Restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on restoring filling lost tooth surfaces due to caries Tooth cavities,  tooth fracture or wear and tear. While cosmetic dentistry deals with the appearance, restorative dentistry deals with oral health and functionality. We restore the lost tooth structure due to Dental caries with the best direct and indirect fillings. Some of the direct Restorative procedures are glass ionomer fillings, GIC capsule fillings, tooth-colored composite fillings. Indirect procedures include inlays, onlays, overlays. Tooth decay occurs when enamel is infected by bacteria, necessitating filling removal and replacement. Dentists use various materials like ceramics and polymers to restore teeth. Factors affecting restoration include oral health, filling material, placement, chewing load, and number of visits required.

Types of Dental Restorations (fillings)

Dentists have used Amalgam Fillings for over a century due to their durability, affordability, and resistance to wear. However, disadvantages include short-term sensitivity, unnatural appearance, and the need to remove more tooth structure. Amalgam is considered outdated in modern dentistry.

Composite Fillings (Tooth Coloured)

When glass or quartz filler is mixed in a resin medium, it produces a filling that is tooth-coloured. This is a composite or filled resin. Composite fillings are durable and are fracture-resistant in small and midsize restorations in teeth that handle moderate chewing pressure. Less tooth structure is removed during preparation, resulting in a smaller filling than that of an amalgam. Composites can also be “bonded” or adhesively held in a cavity, often allowing the dentist to make a more conservative repair to the tooth.

The cost is moderate and depends on the size of the filling and technique used by the dentist to place it in the prepared tooth. It generally takes longer to place a composite filling than an amalgam filling.

Ionomers

Glass ionomers, tooth-colored materials, contain acrylic acids and glass powders for filling root surface cavities. They release fluoride, require minimal tooth preparation, and are suitable for non-chewing teeth. Resin ionomers, similar but with acrylic resin, are for small non-chewing fillings. Both lack enamel translucency, have low to moderate fracture resistance, and may wear quickly on chewing surfaces. Allergies are rare, and they are generally well-tolerated by patients.

Indirect Restorative Dental Materials ( Two or more visits)

Custom-made dental restorations like crowns, inlays, and onlays are crafted in a lab from a mold and require multiple visits. Crowns cover the entire tooth, inlays fit within the tooth, and onlays cover part or all of the chewing surfaces. These restorations can be costly due to the lab work involved. Materials used include porcelain, porcelain fused to metal, gold alloys, and base metal alloys.

All – Porcelain (Ceramic) Dental Materials

All-porcelain (ceramic) dental materials such as porcelain, ceramic or glasslike fillings and crowns, are used as inlays, onlays, crowns and aesthetic veneers. A veneer is a very thin shell of porcelain that can replace or cover part of the enamel of the tooth. All-porcelain (ceramic) restorations are particularly desirable because their colour and translucency mimic natural tooth enamel.

All-porcelain restorations require a minimum of two visits or more. They are prone to fractures when placed under tension or on impact. The strength of this type of restoration depends on an adequate thickness of porcelain and the ability to be bonded to the underlying tooth. They are highly resistant to wear and tear.

Porcelian – fused-to-Metal

Another type of restoration is the porcelain-fused-to-metal, which provides strength to a crown or bridge and is very strong and durable.

Porcelain bonded to a supporting structure of metal creates a stronger restoration than using porcelain used alone. But, much of the existing tooth needs to be removed to accommodate the restoration. Although they are highly resistant to wear and tear themselves, porcelain restorations can wear out opposing natural teeth if the porcelain surface becomes rough.

Gold Alloys

Gold alloys contain gold, copper and other metals and are a strong, effective filling, crown or a bridge. They are primarily used for inlays, onlays, crowns and fixed bridges and are highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing.

Gold alloys are strong and tough and can resist fracture and wear and tear. Very little of the healthy tooth structure needs to be removed when preparing for restoration. Gold alloys are also gentle to opposing teeth and are well tolerated by patients. However, the only down side is that they do not look like natural teeth.

Base Metal Alloys

Base metal alloys are silver-coloured, non-noble metals and are used in crowns, fixed bridges and partial dentures. They are resistant to corrosion and tarnishing and are strong and tough. Their metallic colour is their only problem, as they do not look like natural teeth.

Indirect Composites

Crowns, inlays and onlays can be made in labs using dental composites. These materials are similar to those used in direct fillings, are tooth-coloured and do not excessively wear out opposing teeth. Their strength and durability is not as high as porcelain or metal restorations and they are prone to wear and tear and discoloration

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT & functional crown:

Root canal treatment is essential for saving badly decayed or infected teeth. During the procedure, the nerve and pulp are removed, and the tooth is sealed to prevent infection. Materials like gutta percha are used to fill the canals, followed by a crown for protection. Steps include cleaning, filling, sealing, and adding a crown. Indications for treatment include sensitivity, pain while biting, swelling, and severe decay or injury.