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A dental restoration is a very
common procedure and is used to fill the cavities in the teeth.
There are generally 2 types of material used in a dental
restoration:
- Composite resin, or white
filling material that is the same color as that of
teeth
- Amalgam, or alloy mixed with
mercury
Composite
Resin Restoration
Composite resin restoration,
also known as white filling, is a great product in modern
dentistry. It has been developed for quite some time and reached a
very reliable stage. Nowadays, composite can make the same great
result as amalgam filling material in restoring and is commonly
used in both front and back teeth to help keep the natural
appearance of the teeth and our smiles.
This procedure is also called
"bonding" because the material is actually bonded into
place.
Amalgam
Restoration
Amalgam restoration, also
called a silver filling, is most commonly used in dental clinics to
fix a decayed tooth and to restore its shape and function. This
type of material can last a long time under huge pressure and
acidic environment. It is cost effective and easy to use in a
clinic. It has been the dominant type of filling material for many
decades and is still used today.
Concerns
about amalgam
Some people are concerned
about the toxicity of the amalgam used in the filling. But in fact,
amalgam has been used successively for many many years in dentistry
and has been tested continuously. There is no evidence showing that
it is toxic. The Canadian Dental Association(CDA) states that there
is no proof that dental amalgam poses any threat to the safety of
the dental public. In fact the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of
Ontario discourages the removal of amalgam filling for patient
concerns over its toxicity. However, its replacement for aesthetic
reasons is understandable.
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A crown, commonly referred to as
a "cap", covers on a tooth completely to restore the tooth's normal
shape, size and function. When a tooth has been severely decayed,
cracked or damaged, a crown is definitely needed.
Crowns are made by materials with
strength and long durability, such as alloys of gold, porcelain, or
combinations of both gold and porcelain. These materials can
tolerate wearing and abrasion and keep crown functioning. These
encompass the entire tooth so that no one part of it will chip
off.
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Prefabricated crowns
are often used by Dr. Fremeth when treating severely damaged baby
teeth. This is a very common procedure for dentists who perform a
high quality of care when treating a child's tooth. These should
not be confused with much more costly custom made crowns used on
permanent teeth but provide a similar service in extending the life
of the tooth.
Generally, dentists
use the term 'bridge' when referring to permanent tooth
replacement. A bridge is one way that Dr. Fremeth can fill a gap
created by a missing tooth or teeth. It consists of two dental
crowns, one on either side of the gap, and a false tooth suspended
where the gap is joining the two adjacent crowns
together.
A modification of this procedure,
known as a Maryland Bridge, can be used in cases where the teeth
adjacent to the gap do not need crowns. In this case, after minimal
polishing of these adjacent teeth a custom made bridge is simply
bonded into place without extensively harming healthy tooth
structure.
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Dental implants are used to replace missing roots and support
replacement teeth, which may be fixed to the implant(s). Or you may
be able to take them out yourself.
Implants are not for everyone. You must be in good general
health, have healthy gums and enough bone in your jaw to support
the implant(s). You must be willing to see your dentist or dental
specialist several times until the work is done, and take very good
care of your implant(s). In addition, implants can cost more than
other kinds of replacement teeth.
It's normal for bone to shrink if it no longer has teeth to
support. Because an implant sticks to bone, the bone is less likely
to shrink. But if you have been missing teeth for some time, you
may have lost bone. A bone graft can build up the bone so it can
support an implant. When a bone graft is done, bone is added to the
area where your jawbone has shrunk.
Here's how an implant is done:
Step 1
Your dentist, oral surgeon or periodontist will put a small metal
post into your jawbone.
Step 2
Over time, the post will bond with the bone around it.
Step 3
The post (or implant) will act like an anchor to hold one or more
false teeth in place.
Because implants stick to the bone, false teeth attached to
implants look and act much like natural teeth. But implants are not
as strong as natural teeth. You must brush and floss your
implant(s) very carefully. Be gentle, but make sure you brush all
sides of your implant(s). A toothbrush that has longer bristles at
the tip may help clean behind your implant(s).
Floss very carefully at least once a day. You will need to be
gentle with the floss where the implant meets the gum (called the
gumline). You may find a floss threader useful for cleaning this
area.
Veneers are very thin pieces of
specially-shaped porcelain that are glued over the front of your
teeth. They are the cure for teeth that are severely discolored,
chipped, have small holes or pits, misshapen or crooked, or for the
correction of unwanted or uneven spaces. Unlike crowns, veneers
won't require the dentist to remove much of the tooth. Veneers are
created from an impression taken in Dr. Fremeth's office and sent
off to a laboratory technician. This procedure commonly takes
several days, after which your custom veneer is then glued directly
onto your tooth. Veneers won't stain, making them a very
popular solution for many people seeking that perfect smile.
The colour is selected to brighten dark teeth without the
worry of them changing colour.
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Tooth whitening is a bleaching
process that lightens discoloration and removes stains from the
enamel and dentin of the teeth. Dr. Fremeth uses a mild solution
retained in a custom filled mouth piece that is worn over your
teeth for a short period during the day. Prior to beginning
treatment, Dr. Fremeth will examine your teeth to determine whether
you have any untreated cavities, tooth decay, or unhealthy teeth
and determine if this is procedure is right for you. Then an
initial colour shade is taken and recorded. A custom made tray is
made by taking an impression of your teeth, which gives you a
personalized tray and allows you to achieve optimum results. After
several weeks your teeth are once again examined and a new lighter,
colour shade of your teeth is taken.
Almost anyone can benefit from
this safe procedure. Research and clinical studies indicate that
whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide
under the supervision of a dentist is safe for teeth and gums. In
fact, many dentists consider this whitening process the safest
cosmetic procedure available today. Tooth whitening is ideal for
patients who have healthy, unrestored teeth and would like to have
a whiter, brighter smile.
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