Straight Teeth in Less Time
A Comprehensive Guide to Dental Restoration: Types, Benefits, and Procedure
Lois Murray
Our teeth are one of the most important parts of our body, not only for aesthetic reasons but for functional ones as well. However, tooth decay, gum disease, or tooth loss can severely impact our oral health, making it difficult to eat, speak, and smile confidently. Thankfully, with the advancement of dental technology, dental restoration has become a widely accessible solution for a number of dental problems. In this comprehensive guide, we will take a closer look at the various types of dental restoration, the benefits they offer, and the procedures involved.
Types of Dental Restorations:
In general, dental restorations can be categorized into two types: direct and indirect. Direct restorations are those that are created inside the patient’s mouth; examples include dental fillings, inlays, or onlays. On the other hand, indirect restorations are made outside the patient’s mouth and then fitted to the tooth accordingly, examples include crowns, veneers, or bridges. Different materials, such as porcelain, gold, or composite resin, can be used for each type of restoration.
Benefits of Dental Restorations:
Dental restoration offers a number of benefits, including; improved appearance, better oral function, pain relief, and prevention of further decay or damage. Moreover, modern technologies such as CAD/CAM systems, digital X-rays, and 3D printing have reduced the time and complexity of procedures, making dental restorations more comfortable, accurate, and long-lasting.
Procedures of Dental Restoration:
The procedure and timeline of dental restoration may differ depending on the type of restoration required. Here we provide an overview of the most common types of dental restorations and their procedures.
- Dental Fillings: These are completed in a single visit, and require the removal of diseased or decayed tissue. The cavity is then filled with composite resin or alloy.
- Crowns: These are caps that protect and restore damaged or worn teeth, they require preparation of the tooth, a temporary crown, and a second visit when the permanent crown is ready to be cemented.
- Veneers: These are thin shells fitted to the front surface of the teeth, they require tooth preparation and two visits. The second visit is when the veneers are bonded to the teeth.
- Dental Bridges: When one or more teeth are missing, a dental bridge requires the use of abutment teeth to anchor the bridge, so the process involves two visits: one for preparation of the abutment teeth, and the second for fitting the bridge.
After-care of Dental Restoration:
After undergoing any dental restoration procedure, your dental practitioner will recommend specific after-care procedures, like flossing, brushing, and mouthwash use. It’s important to follow these recommendations to ensure the longevity of the restoration.
A healthy, attractive smile is a priceless asset, but there are many factors that can negatively impact our oral health. Dental restorations offer a convenient and long-lasting solution for issues such as decay, damage, or tooth loss. The key to successful restoration is to work with a professional dentist, and a team, who can guide you through the process, and advise on the after-care and maintenance needed to ensure your new, healthy smile lasts as long as possible.
Contact a local dentist to learn more about dental restoration work.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.