The goal of dental restoration is to bring back the natural appearance and functionality of the teeth, ensuring that a patient's oral health is maintained or improved. There are several types of dental restorations, each suited to different dental issues:
- Fillings: Used to repair cavities caused by tooth decay. The decayed portion of the tooth is removed, and the area is filled with materials such as amalgam, composite resin, gold, or porcelain.
- Crowns: Also known as caps, crowns are used to cover and protect a damaged tooth. They are typically made of porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination of materials, and are designed to look and function like natural teeth.
- Bridges: Used to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge consists of artificial teeth (pontics) held in place by crowns attached to the adjacent natural teeth or implants.
- Implants: A more permanent solution for missing teeth, dental implants involve surgically placing a titanium post into the jawbone, which serves as an anchor for a crown, bridge, or denture.
- Dentures: Removable replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. They can be full (replacing all teeth) or partial (replacing some teeth) and are typically made of acrylic resin combined with metal attachments.
- Inlays and Onlays: Used to restore teeth with moderate decay or damage. Inlays fit within the grooves of the teeth, while onlays cover one or more cusps of the teeth.
- Bonding: A procedure where a tooth-colored resin is applied to a tooth to repair chips, cracks, or gaps. The resin is shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth.
- Veneers: Thin, custom-made shells of porcelain or composite resin that cover the front surface of the teeth to improve their appearance. Veneers are used to correct discoloration, shape, size, or alignment issues.
Dental restorations can improve the aesthetic appearance of teeth, restore chewing function, and prevent further dental issues. The choice of restoration depends on the specific dental problem, the patient's oral health, and their preferences.
