Restorative dentistry is a field of dentistry mainly aimed at replacing or repairing teeth to improve speaking, chewing, and oral health. But what are the most common dental restorations? In this article, we discuss the types of dental restorations and in what cases they are used.
Below, we list the most common dental restorations. Remember that only your dentist can conduct a comprehensive examination and offer you the most suitable restoration to accommodate your specific needs.
Dental fillings are typically the most common treatment for small cavities. Cavities are formed when plaque or tartar filled with bacteria accumulates on teeth. Bacteria destroy the tooth's enamel, causing a hole.
To treat a cavity, doctors remove the decayed part of the tooth and fill the hole with resin composite. This material is similar to the natural teeth in color. It stops the infection from spreading further, seals the hole from new bacteria and food debris penetrating it, and reinforces the tooth. In general, the longevity of a dental filling is 5 to 10 years.
Root canal treatment is employed when infection in the cavity spreads further and penetrates the inner pulp chambers of the tooth. In this case, simply cleaning and filling the cavity will not be enough to restore the tooth. The infected pulp has to be removed from the pulp chamber, and the canals should be cleaned and sealed with a special dental material. Sometimes, root canal treatment is combined with the placement of a dental crown.
If a tooth is significantly weakened by decay or other damage (for example, broken or chipped), your doctor will use a dental crown to reinforce the tooth's structure and protect it from future damage.
A dental crown covers the entire surface of the tooth and can be made from various materials, such as porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, gold, and zirconium. Crowns made of porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, and zirconium can be closely matched to the color of your natural teeth. Dental crowns can last for 5 to 15 years before they need to be replaced.
Dental inlays and onlays are used to restore teeth when the cavities are too big for a simple filling but not severe enough to justify employing a dental crown. In such cases, a custom-shaped restoration will be bonded to the decayed tooth to repair it.
A dental bridge is a restoration used to replace one of several missing teeth in a row. Typically, dental bridges rely on the surrounding natural teeth for support and literally bridge the gap between them with artificial crowns. Dental bridges can be matched in color and shade to your teeth to look natural in the mouth.
Dentures can replace several missing teeth—partial dentures—or an entire arch of missing teeth—full dentures. Typically, dentures rely on the gums and the jawbone for support. If you have enough jawbone density, you can opt for implant-supported dentures. This type of denture is attached to several implanted metal posts and is much more stable compared to traditional dentures.
Dentures are typically removable and should be stored in a unique solution or water at night. Depending on the material your dentures are made of, they can last for 7 to 10 years.
Dental implants are used to replace a decayed or missing tooth. An implant consists of a metal post placed directly into the jawbone and a dental crown. The metal post fuses with the bone over time and acts similarly to the natural roots of a tooth, providing stable and secure support for the crown. Dental implants look natural in the mouth and, with proper care, can last for up to 30 years.
One of the advantages of dental implants compared to dentures is that they offer up to 90% of the natural bite force, allowing a patient to enjoy a variety of foods. Another advantage is that the metal post of an implant stimulates the jawbone similarly to the natural roots. Thus, it prevents bone resorption—jawbone density loss that leads to changes in facial structure.
Do not hesitate to make an appointment with a dentist in Mission Viejo to receive high-quality dental services. At Smile Dental Boutique, we use modern materials and up-to-date restorative dentistry methods to deliver reliable results. We are looking forward to your visit.
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