Restorations
Due to the many advances in modern dentistry over the last decade or two, there are today many options, new techniques and technology to choose from to restore teeth back to their normal shape, appearance and function, should this be needed.
Should your teeth ever require restorative treatment be sure to discuss with your dentist the available options, and get his/her recommendation on the most appropriate, most comfortable and least invasive treatment before you make a decision.
Reasons for restorative dentistry:
- To repair damaged and decayed teeth.
- To prevent loss of the tooth or teeth.
- To relieve dental pain.
- To fill in unattractive spaces between teeth.
- To improve or correct an improper bite.
- To replace absent or lost teeth.
- To replace old or unattractive dental restorations.
- To restore normal eating and chewing function.
- To enhance your smile!
Amalgam Fillings
Amalgam fillings are used to repair teeth that are decayed, cracked or fractured.
Of the many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, amalgam is one of the oldest filling materials available. Amalgam is no longer as popular a filling material as it used to be a decade or so ago. However, amalgam is still in use as a fairly cheap and effective filling material and you and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Amalgam fillings are used mainly in the back teeth since the silver to grayish black colour of amalgam is not very aesthetically pleasing.
As with most dental restorations, amalgam fillings will not last forever and sometimes need to be replaced. However, with proper care they are very durable, and will last for many years.
Why are amalgam fillings needed?
- To restore decayed teeth.
- To restore cracked or fractured teeth.
- To protect worn teeth.
How is an amalgam filling done?
Amalgam fillings are usually placed during a single dental visit. If needed your dentist will numb the tooth to be filled and will remove all the decay. The cavity in the tooth will then be thoroughly cleaned and dried and the filling placed. If the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special lining material will be applied underneath the amalgam for added protection. The amalgam filling will be shaped and smoothed, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.
It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when amalgam fillings are first placed. This will subside with time as your tooth acclimates to the new filling.
Your dentist will give you instructions about the care of your fillings. Good oral hygiene practices and eating habits, as well as regular dental check-ups will aid in the life of your new fillings.
Composite Fillings Back to Top of Page
Composite (tooth colored) fillings are used to repair teeth that are affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc.
Of the many types of filling materials available, composite fillings are the material that is rapidly gaining in popularity. However, each filling material has its own advantages and disadvantages and you should discuss with your dentist the best options for restoring your teeth.
Because composite fillings are tooth colored and come in a variety of shades, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are very aesthetically pleasing.
As with most dental restorations, composite fillings will not last forever and sometimes need to be replaced. However, with proper care they are very durable, will last for many years and because they are very natural in appearance, will give you a beautiful smile.
Why are composite fillings needed?
- To restore decayed teeth.
- To restore chipped, cracked or broken teeth.
- To close diastemas (small spaces between teeth).
- To build-up and protect worn teeth.
How are composite fillings placed?
Composite fillings are usually placed during a single dental visit. If needed your dentist will numb the tooth to be filled and will remove all the decay. The cavity in the tooth will then be thoroughly cleaned and dried. The tooth will be treated with a weak acid, rinsed again, a bonding solution will be applied and the filling placed. Once the filling is in place a special curing light is shined on the filling and the filling will set.
Once the filling is hard it will be shaped and polished to precisely match the surrounding teeth
It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when composite fillings are first placed. This will subside with time as your tooth acclimates to the new filling.
Your dentist will give instructions about the care of your fillings. Good oral hygiene practices and eating habits, as well as regular dental check-ups will aid in the life of your new fillings.
Inlay Restorations Back to Top of Page
An inlay restoration is a custom made filling made of metal (usually gold), composite material or porcelain. It is made by a dental technician and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.
Inlays are used to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Inlays are an ideal alternative to conventional amalgam and composite fillings. Inlays are more conservative than crowns because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of inlays.
As with most dental restorations, inlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. However, inlays are highly durable and will last many years.
Why are inlay restorations needed?
- To repair decayed teeth or broken teeth.
- To replace large or fractured fillings.
- For cosmetic enhancement.
How are inlay restorations placed?
Getting an inlay restoration usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) that will be used to create your custom inlay and a temporary restoration.
While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials from the tooth. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an inlay restoration. A temporary filling will be placed to protect the tooth while your inlay is made by a dental laboratory.
At your second appointment your new inlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable.
You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new inlay.
Onlay Restorations Back to Top of Page
An onlay restoration is a custom made filling made of metal (usually gold), composite material or porcelain. An onlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown. It is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist.
