Restorative dentistry deals with the fabrication of tooth-colored restorations to restore the teeth to their ideal functionality and appearance. It involves treating teeth that are worn down, damaged, missing, weak, naturally misshapen, decayed, etc. Some of the most popular restorations are veneers, crowns, bridges, implants, fillings, etc.
Dental veneers
Dental veneers are thin, flat pieces of ceramic. They are custom-fabricated according to the shape and contour of a tooth and fit precisely on its frontal surface.
What is the procedure involved?
Since veneers are custom manufactured to fit on a particular tooth, the dentist would take a precise digital impression of the tooth, which requires the veneer. It will be sent to a dental laboratory where the veneer is fabricated from dental-grade ceramic. Until the permanent veneer is made, the dentist may give you a temporary veneer for regular usage. When the permanent veneer is ready, the tooth is thoroughly cleaned and prepared, and the veneer will be bonded onto the surface of the tooth.
What are the uses of veneers?
- They are used to treat teeth that are chipped and misshapen.
- They can be used to reduce the excessive gap between two adjacent teeth.
- They enhance the appearance of discolored teeth.
- They are used to provide stability to a tooth that has cracked.
Dental Crowns
Crowns, or commonly called dental caps, are dental restorations that cover an entire tooth. Just like veneers, they are custom-fabricated according to the shape, size, and contour of a tooth.
Procedure for placing a crown
The process of placing a crown is similar to that of a veneer. Crowns are usually made from ceramic. A digital mold of the tooth that requires the crown is taken and sent to a dental laboratory, where it serves as a reference for fabricating the crown. This takes a few weeks to be done, and hence, the dentist would give you a temporary crown to be used during this period. Once the permanent crown is finished, the dentist would bond it to the tooth with the help of dental adhesives. The adhesive would be hardened using a curing light.
What are the uses of crowns?
- Crowns are used to change the contour of teeth that are damaged due to external trauma
- If a tooth is cracked or fractured, crowns help in holding it intact
- Discolored and misshapen teeth can be treated using crowns
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges are artificial tooth-like structures that are used to replace missing teeth. A dental bridge is essentially a combination of a prosthetic tooth and crowns on either side. The crowns provide anchorage and help in holding the bridge in place.
When it comes to the procedure, a precise mold is taken, which helps determine the shape and size of the bridge required. The bridge will be fabricated from dental-grade ceramic and will be coupled with two crowns. Dental adhesives are used to fix the bridge in place, after which the dentist checks for fit and comfort.
Other restorative dental procedures
- Bonding: Bonding is the process of applying several layers of composite resinous material on the tooth to change its shape and size. It is widely used to fill cavities and treat minor cracks on the teeth.
- Filling: Filling materials are tooth-colored and are made from either ceramic or composite. They are used to fill cavities on decayed teeth and also treat cracked teeth.
- Dental implants: Implants are artificial teeth that are used to replace missing teeth. They are fixed directly to the jawbone, which makes them the best replacement solution for missing teeth.
You may schedule a consultation with our team of dental experts by calling us at (317) 991-4725 or reaching us through an online query. We’re always happy to help.
