Restorative dentistry is concerned with the care of patients who require restoration of the oral and dental tissues. In the United Kingdom p opulation, remaining dentate into later life, increasingly issues concerning the most appropriate, relevant dental management assume a high priority for the individual. The speciality involves contributing to the care of the elderly and those with special medical needs together with those with learning difficulties for whom appropriate management is important, in addition to providing treatment for those who require complex dental care. The disciplines of operative dentistry, periodontology, fixed and removable prosthodontics and endodontics are involved.
What are amalgam fillings?
Amalgam or silver fillings are the metal coloured fillings that many people have. Amalgam was the traditional material used for fillings for many years.
Why should I consider white fillings?
Most people have fillings of one sort or another in their mouths. Nowadays fillings are not only functional, but can be natural looking as well. Many people don’t want silver fillings that show when they laugh or smile because they are more conscious about the way they look.
Bonding
Bonding is an easy and cheaper cosmetic dental procedure. Mostly it is used for cosmetic purposes. It is used to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth. It is possible to close the spaces between teeth. Also it can be used to make teeth look longer and to change the shape or the color of the teeth.
 Recontouring
Dental recontouring, which is also called tooth reshaping and odontoplasty, is a relatively quick and painless procedure in which small amounts of tooth enamel are removed in order to change the length, shape or surface contours of the tooth.
Inlays and Onlays
Inlay and onlay can be considered as a midway between a filling and a crown. When there isn’t enough tooth structure to support a filling and if the tooth does not need a crown because it is not damaged so much, the inlays and onlays are used.
Onlay is more extensive when it is compared with the inlay. Inlay is similar to a filling but it lies within the cusps on the chewing surface of the tooth. Onlay covers one or more cusps.
Inlays and onlays are made of ceramics. The material used, the teeth involved, the forces of chewing and how the patients apply good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist determines the life time of them. Usually they last for decades. |
