Ideally, your natural teeth will last for life, but they can only do so with the proper care and maintenance. Often teeth will become damaged or will lose some of their original structure and this is when restorative dentistry can be useful.
When Would I Need Restorative Dentistry?
Here at Vancity Dental, we can use the latest restorative dental techniques to rebuild or to protect teeth that have been damaged. Healthy teeth are protected with tooth enamel, but any sort of damage to your enamel will let in bacteria that can cause infection and decay. This may happen if a tooth becomes decayed, or if it is exposed to trauma, such as a blow to the mouth that results in it becoming chipped. Any damage to your tooth should always be repaired as soon as possible to prevent infection.
What is Restorative Dentistry?
Restorative dentistry uses various techniques and materials to restore a tooth, replacing lost structure and strength while protecting the tooth. Once your tooth has been restored, it should look and feel natural and will be strong enough to allow you to eat and chew comfortably. Your Vancouver dentist will suggest the most suitable restorative technique depending on the damage to your tooth.
Restorative dentistry uses various techniques and materials to restore a tooth, replacing lost structure and strength while protecting the tooth
Which Treatments Can Be Used to Restore Teeth?
Small to medium sized cavities and chips in teeth can often be mended with tooth coloured composite fillings.
Larger cavities in back teeth may need a stronger and more durable solution, which is when we may suggest an inlay or onlay that may be made from porcelain or from gold alloy.
A tooth that is very badly damage might need to be covered up completely with a dental crown (sometimes called a cap). Dental crowns can be made from metal alloys that are highly polished, or they can have a metal substructure that is covered up with tooth colored porcelain. Nowadays, we will often suggest all-ceramic crowns as these are extremely strong and offer excellent aesthetics.
If you have a tooth that is chipped or damaged, please contact Vancity Dental today to discover how we can help restore your dental health.