Restorative Care
Metal-Free (Tooth-Coloured) Fillings
The standard in many dental practices today is to use completely metal-free fillings to treat cavities. These “tooth-coloured” fillings have supplanted the amalgam, metallic-looking fillings of the past, many of which contained small levels of mercury. Tooth-coloured fillings are composed of a durable composite resin material that can more easily blend in with the affected tooth’s natural colour, making it virtually unnoticeable. It can be used to repair broken tooth cusps, replace worn enamel, fill cavities, and replace outdated fillings.
Crowns and Bridges
Teeth that are in danger of breaking can be repaired with dental crowns. Crowns can enhance the look of your smile while strengthening and shielding the remaining tooth structure. Usually made of sturdy porcelain, a crown is cemented to the damaged tooth using a long-lasting dental resin. With porcelain crowns, your smile will appear natural and beautiful for a long time because they are made to match the tooth’s size, shape, and color.
One or more missing teeth can be replaced with a bridge, a fixed dental appliance. Using the surrounding teeth as support, they are cemented firmly into place. Bridges are typically made up of two crowns that cover the two abutment teeth, or anchoring teeth, and are affixed to pontics, or artificial teeth, to fill in the space left by one or more missing teeth. It might be advised to get a dental crown or bridge for:
- Replace a large filling when there isn’t enough tooth remaining
- Cover a discoloured or poorly shaped tooth
- Protect a weak tooth from fracturing
- Cover a tooth that has had root canal treatment
- Restore a fractured tooth
- Attach a bridge
- Cover a dental implant
Dentures (Complete and Partial)
Dentures, whether full or partial, may be the best choice for patients who are not candidates for dental implants or who would prefer alternative methods of replacing missing teeth. Patients who are missing every tooth can have a full set of dentures made. This option makes use of an oral appliance that has artificial teeth attached to it that look natural. For the best fit and appearance, it is specially designed. Apart from facilitating speech and chewing, a full set of dentures can make the face appear fuller, which can improve one’s appearance overall.
For patients who are missing several teeth in specific parts of their mouth, partial dentures may be an option. They are typically made to close up the big gaps between teeth that already exist. They can also be designed to completely enclose a portion of the mouth. Removable partial dentures made to order can have a very natural appearance and feel.