Onlays are used to conservatively repair teeth that have large defective fillings or have been damaged by decay or trauma. Onlays are an ideal alternative to crowns (caps) because less tooth structure is removed in the preparation of onlays. Onlays are essentially identical to inlays with the exception that one or more of the chewing cusps have also been affected and need to be covered by the restoration.
As with most dental restorations, onlays are not always permanent and may someday require replacement. However, onlays are highly durable and will last many years.
Why are onlay restorations needed?
- To repair decayed teeth or broken teeth.
- To replace large or fractured fillings.
- For cosmetic enhancement.
How are onlay restorations placed?
Getting an onlay restoration usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate impressions (molds) that will be used to create your custom onlay and a temporary restoration.
While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and/or old filling materials from the tooth. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, shaping the surface to properly fit an onlay restoration. A temporary filling will be placed to protect the tooth while your onlay is made by a dental laboratory.
At your second appointment your new onlay will be carefully and precisely cemented into place. A few adjustments may be necessary to ensure a proper fit and that your bite is comfortable.
You will receive care instruction at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, a proper diet, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new onlay.
Crowns (Caps) Back to Top of Page
A crown, sometimes called a cap, is a restoration that covers the entire surface of the tooth restoring the tooth it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
Different materials can be used to make crowns. Metal (gold), porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal can be used. Of these, porcelain or porcelain and metal combinations, providing a tooth colored crown, are the most popular. Crowns are highly durable and will last for many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain and porcelain metal combination crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth giving them a very natural appearance.
Why are crowns needed?
- To restore broken or fractured teeth.
- For cosmetic enhancement.
- To restore badly decayed teeth.
- To replace fractured fillings or overly large fillings.
- To strengthen teeth which had root canal treatment.
How is a crown fitted?
Getting a crown usually means two appointments. During the first appointment several highly accurate impressions (or molds) will be made of your teeth. These will be used to create your custom crown. An impression might also be used to create a temporary crown which will be fitted to your tooth until your new crown is fabricated by a dental technician. This usually takes about 1-2 weeks.
While the tooth is numb, the dentist will prepare the tooth to accept your crown. Any decay will be removed and the tooth will be shaped in such a way to properly fit the crown. Once this shaping has been done, your temporary crown will be cemented in place with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.
During your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully cemented to your tooth, ensuring the spacing and bite is accurate.
You will be shown and given instructions on how to care for your new crown.
Fixed Bridges Back to Top of Page
A bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth.
There are several types of bridges. Your dentist will discuss the various options and assist you to make the best choice for your particular case. The “traditional bridge” is usually made of porcelain fused to metal and consists of two or more crowns that fit over the anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to artificial teeth (pontics), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
Dental bridges are highly durable and will last for many years, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.
Why are fixed bridges needed?
- To replace missing teeth.
- To prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position.
- To restore function (chewing and speaking).
- To restore your smile.
- To maintain your facial shape.
- As an upgrade from a removable partial denture.
How is a fixed bridge fitted?
Getting a fixed bridge usually means two or more appointments. After numbing teeth, the anchoring teeth are prepared by removing a portion of the tooth structure so that crowns can be fitted. Accurate impressions (molds) are made. This will be used by a dental technician to fabricate your crown. A temporary bridge will be made out of a plastic material and cemented with temporary cement until your bridge is ready.
During the second appointment, your permanent bridge will be carefully checked, adjusted, and cemented to achieve a proper fit. Occasionally your dentist may decide to only temporarily cement the bridge, allowing your teeth and gum tissue time to get used to the new bridge. The new bridge will then be permanently cemented at a later stage.
You will be shown and given instructions on how to care for your new fixed bridge. Proper brushing and flossing will extend the life of your new permanent bridge.
Dental Implants Back to Top of Page
Dental implants are an effective way to replace missing teeth. Implants also provide a permanent and fixed alternative to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants are also used to provide excellent support and stability to removable dentures that are ‘clipped’ to implants.
Dental implants are artificial roots, usually made of metal (titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist, periodontist or oral surgeon. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and are often indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years. On occasion however, they might need re-tightening or replacement due to normal wear.
Why are dental implants needed?
- To replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
- To support fixed bridges or dentures.
- To support removable dentures, making them really secure and comfortable.
- To prevent teeth shifting into the space of other missing teeth.
- To restore function (chewing, digestion and speech).
- To restore a patient’s smile!
How are dental implants placed?
The process of getting implants requires a number of appointments, sometimes over the duration of several months.
