Dental restorations are dedicated to repair damaged or missing tooth structure. Its purpose is of great importance since it avoids degradation of oral health.
Why should we restore a damaged or missing tooth?
- To allow for proper masticatory function.
- To prevent any problems that may occur in the absence of intervention.
- To fill vacant space which stops the migration of neighbouring teeth.
- To maintain good dental hygiene, which eliminates the plaque and avoids the risk of infection.
- Tooth restoration embellishes the smile, which has a big impact on confidence and self-esteem.
The Four More Frequent Restorations
Your dental professional may suggest various treatments to replace missing teeth or to restore a damaged tooth. Dental fillings, crowns, implants and prostheses are the most frequent restorations.
Filings remain the number one choice to treat cavities. The bonded restorations are most often used to fill the teeth at the back of the mouth. The composite resin is used to correct various defects caused by cavities, fractures and more. It is generally applied on the visible face of the tooth for aesthetic reasons.
The dental crown is ideal to restore a broken or deformed tooth. It resembles a small hat to completely covers the damaged tooth to strengthen it and improve its aesthetics. It is almost always suggested after root canal treatments to decrease the risk of fracture.
The implant consists of two distinct parts: the screw (or post) at the end of which is built a connector, and the replacement tooth. A variety of implant-supported prostheses are available, such as a dental crown, bridge and complete or partial dentures. This restoration is the closest to natural teeth one can get. It will give you the same confidence, aesthetic and functionality than any natural smile.
A bridge will replace one or more missing teeth. It is permanently affixed to the adjacent teeth using porcelain-covered retainers or metal bands. Once installed, it resembles a natural tooth in all aspects.
Your dentist will guide you through the vast choice of restorations possible and lead you the option that best suits your oral health condition. Never hesitate to ask questions regarding the “how to” of the procedure and what will happen afterward. It will help you in making the right choice.