Direct Dental Restoration

A direct dental restoration is one that is created and placed entirely within the mouth. During this process, we will replace small amounts of damaged tooth structure with a filling. Once the filling is in place, our dentist will harden the material with ultraviolet light to create a permanent seal which restores tooth functionality by preventing reinfection or further damage.
There are various types of filling options, including:

• Amalgam: Amalgam fillings consist of a mixture of mercury, tin, copper, or silver and are very durable but do not match the color of surrounding teeth.
• Cast gold: Cast gold fillings are strong enough to last for longer than 15 years but are more expensive than other filling materials.
• Ceramic: Ceramic fillings are usually made of porcelain and are more resistant to staining than composite fillings.
• Composite: Composite fillings provide durability and strength for small to mid-size cavities and are tooth-colored to appear more natural.
• Glass ionomer: Glass ionomer fillings consist of silicate glass-powder used in temporary fillings, decay around the gum lines, or baby teeth.

Understanding Indirect Dental Restoration

In contrast to a direct dental restoration, an indirect restoration must be created outside of the mouth before being applied to teeth. Types of indirect restorations include the following:

• Veneers: A veneer is a thin shell that covers the front of a tooth, restoring the visible appearance of a tooth that has been damaged by stains or chips.
• Inlays: An inlay is a restoration created to fill in part of the tooth cavity that has been prepared. It can span tooth cusps but does not include them.
• Onlays: An onlay is a restoration created to fill in part of the tooth cavity that includes one or more tooth cusps, so it is always larger than an inlay.
• Implants: An implant is a metal rod inserted into the bone socket and covered with a replacement tooth, such as a crown.
• Crowns: A tooth-shaped crown can be placed over a damaged tooth or onto a dental implant rod to restore a tooth’s function and appearance.
• Bridges: A bridge is a set of false teeth that fills in gaps left by missing teeth. A bridge can be permanently anchored into place by flanking crowns.

When a Dental Restoration Is Necessary

Dental restoration can help weakened teeth due to severe decay or damage and help prevent further complications. Direct dental restorations or fillings are necessary to stop the decay process while leaving the teeth intact. Fillings can also restore fractured, broken teeth, or worn down teeth resulting from misuse such as nail-biting or tooth grinding.

Indirect dental restorations are necessary when a filling is not enough to restore teeth functionality. Crowns are good restorative options for unstable teeth, while a bridge can replace multiple damaged teeth to restore proper chewing function. Additionally, a dental implant can replace a missing tooth and prevent problems like jawbone erosion and impaired chewing.

Dental Restoration Candidacy

The right patients for a dental restoration procedure are people with structural tooth damage. Our dentist will consider several factors when determining the right dental restoration treatment for a patient. These factors include the type, extent, and location of the damage.

These procedures are best for patients with cavities or other localized dental problems. Patients who do not have enough supportive tooth structure to restore a tooth properly are good candidates for indirect restorations. Patients with more extensive tooth damage may require indirect dental restorations to provide additional strength.