Dental Fillings and Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing or replacing damaged or missing teeth. Its primary goal is to improve both oral health and chewing function. General dentists, often referred to as family dentists, perform various restorative dental procedures. Here are some common ones:
Fillings:
- When bacteria erode tooth enamel, creating a hole (known as a cavity), dental fillings come to the rescue.
- For smaller cavities, dentists typically use tooth-colored composite material to repair the affected area.
- The procedure involves removing the decayed portion of the tooth and filling the resulting hole.
- Dental fillings halt the progression of tooth decay and reduce the risk of further damage.
Inlays and Onlays:
- Sometimes a cavity is too large for a simple filling but not extensive enough for a crown.
- In such cases, dentists recommend inlays or onlays.
- These custom restorations fit into the natural tooth structure like puzzle pieces.
- Dentists permanently bond them in place.
- While inlays fill the area between the cusps of your teeth, onlays also cover at least one cusp.
Dental Fillings: Restoring Structural Integrity
Dental fillings play a fundamental role in restorative dentistry. They are crucial for repairing cavities caused by tooth decay and restoring the structural integrity of damaged teeth. Here’s what you need to know:
- Purpose: Dental fillings restore the affected tooth’s integrity, function, and aesthetics.
- Materials: Fillings can be made from various materials, including tooth-colored composite resin, amalgam (silver fillings), and ceramic.
- Procedure: During a filling procedure, the dentist removes the decayed portion of the tooth, cleans the area, and fills it with the chosen material.
- Benefits: Fillings prevent further decay, strengthen the tooth, and allow for normal chewing and speaking.
Remember, whether it’s a small cavity or a broken tooth, restorative dentistry aims to enhance your oral health and overall well-being. If you ever need dental care, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance from our dentist at Academy Dental!