What is a Dental Restoration?
A dental restoration is a procedure to either replace or retore the lost tooth or tooth structure. It may involve placing a dental filler material or replace it entirely with a new artificial crown. The purpose of a dental restoration is to relieve pain, restore tooth function, improve smile and inculcate confidence. Tooth restorations can be broadly categorized into the following:
01. Dental Fillings
02. Inlays and onlays
03. Dental crowns
04. Dental implants
05. Dentures
It is upon your dentist to decide which is the most appropriate form of dental restoration after thoroughly evaluating your condition and available natural tooth structure. To get evaluated and treated by some of the best dentists from around the world, consult Ortil.
Types of Dental Restorations
Dental fillings are done in cases where dental caries has just been started and only a small part of the tooth structure is decayed. The dentist removes the decayed part and fill the space using a restorative material.
Post-procedural care of Dental Fillings
In order to maintain the dental filling for a long time, it is highly crucial to following the instructions provided by the dentist. These instructions include:
01. Following an oral hygiene routine regularly.
02. Avoid chewing extremely hard food.
03. Use fluoride-containing toothpaste to prevent further tooth decay.
04. If you have a habit of clenching of teeth, consult your dentist to have a mouth guard.
05. If you feel sudden sensitivity, consult your dentist as the restoration may have fallen off
Dental Filling Procedure
The dentist examines the tooth condition and starts by administering a local anesthesia to prevent any discomfort. The decayed tooth structure is removed by using a drill. Thereafter, the cavity is given an accurate shape to contain the dental filling in the best way. Extra dental material is then removed to facilitate the correct bite. Additional steps may be added depending upon the type of material used for the restoration. Patients are supposed to avoid eating or drinking anything for next 1-2 hours, and avoid chewing hard food for next 24 hours.
Here are some commonly used dental filling materials:
01. Amalgam Restoration - This has been the most traditional and conventional dental material used for dental fillings. This material is known for its strength and durability. Amalgam restoration are made of a combination of several metals along with amalgam. While providing a great strength for chewing food, these types of fillings are not aesthetically pleasing.
02. Composite - These are tooth-coloured dental restorations which are strong as well as provide natural appearance. These types of tooth restorations are ideal for medium sized to large cavities. Additionally, these are commonly used in cases of front teeth decay and chipped off teeth.
03. Metal Fillings - These mostly include gold or silver amalgam fillings. The most beneficial aspect of metal fillings is strength and long-lasting nature. While some people prefer having gold fillings, other may only go for tooth-coloured fillings.
04. Glass Ionomer Cement Filling - Glass ionomer cement is a combination of acrylic and glass used for dental restoration. One of the most prominent advantages is that it releases fluoride which helps in the prevention of dental caries. This is comparatively less durable and may need to be replaced after 5 years.
Inlays and Onlays
These are the indirect form of dental fillings that are prepared in the laboratory. These are typically used when the tooth cavity is excessively large. Inlay is made of solid and customized material. After taking the impression, inlays are cast into the required shape. An inlay fits well into the grooves but does not extend over the cusps. Onlays are larger than inlays but smaller in size than a dental crown. Used to fill very large cavities, onlays extend over the cusps. Some of the common benefits of inlays and onlays are:
01. Resistance to tooth fracture
02. Resistance to stains
03. Natural appearance
04. Custom-made according to a tooth structure
05. Long-lasting
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