Restorative Center

Basic Restoration

A basic restoration or “filling” is the removal of a decayed portion of the tooth and then the tooth is “filled” with either silver amalgam or tooth colored composite resin.

Advantages of silver fillings:
Durability – silver fillings usually outlast composite fillings

Strength – can withstand chewing forces

Expense – is less expensive than composite fillings

Advantages of composites:

Aesthetics – the shade/color of the composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth; is particularly well suited for use in front teeth or visible parts of teeth

Versatility in uses – in addition to use as a filling material for decay, composite fillings can also be used to repair chipped, broken, or worn front teeth

Crown

A dental crown is a tooth shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth: covering the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance.

The crown, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line

A dental crown may be needed in the following situations:

• Protect a weak tooth from breaking
• Restore an already broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn
• Cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there is not a lot of tooth left
• Hold a dental bridge in place
• Cover misshapened or severely discolored teeth

Bridge

Dental bridges, bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

A bridge is made up of two crowns for the teeth on either side of the missing tooth. These two anchoring teeth are called abutment teeth, and a false tooth/teeth in between. These false teeth are called pontics and can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain, or a combination of these materials. Dental bridges are supported by natural teeth.

Bridges can:

• Restore your smile
• Restore your ability to properly chew and speak
• Distribute the forces in your bite properly by replacing missing teeth
• Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

Full Denture and Partial Denture

A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Two types of dentures are available – complete and partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.