During your initial appointment X-rays and impressions (molds) are taken of the jaw and teeth to determine if sufficient bone, gum tissue, and space are available to fit the implants. While the area is numb, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone and allowed to heal and integrate itself onto the bone for up to six months.
Depending on the type of implant, a second stage of surgery may be required in order to expose the implant and to fit the implant with a “post” that will hold the artificial tooth in place. In other cases the “post” is fitted to the implant at the same time the implant is placed in the gums.
After several weeks of healing, the crown, bridge or denture (depending on the case) are made and fitted to the post portion of the implant. Several appointments might be needed for this depending on the type of structure fitted to the implant.
You will be shown and given instructions on how to care for your implants and the structures fitted to them. Good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing as well as healthy eating habits will greatly extend the life of your implants!
Dentures & Partial Dentures Back to Top of Page
Dentures are removable dental appliances used as replacement for missing teeth and surrounding gum tissue. Dentures are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and if properly made can appear very natural.
Two types of dentures can be made:
- Complete dentures are made when all of the teeth in a dental arch are absent.
- Partial dentures are used to replace absent teeth in a dental arch with some natural teeth remaining. Partial dentures fill the spaces left by absent teeth and at the same time prevent the remaining teeth from shifting.
When dentures are made to replace teeth that cannot be restored, and must be removed as part of the treatment, these dentures may be either “conventional” or “immediate.”
- Conventional dentures are made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed completely. This may take between 4-6 weeks or even longer. During this healing period the patient will go without teeth.
- Immediate dentures are made in advance and immediately placed once the teeth are removed. There is thus no need for the patient to be without teeth during the healing period. However, as the gum tissues heal where teeth have been removed, the gum tissue will shrink and adjustments to the dentures will have to be made.
When dentures are made to replace existing dentures the conventional type are made and the patient can wear his/her existing dentures during the time it takes to fabricate the new dentures.
Dentures are very durable appliances and will last many years, but may have to be remade, repaired, or readjusted due to normal wear.
Why are dentures needed?
- To replace all the teeth in a dental arch - Complete Denture
- To replace one or more, but not all of the teeth in a dental arch - Partial Denture
- To improve function (chewing, digestion and speech)
- To restore esthetics and enhancing smiles!
How are dentures made and fitted?
Getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. Accurate impressions (molds) and measurements are taken and used to create your custom denture. More than one “try-in” appointments may be needed to ensure proper shape, color, and fit. At the final appointment, your dentist will precisely adjust and place your denture, ensuring a natural and comfortable fit.
It is normal to experience increased saliva flow, some soreness, and possible speech and chewing difficulty after new dentures have been fitted. This will subside once your muscles and tissues get used to the new dentures and your dentist makes any adjustments that might be needed.
You will be shown and given instructions on how to care for as well as how to remove and fit your new dentures. Proper cleaning of your dentures and practicing good oral hygiene are essential to extend the life of your new dentures.
Root Canal Therapy Back to Top of Page
Root canal therapy is the removal of the nerves and living tissue from the inside of a tooth and its roots. This is necessary when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. Rather than to remove the tooth itself, the living tissue inside the tooth (the pulp), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed . The space left by this cleaning of the inside of the tooth and its roots is then filled with special, medicated, dental materials. This restores the tooth to normal function.
Many patients believe that removing a problem tooth is preferable to having root canal therapy carried out, but do not realise that removing a tooth will ultimately be more costly and may cause significantly more problems than are solved.
Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime, although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.
Indications that root canal therapy might be necessary:
- An abscess (pimple) on the gums.
- Sensitivity to hot and cold.
- Severe toothache.
- Swelling and/or tenderness.
- Discolouration of a tooth.
- Sometimes no symptoms are present.
Why is root canal therapy needed?
- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth).
- Infection or an abscess has developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
- Injury or trauma to the tooth.
How is root canal therapy done?
Root canal therapy is done over one or more appointments.
After the tooth is numbed, an access opening is made through the tooth and a series of root canal files are placed into the opening, one at a time, removing the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. If tooth decay is present, this will also be removed.
Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be rinsed with special cleaning solutions and sealed with either a permanent filling or, if more appointments are needed to finish the cleaning, a temporary filling will be placed.
At the final appointment, usually a week or two later, the roots and the inside cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling will be placed to cover the access opening through tooth.
Teeth which had root canal treatment often fracture easier than untreated teeth and it is often recommended that these teeth should have a crowns (caps) placed to protect them from breaking and to restore them to full function.
After root canal treatment, treated teeth may still be sensitive, but this will subside as the inflammation diminishes and the teeth heal.
