5 Dental Restoration Options Other Than a Filling

There are currently many dental restoration options for individuals with dental issues. Read on to learn about available dental restoration choices. Gone are the days when individuals had to feel self-conscious about their teeth for the rest of their life. Due to the prevalence of tooth decay, most people are familiar with dental fillings, but these are not the only treatment available.

5 Dental restoration alternatives to fillings

Most problems, from damaged teeth to a misaligned bite, can be resolved with dental restoration treatment. When it comes to dental decay, fillings are usually the treatment of choice. Tooth decay may reach the pulp chamber if left untreated, leaving the nerve and pulp vulnerable to bacteria and other debris. This usually results in tooth infection, which may need a root canal or extraction. It is essential to stop cavities caused by tooth decay. Fillings are an inexpensive dental restoration treatment for this. Silver amalgam and composite resins are common materials used to make fillings.

However, there are other options for repairing a tooth, including:

1. Dental crowns

A crown, often known as a cap, is a dental prosthesis that protects a tooth that has been severely damaged. A crown improves the look and functionality of the tooth it covers. Crowns are often used on a tooth after root canal treatment. Ceramics and porcelain are popular materials for caps, although patients can also get crowns made from metals such as gold and silver.

2. Inlays and onlays

These alternatives are more visible than dental fillings and are less expensive than dental crowns. Inlays and onlays are dental restorations made in a dental lab for damage that is too severe for fillings but not severe enough for a crown. Inlays are utilized when the tooth cusp is intact, while onlays are used to repair a tooth with a broken cusp.

3. Composite bonding

Filling a chipped front tooth may be difficult. Composite resin dental bonding is used to repair damaged teeth and restore their cosmetic attractiveness. The dentist will apply the composite in multiple layers, cure them, and polish to the preferred shape and size of the tooth.

4. Dental bridge

A dental bridge is a prosthetic device used to replace one or more lost teeth. Crowns are put on the two natural teeth closest to the gap, and prosthetic teeth are kept in place by the crowns. Abutments refer to the anchor teeth, whereas pontics refer to the prosthetic teeth. The bridge becomes an option when the tooth is severely damaged, and it is no longer possible to save it with fillings or a dental crown.

5. Dental implants

Implants are the most effective method of replacing lost teeth. These devices mimic the structure and function of natural teeth and their roots. This is necessary since losing a tooth and its root may cause jawbone tissue degeneration because the jaw is no longer getting proper stimulation.

The bottom line

If you are looking to improve the appearance and function of your teeth, you should talk to a dentist about dental restoration options. Book an appointment today with our dental office to get started.

Request an appointment here: https://www.northcoastfamilydental.com or call North Coast Dental Implants & Cosmetics at (760) 705-3407 for an appointment in our San Marcos office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Restorations in San Marcos, CA.