Restorative dentistry
Tooth Colored Fillings
Fillings are a hard material used to replace natural tooth lost due to decay. A dentist will removed the decay (tooth that has become soft due to bacteria) and replace it with a composite material that will harden and fill in the missing tooth structure. It will then be shaped to fit your natural tooth and bite pattern
Crowns
A dental crown, sometimes referred to as a cap, is used when a tooth has large amount of decay and is at risk of breaking. Once the dentist removes the decay from the tooth, there may not be enough good bone left to support the daily stresses of chewing, clenching or grinding. In order to prevent the tooth from breaking, and requiring removal, a crown is placed on top of the remainder of the natural tooth. Crowns are typically made of metal or porcelain. A crown will fill in the missing tooth structure so that remaining natural tooth is protected from the stresses of eating, clenching or grinding.
Bridges
A bridge is a dental device that is used to replace a missing tooth. A bridge is inclusive of at least three teeth (one on either side of the missing tooth). In order to place a bridge, the tooth on either side of the missing tooth must be covered with a crown. Then cemented between the two crowns is a false tooth to replace the missing tooth. If the two teeth on either side of the missing tooth are healthy, a dental implant may be a better option.