Tooth decay has significantly diminished over the years due to use of fluorides and an increase in patient awareness. However, teeth are still susceptible to decay infection and breakage and sometimes need to be restored back to health .Through improved techniques modern technology. We now are able to offer more options for restoring a tooth back to its normal appearance.
Minor restorations
Fillings: There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages .You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite (tooth colored) along with Amalgam (silver colored) materials are the most widely used materials today.
Amalgam (silver colored fillings) Composite (tooth colored)
Major restorations
Crowns: A crown (or a cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other restorations. Although there are several types of crowns, the porcelains (tooth colored crown) are the most popular, they resemble your natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years. But like most restorations, they will eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape and color of your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.
Reasons for crowns:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Large fillings
- Tooth has a root canal
Root canal Therapy: Root canal is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection .In order to save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerve, bacteria and any decay are removed and the resulting space is filling with special medicated dental materials, which restores the tooth to its full functions. Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and have to be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling a tooth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems to adjacent teeth.
Denture & partial dentures: A denture is removable dental appliances replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to closely resemble your natural teeth and may even enhance your smile.
There are two types of dentures conventional or immediate. Complete dentures are used when all the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain. Partial denture not only fills into the spaces created by missing teeth. It prevents other teeth from shifting.
Partial denture Complete denture
Bridges: A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth. There are several types of bridges. You and your dentist will discuss the best options for your particular case. The traditional bridge is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. Porcelain fixed bridges are mostly popular because they resemble your natural teeth. This type of bridge consists to two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and attached to pontics (artificial teeth) filing the gap created by one or more missing teeth.
Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.
