Questions!!!...=)

Restoration of teeth:

• What is a Dental Restorations?
  

Dental restorations are procedures to repair a damaged or decayed tooth. The most common type of restorative dentistry is a filling, which may be amalgam (silver), composite resin (white) or other materials. Crowns may be used when a filling will not be enough to strengthen the tooth, such as after root canal treatment or apicoectomy. Inlays and onlays are similar to crowns.

• Why should a damaged or decayed tooth be restored?

Tooth decay is the destruction of teeth due to the interaction of teeth with bacteria and food. Plaque build-up can lead to tartar formation and, eventually, cavities (dental caries) and/or gum disease. Tooth injuries can involve a damaged, fractured or cracked tooth, as well as trauma such as tooth loss. Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching) can lead to tooth surface loss.

1. what are the available dental restorations?
   

There are different types of dental restorations which are used in particular situations.

• Amalgam restoration
  

An amalgam is an alloy or combination of two or more metals.

Amalgam fillings
Preparation		After		Amalgam fillings

• Bonding Or Composite Restoration
  "The superglue of dentistry"
  

Composite resin is a plastic tooth-coloured material that is used as a filling. It is also called a white or plastic filling. The process of fusing the filling material to the tooth is called bonding.

White fillings		Decay before		After repair
White fillings		Fracture of front tooth		Cosmetic repair

• Inlay restoration
  An inlay is a solid filling that is cemented into a tooth that has been specially prepared for it.

Porcelain inlays

Before

Preparation

After

Gold inlays

Before

Preparation

After

See Bonding

• Onlay restoration

An onlay is a modified inlay. It is also made by a dental technician, from the impression taken of a prepared cavity.

Before

After

• Replacement crown or "crown"

A replacement crown does exactly what its name implies, it replaces the natural crown of a tooth. It is often simply called a crown.

Before

Preparation

After

See Replacement Crowns for more information.

• Porcelain veneer restoration
  The porcelain veneer is cemented into place, using a special cement that bonds it to the tooth.

Before

After

• What is a composite resin restoration?

Composite resin is a plastic tooth-coloured material that is used as a filling. It is also called a white or plastic filling.

• What is bonding?

Bonding is the process of repairing a tooth with a composite filling .

• When is bonding of special use?

Bonding has all the qualities needed for cosmetic dentistry. This applies particularly to the repair of discoloured front teeth..

The visible surface of a front tooth can be "re-surfaced" with the use of composites. This will, however, be less durable than a porcelain veneer.

White fillings		Decay before		After filling
White fillings		Fracture of tooth		Cosmetic repair