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Dental Restorations
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Inlays and onlays are a natural looking alternative to silver fillings. Usually made from porcelain, they
are formed to fit and fill most types of cavities and are almost impossible to distinguish from the
natural tooth. They are custom designed, using a precise replica of your tooth. So only the damaged
portion of your tooth needs to be removed unlike silver fillings, which require the removal of large
amounts of healthy tooth. Inlay and onlay treatment will take a few appointments to complete. With
regular brushing and flossing, they will last up to fifteen years.
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Amalgams are commonly known as silver fillings. They do contain some silver; however, they are a
mixture (or alloy) of metals that are bound together, or in other words, amalgamated. Traditional
amalgam fillings were bound together by using mercury; however, many of the newer amalgam
materials do not use mercury. Amalgam fillings have been used for many years and are often the
preferred treatment for posterior fillings.
The average biting force in the posterior jaw is approximately 170 lb. of pressure. A dental restoration
must be able to withstand such forces. Amalgam fillings do not change easily under stress and are
soft, pliable and easily shaped into the prepared cavity. The amalgam then hardens quickly to form a
very strong dental restoration able to endure the stress associated with chewing and biting. With
specialised dental bonding systems, it is possible to create a bond between the amalgam and the
tooth structure. This reduces the possibility of leakage or recurrent decay forming beneath the
restoration.
Metals, as those used in amalgam restorations, are excellent thermal conductors. They rapidly
transmit heat and cold through the tooth. Amalgam fillings help to protect the pulp against sudden
temperature changes. The retention of this type of dental restoration is excellent and can last many
years within the mouth.
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Composite restorations have a natural, tooth-like appearance and are used primarily on anterior teeth,
although many patients now prefer to have composite fillings placed on posterior teeth. A major
advantage of this type of restoration is that they match the tooth colour and are aesthetically pleasing.
Composites are made of a mixture of plastic and acrylic materials such as polymer matrix, quartz and
lithium aluminium silicate. Polymerisation is a process in which a resin material changes from a
plastic state into a hardened restoration. They are also capable of bonding directly to the tooth
structure reducing the possibility of leakage.
The length of time that it takes to perform a composite resin restoration depends on the size of the
restoration. Some restorations will only involve one surface and may not require anaesthetic, so the
appointment may only take 10 to 15 minutes. When the procedure involves more surfaces of the
tooth, the procedure may take longer. A composite resin restoration will restore the tooth to its original
function with an aesthetically pleasing result.
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A crown (sometimes referred to as a cap) is a full coverage restoration that restores the anatomical
surfaces of a damaged or fractured tooth to their original contour and function. The anatomical
surfaces are the parts of the tooth that you can see above the gum line. Typically, this type of
restoration is recommended when there is very little tooth structure left to restore. The retention of
filling material is poor without adequate surface to which the material will adhere. This results in the
tooth requiring both constant and frequent repair.
A crown is permanently cemented onto the prepared tooth structure. This type of restorative procedure
is often a dentist’s treatment of choice because of the excellent clinical results achieved in creating a
strong, permanent restoration. The aesthetic quality of these restorations enhances the overall
appearance of the smile, one of our most important communicative features.
The two types of crowns that are commonly used are:
- Porcelain fused to metal - This type of crown is often used on posterior teeth due to the
strength that the semi-precious metal can provide during chewing. The veneer or facing of the
tooth consists of porcelain that gives the restoration a natural looking quality.
- Porcelain jacket crown - This is composed of layers of porcelain to resemble the shading and
translucency of a natural tooth. This restoration is often recommended for anterior teeth.
A patient will benefit from this procedure by having a permanently restored, functional and aesthetically
pleasing tooth that blends in with the remainder of your natural teeth.
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Dr. Marian Rizk Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, 30 Martha st. Suite # 308,
Bolton ,Ontario, L7E 5V1, Canada
Telephone: (905) 857-1430 Fax: (905) 857-5451
inquiries@drrizkdental.com
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