Dental Restorations Los Angeles, CA
If you are struggling with teeth that are missing, cracked, chipped, or in need of replacement, a dentist can help by making repairs via a process known as a dental restoration. There are many different forms of dental restoration, so it is important to be aware of all of the options available to you before deciding how you would like to restore the health of your teeth.
For more information about what restorative dental procedures might be best for your particular situation, our team at Vatan Dental Group in Los Angeles is here to help. Call us at (310) 906-1300 to learn more.
What is Dental Restoration?
A dental restoration is any procedure that can help return a damaged tooth to its most optimal and functional state. Restorative dental treatments can improve the structure and integrity of teeth while preserving their natural state. Dental restorations are often an effective option to repair teeth with compromised structure or function due to decay, trauma, or failed previous restorations. Depending on the type of restoration performed, a previously damaged tooth may be entirely fixed or restored. Although the focus of restorative procedures is not aesthetic, teeth often do appear more aesthetically pleasing following a procedure due to the mere nature of the repair.
Dental restorations come in two varieties: direct and indirect. According to the American Dental Association, it is possible to complete direct restoratives in a single visit. However, indirect restoratives require multiple visits since professionals generally create them in an outside lab.
“Depending on the type of restoration performed, a previously damaged tooth may be able to be entirely fixed or restored.”
Understanding Direct Dental Restoration
A direct dental restoration is a dental repair completed within the confines of the mouth at the point of care. This means no assembly or manufacturing outside of the mouth is necessary. The restorative work is performed by Vatan Dental Group directly onto the tooth or teeth in question.
A more familiar name for direct dental restoration is a "filling." During the filling procedure, the dentist uses dental material to repair a damaged tooth and then hardens the material with a special type of light to completely seal the area off and prevent further damage or decay. This restores the tooth to its full function, and a filling can often closely mimic the appearance of the original tooth.
Types of dental filling materials include:
- Amalgam: This filling material is a metal alloy, and it is considered to be the “gold standard.” Amalgams are well-suited for teeth that bear a heavy load.
- Resin Composite: This is a filling made of a combination of organic and inorganic substances that provide a tooth-colored alternative to amalgams.
- Glass Ionomer: This is a filling that can be applied quickly and is less susceptible to moisture, making it ideal for pediatric patients.
“A more familiar name for a direct dental restoration is a ‘filling.'”
Indirect Dental Restoration
Indirect dental restorations are fabricated outside of the mouth before being placed inside the mouth at the treatment site. These customized tooth replacements include:
- Bridges: Bridges restore gaps from one or more missing teeth to mimic the look, shape, and function of natural teeth.
- Crowns: A dental crown is a tooth-shaped cap that restores a tooth’s shape, size, strength, and appearance.
- Implants: Dental implants are artificial tooth roots placed to support replacement teeth so they can feel, look, and function naturally.
- Inlays: Inlays mold to the cusps areas and replace minor tooth structure loss due to decay.
- Onlays: Onlays, also called partial crowns, are more extensive than inlays and can cover one or more cusps to repair more extensive tooth decay.
- Veneers: Veneers are thin coverings applied to the front, visible part of the tooth to restore stained, chipped, or worn-down teeth.
“Indirect dental restorations are fabricated outside of the mouth before being placed inside the mouth at the treatment site.”
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When a Dental Restoration Is Necessary
Dental restoration can help weakened teeth due to severe decay or damage and help prevent further complications. Direct dental restorations or fillings are necessary to stop the decay process while leaving the teeth intact. Fillings can also restore fractured, broken teeth, or worn down teeth resulting from misuse such as nail-biting or tooth grinding.
Indirect dental restorations are necessary when a filling is not enough to restore teeth functionality. Crowns are good restorative options for unstable teeth, while a bridge can replace multiple damaged teeth to restore proper chewing function. Additionally, a dental implant can replace a missing tooth and prevent problems like jawbone erosion and impaired chewing.
“Dental restoration can help weakened teeth due to severe decay or damage and help prevent further complications.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is an indirect dental restoration?
Q. When is a dental restoration necessary?
Q. What is dental restoration?
Q. What happens during a direct dental restoration?
Q. Who can receive a dental restoration?
People Also Ask
Q. How can a root canal help save my cracked tooth?
Q. What steps should happen after chipping a tooth?
Eligibility for Dental Restoration
Patients experiencing damage to one or more teeth due to decay, chipping, or trauma are likely eligible for a dental restoration. Depending on their specific situation, Vatan Dental Group will work with each patient to determine which restorative option is right for them. Having a conversation about personal preferences is particularly important if the restoration occurs in the front of the mouth, where a tooth is more visible.
Children and adults are both candidates for dental restorations. A child may benefit more from a direct dental restoration, if possible, as it involves fewer steps. Patients that are pregnant should talk to their dentist about alternative options, but the American Dental Association reports that dental procedures involving anesthetics are safe during pregnancy.
“Children and adults are both candidates for dental restorations.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is a dental amalgam safe?
A. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), dental organizations worldwide agree that amalgams are safe restorative dental materials. Over the years, there have been reports of various negative health effects associated with amalgam, but many scientific reviews have reaffirmed their safety.
Q. What are all the types of dental restorations?
A. Dental restorations are any treatments done to restore the function and/or appearance of the teeth. Restorations can include fillings, crowns, bridges, dental implants, inlays and onlays, and composite or dental bonding.
Q. How common are crowns?
A. If you are considering getting a crown placed, or your dentist has recommended one, you are not alone. According to the American Academy of Dentistry Journal, about 40 million crowns are placed each year. Dentists of all types are generally familiar with the procedure.
Q. What is the difference between an inlay and onlay?
A. While inlays and onlays are both types of indirect dental restorations, they differ in size. An inlay is created to fill in a tooth cavity that occurs between tooth cusps. An onlay is created to fill in a tooth cavity that includes one or more tooth cusps, so by definition, it is more expansive than an inlay.
Q. What are the steps involved in amalgam dental filling?
A. During an amalgam dental filling, your dentist will numb you first to make sure that you do not feel discomfort during the procedure. Then, your dentist will use an instrument such as a drill or laser to remove any decayed area. Your dentist will test to ensure that all of the decay has been removed and clean out the debris. Lastly, your dentist will apply the filling material and polish the tooth.
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Dental Terminology
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
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