Dental Restoration

Dental restoration consists of any replacement for lost tooth structure or teeth. Restorations can save a tooth that would otherwise need to be pulled. Restorations are made from a variety of materials, depending on the type of repair chosen during the consultation the dentist has with the patient.

Restorations include fillings, inlays and onlays, veneers, crowns, implants, bridges and dentures. They can be divided into two major groups: direct restorations and indirect restorations.

Some restorations can last for up to 15 years, but the actual durability depends on several factors, such as the patient’s health, dental hygiene, type of restoration, material and the location in the mouth.

Direct Restorations

Direct restorations are made at the dental office directly in the tooth. Direct restorations include fillings, inlays and onlays. The repair is done using materials such as amalgam, commonly called a silver filling, or dental composite, a tooth-colored filling.

Indirect Restorations

Indirect restorations are usually created in a laboratory and can require completely replacing the natural tooth. Indirect restorations are used when the tooth requires more extensive repair and are usually done over the course of several office visits.

Using impressions of the mouth and precise dental records from an oral examination, the reconstructive piece is formed at a dental lab. The restoration is permanently bonded to the tooth at the dental office after proper fit and bite are established.

Common indirect restorations include crowns, bridges, porcelain veneers and dental implants. The materials used for indirect restorations include acrylic, porcelain and zirconia.