Preserving a tooth always takes higher priority than extracting it. Dental restoration is one of the methods for maintaining teeth.
But what exactly is dental restoration? What stages does it involve? What are the advantages and disadvantages of dental restoration?
Join us to find the answers to all these questions.
What is Dental Restoration?
Dental Restoration refers to a set of dental treatments aimed at rebuilding damaged or lost parts of a tooth. These methods are commonly used to address issues like decay, fractures, or cracks and include procedures such as filling, crowning, or bonding. The goal of dental restoration is to maintain the health, beauty, and natural function of the teeth.
When is Dental Restoration Needed?
The need for dental restoration arises when a tooth is damaged, decayed, fractured, cracked, or worn down.
If a tooth is damaged due to trauma or infection, or if parts of its structure are lost, restoration is essential. Ultimately, in cases where discoloration or malformation of a tooth affects the appearance of the smile, the dentist may recommend dental restoration to preserve both beauty and tooth function.
Restoration of Baby (Milk) Teeth in Children
Interestingly, contrary to the common belief that baby teeth do not require care or restoration, sometimes it is necessary to restore children’s baby teeth.
If a child’s baby tooth falls out prematurely or has severe decay, it can lead to problems in their mouth and teeth. Therefore, it is best to use pediatric dental services to assess the condition of your child’s teeth.
Since baby teeth can hold the necessary space for the growth of permanent teeth, it is important to use methods like dental filling (filling the tooth) with low-risk materials such as composite to prevent the need for orthodontics in the future.
Types of Dental Restorative Materials
Dental restorative materials come in various types. We will introduce these restorative materials below.
- Metallic Materials: Amalgam, Gold, etc.
- Tooth-Colored Materials: Composite, Glass Ionomer, Ceramic, etc.
Inlays and Onlays
Temporary Filling Materials: Dressing (Calcium hydroxide in combination with other materials for temporary tooth dressing), Zonalin, etc.
Tooth-Colored Dental Restoration – Composite
Dental restoration with tooth-colored materials, or composite, is a relatively common method in cosmetic dentistry used to rebuild damaged or decayed parts of a tooth.
In composite dental restoration, a tooth-colored material is placed on the damaged area and, after shaping, is hardened with a special light. This type of restoration, in addition to preserving the natural appearance of the tooth, also conserves healthy tooth structure as much as possible due to the minimal need for drilling.
Advantages of Composite Dental Restoration
- Matches adjacent teeth.
- Aesthetic whiteness and beauty.
- Minimal tooth surface preparation required for composite use.
- High resistance to impact.
- Non-allergenic and non-sensitizing.
- قابلیت ترمیم مجدد دندان. (Capability of re-restoring the tooth.)
Disadvantages of Composite Tooth Filling
- Relatively short lifespan (5 to 10 years).
- Higher cost compared to dark-colored fillers like amalgam.
- Sensation of tooth thickening.
Non-Tooth-Colored Dental Restoration – Gold and Amalgam
Dental restoration with non-tooth-colored materials like gold and amalgam is one of the strong and durable methods in dentistry. In this method, materials whose color differs from natural teeth are used to fill damaged parts of the tooth.
Amalgam, a combination of different metals, is widely used, especially for posterior teeth, due to its high strength and reasonable cost. Gold is also known as a very strong material compatible with tooth tissue, but it is less used due to its higher cost.
Advantages of Gold Tooth Filling
- High durability (between 15 to 20 years).
- High resistance to pressure.
- Aesthetic and luxurious appearance for the tooth.
Disadvantages of Gold Dental Restoration
- Higher cost compared to other tooth filling methods.
- More frequent visits to the clinic.
- Galvanic shock after filling a tooth with amalgam and then gold, which can cause severe pain. The cause of this pain is the interaction between the metal and saliva, which creates an electric current. However, this occurrence is very rare.
Advantages of Amalgam Dental Restoration
- Good and relatively long lifespan (10 to 15 years).
- High resistance to pressure.
- Inexpensive and cost-effective.
- Relatively safe.
- Quick and immediate.
Disadvantages of Amalgam Tooth Filling
- Non-matching color with teeth (silver and gray).
- Need for tooth preparation (drilling).
- Discoloration of the internal tooth structure.
- Wide range of expansion and contraction of the tooth against temperature, which ultimately leads to tooth fracture and cracking.
Dental Restoration with Inlays and Onlays
The most suitable candidates for inlay and onlay dental restoration are those whose teeth have so much decay and damage that they cannot be treated with a simple filling, and on the other hand, a significant part of the tooth structure remains healthy, making a crown unnecessary. With this method, the dentist can help preserve the patient’s original tooth structure.
When there is a large surface area for filling a decayed tooth, and a dental crown is not feasible due to oral problems, the inlay and onlay method is used. These methods are something between a restoration and a dental crown and are usually made of ceramic or gold materials.
Advantages of Inlay and Onlay Dental Restoration
- Beautiful and completely natural appearance.
- Tooth protection.
- High strength and longevity.
- Resistance to wear.
- Prevention of plaque buildup on the tooth.
Disadvantages of Inlay and Onlay Dental Restoration
- Installation in two stages (unlike other types of fillings which are single-stage).
- Higher price compared to other tooth filling methods.
- Some hard ceramics (like zirconia) have the potential to wear down the natural tooth they occlude against.
- Problems with bonding can lead to the inlay or onlay falling out.
Restoration of a Fractured Tooth
Restoration of a fractured tooth refers to a set of procedures performed to rebuild the damaged part of the tooth and restore its natural appearance and function.
