Restorative dentistry

Bonding (Aesthetic Contouring)
This technique can be used to alter the shape of worn or chipped teeth. Composite (tooth colored) materials are used to reshape defects and close spaces between teeth. The procedure can be done quickly, but there are better, longer lasting alternatives such as veneers or crowns.

Bridges
Bridges are restorations designed to replace a missing tooth (or teeth). A crown is placed on the teeth directly on either side of the missing tooth. A fake tooth is then permanently attached between these crowns forming the bridge. There is a limit to the space which can be bridged and adequate support is required both in front of, and behind the missing tooth for long term success.

Crowns
Crowns (also known as caps) are restorative materials used to completely cover a tooth that has either been weakened or needs esthetic improvement, prolonging the life of the tooth. There are many reasons that a crown may be indicated:

  • Fractured tooth structure that has not yet become a problem
  • Severe loss of tooth structure (from decay or fracture) that is too large for a simple filling
  • Discolored or incorrectly shaped tooth structure
  • Root canal treated posterior teeth need crowns for a long, healthy life

There four main types of crowns:

  1. Gold Crowns are a mix of at least 80% gold and other metals added for hardening. While no longer the most popular, gold crowns are still the best from a dental perspective. Gold is less abrasive than porcelain or lesser metals against your opposing teeth and the gold itself has an antibacterial property.
  2. Porcelain Fused to Metal (PFM) Crowns use an underlying layer of metal that is completely covered with porcelain. Our office only offers High Noble Metal (like gold) PFM crowns because lesser metals are too unpredictable.
  3. Porcelain Crowns are comprised solely of porcelain, these crowns are used mainly for anterior teeth. They are very strong, but not recommended for the posterior teeth which must withstand severe pressure from biting.
  4. Base Metal Crowns are made predominantly of base metals. These crowns are cheaper in cost but much less predictable for long-term results. We feel type of crown are inadequate and don't offer them as a treatment option.

Fillings
Tooth-colored fillings are one of the most significant leaps in patient care that dentistry has made. Previously, amalgam (mercury/silver fillings) was the only choice for filling decayed teeth. Unfortunately, not an ideal solution, amalgams often chipped between the filling and tooth, leading to further decay. In addition, excess tooth structure was removed to ensure the filling would stay in place which made it more likely for parts of the remaining tooth to break off.

Today, composite materials actually bond to the tooth structure and have many advantages including:

  • Decreased tooth removal
  • Support for remaining tooth structure
  • Less breakdown at the margin of the tooth and the filling
  • Optimal esthetics with color-matching to your teeth
  • Improved strength
  • Elimination of mercury

For all of these reasons, our office only offers tooth-colored fillings.

Inlays and Onlays
When the cavity is too large to be filled with tooth-colored filling, but not large enough for crown, inlays or onlays are utilized. These fillings are usually made of porcelain or gold in a dental lab and require two or more office visits for completion.