Only a tiny minority of people get through their lives without needing some form of restorative dentistry. You may already have had one. This kind of dentistry restores teeth so that we can continue to use them to eat, talk and smile.
Restorative dentistry is an umbrella term for all treatments from the tiniest filling to replacing an entire mouth of teeth. This term even includes treatments for problems such as a cleft palate. Let’s take a look at what kind of restorative dentistry is on offer at Harley Street Dental Clinic in Harley Street.
Fillings
When it comes to filling materials, people choose between amalgam or white composite fillings.
As well as being more attractive, white fillings have several advantages over amalgam. The materials used are now much stronger so white fillings last longer than when they first became available. They are also better at keeping out decay because the composite bonds with the tooth material, and does not just sit in the cavity as amalgam does. This means that decay bacteria cannot get in and around the edges of the filing and cause decay under it. Also, the dentist can rebuild the chewing surfaces of the tooth, making it more able to do its job properly.
Inlays and onlays
Sometimes the cavity in a tooth is too big for just a filling. We then use pieces of porcelain called inlays and onlays to cover the area.
Crowns
Crowns are placed over the entire tooth when it is crumbling or has a lot of decay, but is still worth hanging onto because it has a healthy root.
Bridges
Bridges replace single or neighbouring teeth. It has teeth suspended off it and is attached to adjacent healthy teeth, which are ground down and covered with crowns to act as buttresses.
Dentures
Dentures are removable crowns on a plate. Full dentures replace all the teeth and fit over the gums. Partial dentures clip onto neighbouring teeth.
Dental implants
The latest generation of replacement teeth, dental implants are anchored into the jawbone on titanium posts that fuse with the bone. One implant can hold up to 3 crowns on a bridge.