What are restorations?

Tooth restorations are done to improve the appearance and function of the teeth. Tooth decay, failed restorations, and tooth fractures can lead to tooth loss and oral disease. With modern developments in dental materials and techniques, efficient ways to repair teeth are possible, and the most common approaches involve the use of fillings.

What are the different types of fillings?

• Ceramic Fillings - Ceramic restorations are made from porcelain, making them strong and aesthetically pleasing. Compared to composite resin fillings, which are less expensive but more susceptible to staining and wear, ceramic fillings are more aesthetically pleasing because they are colour-matched to the patient's teeth and look completely natural. Ceramic fillings are more brittle than composite ones, so they must be used on larger cavities to avoid breakage.
• Composite Fillings - Plastic and resin are used to make composite fillings. While still soft, these types of fillings are inserted into the tooth and cured with intense light. These fillings are made to look exactly like the patient's natural teeth and, as a result, have replaced silver amalgam fillings as the most popular choice. Composite fillings have a shorter lifespan than other options. They have a lifespan of about 5–10 years before they need to be replaced.
• Glass Ionomer Fillings - A combination of glass and acrylic is used to create this stuffing. Children with evolving teeth are the typical recipients of such appliances. These types of fillings prevent further decay by releasing fluoride into the tooth. Although they look great at first, they only last a few years before breaking or wearing out because they are not as durable as composite resin. As opposed to composite resin, regular glass ionomer lacks a natural appearance.
• Resin Ionomer Fillings - Resin ionomer cement is made with resin polymer in addition to the glass filler and acrylic acid. This filling is translucent like a glass ionomer but resembles the natural colour of the tooth.

What does the procedure involve?

The area around the tooth being filled will be numbed with a local anaesthetic. After that, we'll take care of the decayed spot with a drill, air abrasion instrument, or laser. Dr Patel will test the area with a probe to see if all the decay has been cleaned up. After the decay has been taken out, he will clean the cavity to fill it. When the decay is near the nerve, Dr Patel may first insert a liner made of glass ionomer, composite resin, or another material to shield the nerve. Dr Patel will usually complete and polish the filling after it has been placed.

What are other types of restorations?

• Bridges - When one or more teeth are missing, a bridge can be used to fill the gap left behind. Crowns on either side of a bridge allow for a secure and permanent fit. 
• Crowns - Crowns are caps made to look like natural teeth cemented over a tooth to improve its size, shape, strength, and appearance and support a bridge or cover a dental implant. 
• Dentures - Dentures are removable prosthetics used to replace teeth and the gum tissue around them. They are usually constructed from acrylic resin with metal fittings. Dentures are either full (replacing all teeth) or partial (leaving some teeth intact and held in place by metal clasps). 
• Dental Implants - Teeth implants are artificial tooth roots. Tiny metal posts called dental implants are surgically implanted inside the jawbone to replace missing teeth. A crown, a type of artificial tooth, is used to cap the dental implant. 

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