Restorative Dentistry Procedures

Composite fillings

Resin composite fillings are made of a ceramic and plastic compound. Because resin mimics the appearance of natural teeth, these fillings blend right in. They’re also known as “white fillings” or “tooth-colored fillings.”

You and your dentist can decide which type of filling is best for you, taking into account the size and location of the cavity, your dental history, cosmetic concerns and cost. They can be used on either front or back teeth. They are a good choice for people who prefer that their fillings look more natural.

Porcelain crowns

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth. The cap restores the tooth’s shape and size, strength, and appearance.

The crowns, when cemented into place, cover the visible portion of a tooth. A dental crown may be needed to:

Protect a weak tooth (for example, from decay) from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth
Restore a broken tooth or a severely worn down tooth
Cover and support a tooth with a large filling and not much tooth remaining
Hold a dental bridge in place
Cover misshaped or severely discolored teeth
Cover a dental implant
Cover a tooth treated with a root canal

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Bridges

Dental bridges literally bridge the gap created by one or more missing teeth. A typical bridge consists of 2 crowns (1 on each side of the gap created by missing tooth/teeth) and a false tooth/teeth (that fill in the gap and is attached to the crowns). These 2 crowned ‘anchoring teeth’ are called abutment teeth. These supporting teeth can be natural teeth or dental implants. The false tooth/teeth in between the anchoring teeth are called pontics. Bridges can be made from gold, alloys, porcelain or a combination of these materials.

There are 3 main types of bridges:

Traditional fixed bridges consist of 2 or more crowns and a filler tooth/teeth. The filler tooth/teeth are attached to one or more crowns. The crowns keep the bridge in place. Traditional bridges are the most common type of bridge and are made of either porcelain fused to metal or ceramics.
Cantilever bridges are used when there are teeth on only 1 side of the missing tooth or teeth (there are no teeth next to the other side of the missing tooth/teeth.
Maryland bonded bridges (also called a resin-bonded bridge or a Maryland bridge) are made of porcelain fused to metal teeth supported by a metal framework. Metal wings on each side of the bridge are bonded to your existing teeth. This type of bridge is commonly used to replace front teeth.

Veneers

Dental veneers (sometimes called porcelain veneers or dental porcelain laminates) are wafer-thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve your appearance. These shells are bonded to the front of the teeth changing their color, shape, size, or length.

Dental veneers can be made from porcelain or from resin composite materials. Porcelain veneers resist stains better than resin veneers and better mimic the light reflecting properties of natural teeth. You will need to discuss the best choice of veneer material for you with your dentist.

Teeth bonding

Dental bonding is a procedure in a tooth-colored resin material is bonded to the teeth. This procedure is used to repair teeth, change their shape or close gaps between them.

Dental bonding can be used to:

Repair decayed teeth (composite resins are used to fill cavities)
Repair chipped or cracked teeth
Improve the appearance of discolored teeth
Close spaces between teeth
Make teeth look longer
Change the shape of teeth
Replace amalgam (such as silver) fillings for a comsmetic alternative
Protect a portion of the tooth's root that has been exposed when gums recede (move toward the root of the tooth).