Restorative Dentistry

Dentures are removable appliances that replace missing teeth. Depending on your needs, you can get either complete dentures or partial dentures. Complete dentures are used when all the bottom or top teeth need to be replaced. Dentures that replace just some of the teeth are called partial dentures. Both options allow you to eat food easier, speak clearly if you had problems speaking well because of missing teeth and help support cheeks and lips to prevent sagging in the face.

Facts about Dentures

• Teeth restoration is good for your oral health, not simply your appearance
• Your teeth will look real
• It’s not as painful as you imagine
• Dentures can be comfortable.
• It’s affordable

Inlays and onlays are used to fill in small sections of a tooth that are missing, usually due to tooth decay. Often, they are recommended to repair a cavity, since they are stronger than a traditional filling. Sometimes inlays and onlays are alternatives to crowns. Both are made from porcelain, gold or a composite and can increase the strength of your tooth. Inlays fill the inside of the tooth and the onlay fills the inside, plus it extends to cover the cusp of the tooth.

Crowns and bridges are a fixed solution to missing or damaged teeth. This restorative procedure uses prosthetic devices to return your smile to its natural state. A crown is used when the tooth structure is damaged or fractured. A bridge is used when one or more teeth are missing. Crowns and Bridges are considered the most common and highly effective solutions for improving imperfections such as a damaged or a missing tooth. The results allow you to chew food easier and help balance your bite while reducing the ability of your existing teeth to shift and catch food in between them.

Crowns and bridges are used to repair a number of different dental problems.

A crown can be used when:

• a tooth is fractured or damaged
• too much decay has weakened a tooth
• a tooth is severely discoloured
• a tooth is misshapen
• a dental bridge needs an anchor.

A bridge is used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. It is also a possible solution when dentures are unstable, uncomfortable or aesthetically displeasing.

How long your crown and bridge lasts depends on the effectiveness and regularity of your dental hygiene routine. As a general rule, they last between 7-15 years but longer periods are certainly possible with outstanding oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.