What Are The Different Types of Tooth Restorations and Their Uses?

Do you experience difficulties speaking or chewing due to missing, decayed, or damaged teeth? Thanks to restorative dentistry, our dentist in New Westminster can fix your dental problem and restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile naturally.

What are Dental Restorations?

Dental restorations are dental procedures used to repair damaged teeth or replace missing teeth to restore your oral function and health. Getting dental restorations sooner also helps prevent further to your teeth and mouth. If you have any dental defects, you should visit our dental clinic near you to learn how to benefit from dental restorations.

Types of Dental Restorations

Once the dentist has established the type and severity of your condition, they can recommend some of the following restorative procedures:

• • Dental crowns

Teeth crowns refer to dental caps placed over a damaged tooth to repair or hide the damage. Dental crowns have various purposes:

• • Holding together a chipped, cracked, or broken tooth
  • Strengthening a decayed or weakened tooth
  • Protecting a worn-down tooth
  • Covering and protecting a tooth with a large filling or after a root canal
  • Restoring the shape of an uneven or misshapen tooth
  • Covering up stained or discolored teeth
  • Dental implants

Missing teeth can significantly affect your oral function, health, and appearance. A dental implant is a restorative treatment used to replace a missing or severely damaged tooth that the dentist can’t save. The implant consists of titanium posts or screws implanted into the jawbone to replace the roots of the missing teeth.

The implant fuses with the underlying jawbone in a process known as osseointegration, which takes 3 – 6 months. Then, an abutment goes over the implant, connecting it with the outer restoration. Lastly, a dental crown goes over the abutment as the artificial tooth. Implants can also be used to restore a bridge or dentures.

• • Dental bridges

A tooth bridge is a dental restoration used to replace missing teeth. It consists of one or more artificial teeth supported by dental crowns or frameworks attached to your natural teeth. Dental implants can also anchor a bridge. Dental bridges cover the gaps left by missing teeth, improving your oral function and speech. The artificial teeth are customized to blend with your natural teeth for an esthetically appealing smile.

• • Dentures

Dentures are perhaps among the most common teeth replacement options among older adults. The denture consists of custom-made artificial teeth and gums used to replace missing teeth. A denture might be a good option if you’ve lost most or all of your natural teeth. A partial denture is ideal if you are only missing a few teeth and still have some healthy teeth, while a full denture is used to replace all your teeth.

• • Dental fillings

Cavities and other teeth damage can greatly affect your bite function and cause significant tooth pain or sensitivity. A dental filling is a restorative treatment that repairs tooth decay or damage. The procedure involves removing the damaged parts of the tooth and filling the areas with a dental filling material.

It strengthens the tooth and protects it from further damage. Common materials for dental fillings include silver fillings (amalgam), tooth-coloured fillings (composite resin), porcelain, gold, and glass ionomer.

• • Dental veneers

You can consider dental veneers if you have minor dental defects like chips, cracks, and gaps. Veneers are tooth-colored shells or coating that adhere to a tooth’s front to repair or hide the damage. While veneers are for cosmetic purposes, they can perfectly repair minor teeth damage like chips and protect your teeth against further damage.

• • Root canal therapy

A root canal treatment is a restorative procedure used to treat an infected tooth’s pulp. The pulp is the innermost tooth’s chamber containing blood vessels, nerves, and other connective tissues. The procedure involves removing the decayed or inflamed tooth’s pulp to prevent infection and save your tooth. The dentist can recommend a permanent filling or crown to protect the tooth from new infections and fractures.

• • Dental inlays and Onlays

Inlays and Onlays repair cavities and other teeth damage. These are commonly used when the damage is too big for a dental filling but too small for a crown. Inlays and Onlays are customized to fit into your natural teeth to strengthen and protect them from further damage.

• • Dental bonding

Like veneers, dental bonding repairs minor teeth damage on the tooth’s enamel, such as chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and misshapen. The dentist applies a tooth-colored composite resin material to the tooth and molds it accordingly to repair the damage.

Advantages of Restorative Dentistry

In summary, dental restorations provide the following benefits:

• Improve bite and speech function
• Improve oral health
• Eliminate dental pain and swelling
• Prevent future dental issues
• Improves the appearance of your smile

Are you interested in Restorative Dentistry?

For more information about dental restorations and whether they are right for you, visit our New Westminster dental clinic or contact Asante Dental Centre.