Dental Restoration

Dental restorations are procedures performed to repair a damaged or decayed tooth. Restorations can be made from a number of different materials, including composite resin, metal, porcelain, ceramic, and porcelain-fused-to-metal. There are various types of dental restorations available depending on the specific need and desire of each patient.

Dental Restorations currently available are:

Veneers

Veneers are very thin, tooth-colored shells that are custom-fit and bonded to the front of the teeth to aesthetically improve the smile. Veneers make it possible to correct a variety of color and shape related teeth problems. There are two kinds of veneers:

Composite or Direct Veneers - A special plastic is molded and bonded directly to the tooth in one appointment.

Porcelain or Indirect Veneers - Thin shells are custom-made in a lab and applied to the teeth. Two appointments are required for this process: one for taking an impression, and a second for preparing the natural teeth and placing the veneers once they have been created.

Lumineers and Vivaneers are new kinds of porcelain veneers that are so thin they don't require any tooth-buffing before placement.

Cosmetic Crowns

A crown is a dental restoration that can restore a weakened or broken tooth to its original shape, size and function. Crowns are can be made of different materials which may include:

Lava Crowns - These all ceramic crowns use translucent zirconia that can be custom colored. Strong enough for long-span bridges, they offer an aesthetically pleasing look and perfect fit.

Emax Crowns - A relatively new form of ceramic crown, Emax Crowns are not only particularly strong, but can be thinned enough to use with veneers.

Procera Crowns - An all porcelain crown, Procera is very attractive aesthetically, but not the strongest material available, making it susceptible to breakage over time.

Bruxzir Crowns - These crowns are make of solid zirconia without a porcelain overlay, making them resistant to chipping. They also feature a smooth surface, which offers protection from plaque.

Dental Bridges

Dental bridges are natural-looking tooth replacements that help maintain facial structure, reduce stress on the jaw and fill in the gaps caused by missing teeth. Bridges are either fixed or removable. Fixed bridges are cemented to the existing teeth and do not come out. Removable bridges can be taken out.

A dental bridge can be used to:

Restore smile and improve speech
Reduce the risk of gum disease
Restore the ability to bite and chew
Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position

There are three main types of bridges:

Traditional bridges - Also known as fixed bridges, traditional bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth.

Resin bonded bridges - Also known as Maryland bonded bridges, resin bonded bridges are primarily used for the front teeth.

Cantilever bridges - These bridges are used in areas of the mouth that are under low amounts of stress, such as the back teeth.

There are numerous options available to improve the overall health, and appearance of patients' teeth and smile. Patients should consult with their dentists to see which option will suit their specific condition and will meet their expectations.

Dentures

Dentures are prosthetic devices designed to help patients with missing teeth, chew food and improve speaking habits. Additionally, dentures improve the patient's facial aesthetics and self-esteem. The absence of teeth can lead to a sunken, collapsed appearance to the mouth-area. By restoring the physical presence of teeth, this malformation is corrected, the patient's mouth is supported and the appearance is improved by aesthetic standards.

Aesthetic dentures are custom crafted to provide a precise comfortable fit, and to enhance overall facial features. The color of the teeth is carefully selected and the natural differences in tooth shape and size are carefully chosen based on each individual's age, gender and unique facial qualities. In addition, dentures are made to replicate the gum tissue naturally while providing the proper structure and support for lips, cheeks and face.

There are three types of dentures:

Complete Dentures - Complete or full dentures are only required for people who have lost all or most of the teeth on either of the two arches of the mouth.

Fixed Partial Dentures - Most patients missing only a few teeth opt for fixed partial dentures, also known as "crown and bridge." These must be precisely installed, especially when in between healthy teeth.

Removable Partial Dentures - Removable partial dentures are different from fixed partial dentures in that they are normally only used by people who have lost too many teeth for fixed dentures, but too few for full dentures.

Dental Implants

Dental implants offer many benefits over other tooth replacement methods. Implants provide a natural replacement that looks and feels like your own tooth. Since the implants are drilled directly into the gum and act as a natural tooth root, patients can enjoy the same comfort and confidence they experienced before tooth loss. Implants provide sturdy, long-lasting results by preventing bone loss and gum recession. They do not sacrifice the strength of neighboring teeth like traditional bridges yet they preserve overall tooth health with added strength and reliability.

Dental implants are placed during a series of appointments over several months. During the first procedure, the titanium anchors are placed into the jaw. Over the next three to six months, the anchors will heal and fuse to the bone, a period known as osseointegration. Small posts are attached to the implant to help provide stability for the replacement tooth. After the anchors heal, the patient is fitted for replacements, which can be installed during the next appointment. Implant surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under local or general anesthesia.

Depending on the amount of missing teeth. teeth replacement options are as follows:

Crown can be used to replace one tooth
Partial bridge can replace several teeth
Full bridge or full denture can replace all teeth

Tooth-Colored Fillings

The filling of dental cavities with unsightly metal alloys has been used throughout the history of dentistry. Contemporary fillings, however, are usually tooth colored and practically invisible to the untrained eye. These tooth-colored fillings can be used to replace old and worn silver amalgam, gold or other metal fillings for aesthetic purposes.

These new substances have a white color and can be made from several different substances, including composite resin, glass ionomer cement, or porcelain ceramics. These materials are very resilient and long lasting in addition to their visual advantages, but can become discolored over time. Just like metal fillings, these can be set and cured within one visit to the dentist, although they may take a little bit longer.

The type of dental restoration required is ultimately determined by your dental professional.

The longevity of a dental restoration depends on many factors, including the patient's health, dental hygiene, type of restoration, and its location in the mouth. Dental restorations generally require the same type of care as natural teeth. It is typically recommended that patients avoid placing unnecessary stress on the restoration, as restorations can chip, break, come loose, or become stained.

Nima Raoufinia DDS

Lumen Dental of Tysons Corner

Patient Education

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Dental Restoration