6 Types of Dental Restorations

​If you have damaged, crooked, worn, discolored, or unhealthy teeth, your dentist may recommend a dental restoration. Restorative dentistry focuses on restoring a patient’s smile through repairing or replacing teeth. 

The goal of restorative dentistry is to improve oral health and function. Some procedures will also address cosmetics and aesthetics. Dental restorations can also be used to prevent further damage or decay, helping to eliminate pain. Many can cover damaged tooth enamel, but none can bring back lost enamel. In some cases, the entire tooth can be replaced. Common dental restorations include fillings, crowns and bridges, veneers, inlays and onlays, dental implants, and removables.

Some indications of dental restorations include:

• Cavities;
• Tooth decay;
• Damaged or broken teeth;
• Missing teeth.

Types of Dental Restorations

​There are many types of restorative dental products and services available. They all have the common goal of improving chewing function while reducing the risk of dental issues in the future.

Dental Fillings

​Dental fillings are used to address cavities. Bacteria can eat away at enamel, leaving a small hole in the tooth. During the fillings process, the dentist removes the tooth decay and fills the remaining hole with composite. The material is tooth-colored and biocompatible. Fillings help prevent further spread of bacteria and provide a protective seal over the damaged area.

Crown and Bridge

​Dental crowns are used to repair large cavities, restore broken teeth, or replace missing teeth. They are sometimes referred to as a cap when they sit over the entire existing tooth. The dentist must remove some enamel to account for the crown space. Then, the crown is cemented on. Other crowns take the form of an artificial tooth to fulfill the edentulous space. It is not hollow and does not sit over a tooth. Instead, it is a solid artificial tooth that can be either cemented or screwed.

Dental bridges are used to address edentulous spaces. They can be used to replace a single missing tooth or a row of missing teeth. The standard dental bridge is made up of a row of crowns that are anchored on both ends. The crown(s) in the middle are solid artificial teeth called pontics and they fill an edentulous gap. The teeth on either side of the edentulous gap are shaven down to accommodate for the crowns that will be cemented over them. Another option is to use abutments and screws to anchor them. The pontics are not attached to the gums and instead sit directly on top of them. Over time, the tissue will grow naturally over the base of the teeth.

Dental Veneers

​Similar to crowns, dental veneers are shells that cover the natural tooth. However, the main difference is that veneers are bonded to the front surface of the teeth, making them less durable and restorative than crowns. They can be made with porcelain or composite resin. Veneers are mostly used for cosmetic purposes, but can bring uniformity to cracked or chipped teeth.

Inlays and Onlays

​Another alternative to treating cavities is by using dental inlays or onlays. An inlay or onlay is used when a cavity is too large for a filling, but too small for a crown. They are custom dental restorations that look similar to a crown. However, they do not cover the entire surface of the damaged tooth. Instead, an inlay rests on the center of the tooth’s surface, filling in the area between the cusps. An onlay covers the majority of the tooth’s surface, but not the whole thing and covers at least one cusp. They fit like a puzzle piece with the tooth’s natural structure. 

Dental Implant Solutions

​Dental implant solutions can be used for many restorative cases. They are threaded posts that serve as artificial tooth roots. They are medical devices used to anchor and secure dental crowns, bridges, and dentures. The two main types of implants are cement-retained and screw-retained implants. Both methods require surgery for placement.

Dentures

​Dentures can either be complete or partial. A full or complete denture replaces an entire edentulous arch. Partial dentures replace one or multiple edentulous spaces. They rest on the top of gums and use the jawbone for support. 

The traditional denture option allows the patient to insert and remove their appliance whenever they need. A second type of denture is an implant-supported denture. There are some that permanently reside in the mouth, and others that use a snap-in method that allow the denture to be taken in and out. Implant-supported dentures are a popular choice as they provide strong support while encouraging bone growth.

Dental Labs Near Me

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Sources:
Restorative Dentistry

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