Restorative Dentistry

Restoration Treatment

Restoration treatment is usually recommended by your dentist if you have missing teeth, or if specific parts of your natural teeth are missing and require repair. Examples of this include tooth structure that is missing due to:

• fracture or damage

• the deterioration of an existing repair

• decay

Types of Restoration Treatment

Restorations can take a variety of different forms, and the type that your dentist will suggest will vary depending on the extend of the restoration required. However, they can include the following:

Fillings

Fillings are the most commonly used variety of dental restoration and are also the simplest. Created from gold, silver amalgam or tooth-colored composite resin, fillings can be put into your tooth in just one visit to your dentist’s office.

Crowns

Crowns are also a very popular variety of restoration. They take the form of a tooth-shaped cap, that are designed and colored to match as closely as possible to your existing teeth. Crowns can sit over an implant to take the place of a missing tooth, or to hold a bridge in place, and they restore the strength, appearance, shape and size of your teeth so well that they are virtually imperceptible once in place.

Implants

Dental implants are becoming increasingly popular as they are an extremely robust solution to missing, damaged or unsightly teeth. They are made up of three parts – a titanium screw or post that is inserted into your jaw bone, a crown that acts as a replacement tooth, and an abutment that holds them both together. Implants are permanent, and once they are in place, you will be able to eat, drink and talk without any impact on your day to day life.

Bridges

If you have two or more missing teeth, then your dentist may recommend a bridge as the best course of action. Dental bridges are comprised of false teeth that are designed to bridge any gaps left by missing teeth. They are anchored to natural teeth using crowns, and then cemented firmly into place.

Dentures

Dentures are essentially the predecessor to dental implants. They are available as a complete set, which replaces all of your teeth either on the top or the bottom of your jaw, or a partial set which is usually recommended when you have some healthy natural teeth. Dentures are removable, which makes them less popular than implants as you have to take them out to eat certain foods.

Root Canal

Root canal treatment is needed when the tooth has a cavity that has reached the nerve chamber, or when the nerve of a tooth has become infected. If there is an infection it can spread very quickly, so prompt treatment is vital. In root canal treatment, your dentist will access the nerve chamber, clean it of any bacteria and/or dying tissue, and then fill it to protect it against any further infections.
​​​​​​​

Veneers

A veneer is an ultra-thin moulding of porcelain that is custom-created for your tooth and bonded to the surface of an affected tooth in order to restore it. They are most commonly used to restore teeth that are chipped or misshapen, although some people do like to get them for their cosmetic value.

If you think you need dental restoration treatment, we recommend that you speak to your dentist who will be happy to advise you which is right for your dental requirements.