Restorative Dentistry in Orem UT

Dental restorations are used to bring the teeth back to their ideal condition, in terms of color, contour, and structural integrity. Earlier, dental restorations were made from metals such as gold, silver, and amalgam. Though they offer great properties like strength, durability, and longevity, they leave a nasty appearance on the teeth. Hence, in recent times, dental restorations made from tooth-colored materials are preferred over metal restorations.

What are the popularly used dental restorations?

Veneers: Veneers are restorations made from dental-grade ceramic. They are wafer-thin and are used to make cosmetic changes such as restoring chipped, misshapen, cracked, discolored, or excessively spaced teeth.

Lumineers: They are similar to veneers and serve similar purposes. However, they are extremely thin and do not require a lot of time to be done. They are so thin that they mimic the color of the underlying tooth due to their translucent nature.

Composite bonding: Composite resin is used to make subtle changes to the shape and structure of the teeth that are either damaged or misshapen. The resin can be matched with the exact color of the enamel, thereby making them as indistinguishable as possible.

Composite dental fillings: Fillings are widely used to fill cavities caused due to tooth decay. They are made from a composite resin and offer excellent sealing properties, along with good durability and longevity. The material is biocompatible and blends in with the natural tissues of the teeth.

Inlays and onlays: Inlays are an alternative to dental fillings. They are custom-fabricated in a dental laboratory according to the contour of a large cavity. Once done, the inlay will be placed in the cavity and bonded permanently using dental adhesives. Onlays are similar to crowns, but only restore the worn-out biting surface of the tooth. Hence they are known as half-crowns.

Dentures: Patients with multiple missing teeth usually prefer dentures to restore their teeth, as opposed to dental implants and bridges. They can be fabricated to restore all the missing teeth, or just a few missing ones, using partial dentures.

Porcelain crowns: Crowns are perhaps the most versatile dental restorations, as they are used for various purposes. Crowns made from dental-grade porcelain are highly customizable, mimic the exact appearance of the natural enamel, offer excellent strength and durability.

Porcelain bridges: Bridges are the simplest means to restore missing teeth. They are a combination of a prosthetic tooth combined with dental crowns on either side, which help to hold the tooth firmly in place. Bridges have a great lifespan, making them highly preferred to restore teeth.

Dental implants: Implants are widely recommended by dentists as the first choice to restore extracted teeth. They are placed directly in the jawbone with the help of a metal implant stud, and a ceramic crown replaces the visible tooth. Implants have a high rate of success and ensure better jawbone health.

Please do reach out to us on call or by scheduling an online consultation with our dental professionals, and we’ll be glad to assist you further.