In today’s post, we will discuss some restorative treatments for the teeth.

Inlays
An inlay is a restorative treatment for cracked or broken teeth when a filling does not suffice. Inlays are used for tooth that is not too damaged to require crowns. An inlay is made of porcelain, gold, or composite resins. It is typically applied to the chewing are of the tooth.

Onlays
Onlays are a type of inlays that cover more than one tooth. Onlays are spread over the chewing surface of multiple teeth.

Crowns
Dental crowns are restorations for teeth that have been severely affected by cavities or badly broken or damaged. The crown essentially restores the shape of the teeth by filling in the gaps. The adjacent teeth’s shape and structure help design the perfect crowns. A crown is typically made of porcelain. However, crowns made of other restorative materials are also available. Dental crowns are also known as caps as they ‘cap’ the damaged teeth.

Bridges
Dental bridges are artificial replacements of your tooth. A bridge helps fill in the gap created by a missing tooth. A dental bridge is made with porcelain or metal.

Fillings
Dental fillings are essentially a restorative treatment. As the name suggests, the filling process involves filing in the cavities created in the teeth due to decay. It is also sometimes done for aesthetic corrections. Fillings are made of composite materials, metals, alloys, or porcelain. Fillings are made to match the exact shade of your teeth so that they do not look out of place.

If your dentist uses terms that you are not familiar with, make it a point to interrupt him/her and ask.

Happy smiling!

Tags: bridges, Crowns, Fillings, inlays, onlays, restorative treatment