Depending on the severity of the fracture, various methods such as composite bonding, crowning, or, in more severe cases, root canal treatment followed by complete restoration are used. The goal of this treatment is to prevent further damage, maintain dental health, and improve the smile’s aesthetics.
The presence of fractures and chips in teeth, especially if they occur in the front teeth, significantly impacts one’s facial appearance and reduces self-confidence.
Various solutions exist for restoring a fractured tooth. However, choosing the most suitable solution is highly dependent on the cause of the tooth fracture. For example, if the tooth has fractured due to external pressure and eating hard foods, only a filling will be needed.
However, if the tooth fracture is a sign of tooth decay (which is diagnosed by the dentist after an examination), root canal treatment and nerve treatment may also be necessary before filling the tooth.
Restoration of Decayed Front Teeth
Tooth decay is the most common challenge related to teeth that many people around the world struggle with. Now, imagine this decay is on the front teeth! Teeth that are clearly visible when smiling and speaking!
If the decay in the front tooth is severe and has reached the tooth’s nerve, filling the tooth alone will not be effective. Instead, the dentist must treat the tooth root and then proceed to fill the tooth.
However, if the decay is superficial and external, the dentist can, after removing the decay and lightly preparing the outer layers of the tooth, proceed to fill it with composite materials.
Temporary Filling (Temporary Dental Restoration)
After the first stage of root canal treatment (endodontic treatment), the dentist temporarily fills the tooth to protect it. This procedure is commonly referred to as tooth dressing or temporary dental restoration.
Temporary tooth filling is also used in emergency situations to treat more serious damage first, and then the tooth is permanently filled. Additionally, patients who have been under treatment for various diseases for a long time and are weakened may not be able to tolerate permanent filling.
What is the Best Material for Filling a Tooth?
The most suitable person to diagnose the appropriate material for filling your tooth is your dentist. They can choose the best material for restoration based on your conditions and tooth status.
However, if you wish to know more about the best material for filling a tooth, it’s best to consider these points:
- Size of the cavity to be filled.
- Large cavities: Amalgam with a crown, or composite.
- Small cavities: Composite.
- Whether the tooth is subjected to high pressure.
- Molar teeth: Amalgam or Gold.
- Front teeth: Composite or Gold.
- Likelihood of recurrent decay.
- If the likelihood of tooth decay is high: Inlay and Onlay or Amalgam.
- If the likelihood of tooth decay is low: Composite.
- Visibility of the dental restoration.
- Posterior teeth not in view: Amalgam.
- Teeth in view: Composite.
- Allergy to metal.
- Sensitivity to metals (especially mercury): Composite or Gold.
- No sensitivity to metals: Amalgam.
We have discussed in detail all the factors affecting the price of dental restoration and the tariffs of this dental treatment process in another article.
Difference Between Composite and Amalgam
| Feature / Criterion | Composite (Composite Resin) | Amalgam |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Very natural, tooth-colored | Not tooth-colored (silver/gray) |
| Resistance to Pressure | Good, but less than amalgam in posterior teeth | Very high, especially in posterior teeth |
| Lifespan | 5 to 10 years (with good care) | 10 to 15 years |
| Placement Time | Longer (layer by layer and with precision) | Shorter |
| Need for Tooth Preparation | Less (minimal drilling) | More (requires more drilling) |
| Adhesion to Tooth | Yes, with bonding | Mechanical retention (not adhesive) |
| Reaction to Heat and Cold | Less sensitivity | Can cause sensitivity, expansion/contraction |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Resistance to Moisture During Treatment | Sensitive to moisture | Less sensitive to moisture |
| Suggested Application | Anterior restorations, aesthetic restorations | Posterior restorations, large fillings |
| Compatibility with Oral Tissue | Very good | Good, but concerns about mercury (though widely considered safe) |
Post-Restoration Care
Dental restoration does not mean your tooth no longer needs care and oral hygiene. On the contrary! When you restore a tooth, your tooth is no longer in its natural state and requires more care. Some of the care measures you should take for a restored tooth include the following:
- Visit your dentist for a check-up every 6 months.
- Practice regular and complete oral hygiene.
- Brush at least twice a day and use dental floss.
- Use suitable mouthwashes for your teeth.
- Avoid chewing hard objects or cleaning your teeth with sharp objects.
- If you have bruxism (teeth grinding) during sleep, use a suitable night guard.
Final Summary
In this article prepared by Dr. Bonyanian’s dental clinic, we comprehensively reviewed dental restoration (tooth filling), types of tooth filling methods, and the pros and cons of each of these methods.
We learned that a tooth with a cavity or decay needs restoration. Therefore, if you feel that food gets stuck in specific areas of your teeth (and a cavity has technically formed), visit your dentist sooner to prevent further damage (like damage to the root).
Also, if you reside in Tehran and need a good and professional dental clinic for your dental restorations, you can visit Dr. Bonyanian’s dental clinic located at Argentina Square, Ahmad Qasir (Bokharest) Street, West Sixth Street, No. 22, Unit 7, or contact them by phone at +982188539720.
Dr. Nazi Bonyanian
Dental Surgeon (DDS) — Medical Council Number: 138662
Graduate of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with over 15 years of experience in implants, laminates, and oral and dental surgery.
Address: No. 22, Unit 7, West Alley 6, Bokharest Street, Argentina Sq., Tehran, Iran
Phone: +98-21-88539720 | WhatsApp: +98-912-514-2202
Email: info@drbonyanian.com
Working Hours: Sat–Wed 09:00–20:00 | Thu 09:00–14:00 | Friday Closed
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