoration
Tooth restoration is commonly performed for reasons such as tooth decay, cavities, fractures, chipping, wear, trauma, or tooth loss.
Tooth restoration methods include dental fillings, crowns, bridges, dental implants, inlays, onlays, and dentures.
A dental crown is recommended for severely damaged or weakened teeth. It covers the entire tooth to restore its strength, shape, and appearance.
The lifespan of dental crowns varies, but they can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years or more with proper care and maintenance.
Dental implants are considered a long-term and often permanent solution for tooth loss. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.
Proper oral hygiene practices, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check–ups, are essential for maintaining the longevity of dental restorations. Using a non–abrasive toothpaste is recommended.