Dental Restoration

A dental restoration is a procedure to restore damaged or missing teeth due to accidents or infections. They can frequently save teeth that would otherwise need to be extracted. Restorations include fillings, inlays and onlays, veneers, crowns, implants, bridges, and dentures. Dental restorations can be made of different materials: metals, dental composites, glass ionomer cements and porcelain.

Dental restorations can be described as direct and indirect restorations. Direct restorations are those made directly on the tooth, while indirect restorations are those made externally and then placed on the tooth, such as crowns, bridges and veneers.

Patients need to see a dentist for a dental examination to determine what type of restoration is right for them. The process for restorations is similar for all types of restorations; the tooth is first prepared for the restoration, any tooth decay is removed and the tooth may be reshaped. If an indirect restoration needs to be used, the dentist will take a dental impression. The restoration is then placed causing little or no discomfort at all. Keep in mind that proper care is required since dental restorations can chip, fracture, break, come loose, fall off or become stained.