Restorative Teeth

A dental restoration is also called a filling. It is the repair of a damaged or decayed tooth, restoring it back to its normal shape, appearance and function.  The name of the material that is used to repair a tooth is often the name given to the repair process. "Amalgam Restoration" is an example of the material giving its name to the process.

Amalgam restoration

• An amalgam is an alloy or combination of two or more metals.
• Amalgam fillings (silver fillings) are made up of mercury, powdered silver and tin. They are mixed and packed into cavities in teeth. It hardens slowly, and replaces the missing tooth substance.
• Amalgam fillings are held in place by the shape of the prepared cavity.
• The cavity has to have an undercut to prevent the filling from falling out. The amalgam is then slotted into the cavity.
• It is still commonly used, despite an ongoing debate about mercury toxicity.

Inlay restoration

• An inlay is a solid filling that is cemented into a tooth that has been specially prepared for it.
• To make this restoration, an impression of the prepared cavity is taken using an elastic material. It is sent to the dental technician who will make the inlay.
• Most inlays are made of gold or tooth-coloured porcelain.

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.
• When all, or a large part of the original crown of a tooth has been destroyed by injury or decay, the lost tooth material needs to be replaced.
• The remaining portion of tooth is trimmed down in preparation for a replacement crown.
• After taking an impression of the prepared tooth, the dentist sends the impression to the dental technician who will make the replacement crown.
• This new crown is then cemented onto the remaining part of the tooth.
• Replacement crowns may be made of porcelain, gold or a combination of the two materials.
• Temporary crowns are made of acrylic.
• A replacement crown is also made for a healthy tooth, when it forms part of a bridge, or when it is used to improve the appearance of a tooth.

Porcelain veneer restoration

• A veneer is a thin facing of porcelain or plastic material which serves to replace only the front visible part of the tooth. It is used for tooth repair and to whiten the teeth permanently and make the mouth more attractive.
• After the dentist has prepared the tooth, an impression is taken and sent to the technician, where the veneer is made.
• The porcelain veneer is cemented into place, using a special cement that bonds it to the tooth.
• This is a conservative and popular method for improving the appearance of teeth.
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