6 Most Popular Dental Restorations
William Goddard
/ June 10, 2024
Kingsport, TN
Dental restorations are the perfect method to restore a patient’s smile and functionality. In some cases, small or basic restorations are necessary requiring minimally invasive procedures. On the other hand, some patients who have a significant amount of damage may require extensive preservation work to restore their oral health and functionality. Although the reasons for your patient’s restoration may vary, our expert dental lab technicians at Premier Dental Arts can provide a quality product that will keep your patient smiling confidently. Below, we share the six most popular dental restorations.
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Dental Fillings
The most common and basic restoration is a dental filling. Harmful bacteria break down and erode tooth enamel resulting in tooth decay and cavities when left untreated. The biocompatible tooth-colored material can fill the hole after removing bacteria and decay. Once cured, the treatment is invisible to the naked eye and generates a complete smile.
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Crowns and Bridges
Dental crowns are often the dentist’s choice when severe damage occurs, as they can repair large cavities and provide support for the remaining natural tooth structure. Furthermore, crowns can restore functionality for a broken tooth by providing a bite surface, or replace missing teeth. Our knowledgeable dental lab technicians explain that some crowns cover existing tooth structures, while others are complete artificial teeth meant for cementing or screwing into place.
Dental bridges use dental crowns to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth in a row. A dental bridge is one or more crowns connected and suspended between two teeth anchored on each end to surrounding teeth, thus creating a bridge. Another treatment option for dental bridges is to use implants and an abutment to attach them along the gumline for a secure fit where additional teeth are not available to attach the bridge.
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Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are similar to crowns in their composition, but veneers bond to the tooth surface for aesthetic improvements versus restoring functionality. The thin shell-like covers mask discoloration, chips, cracks, crookedness, and size concerns to create a uniform smile. Compared to crowns, veneers are less durable even though they’re made of composite resin or porcelain.
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Inlays and Onlays
A dental inlay or onlay is best suited for patients who have a cavity that’s too large for a composite filling, but not large enough to constitute a crown. The custom restorations mimic crown behaviors by restoring bite surfaces, but inlays and onlays cover a portion of the tooth, not the whole tooth, like crowns. Our professional dental lab technicians explain that an inlay rests on the tooth’s center surface completing the area between cusps. On the other hand, an onlay covers most of the tooth’s surface and at least one cusp.
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Dental Implants
Dental implants are a permanent solution used in many patient restoration cases. Patients undergo implant surgery to place surgical titanium posts into the jawbone, where artificial crowns, bridges, or dentures can attach. Over time, the post will fuse with the jawbone creating a secure attachment that mimics natural tooth roots, including stimulating the jawbone to prevent jawbone loss.
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Dentures
Dentures can partially or completely restore a patient’s smile. Partial dentures can replace teeth in one or more areas, while complete dentures can replace the entire arch. Traditional dentures rest on the top of the patient’s gums, making it easy to remove the appliance when necessary. Implant-supported dentures can snap in place yet are removeable by the patient as they please. Removable dentures can help maintain good oral health since the patient can reach areas where bacteria often hide.
Dental Lab Technicians in Kingsport, TN
Our experienced dental lab technicians at Premier Dental Arts understand that restoring a patient’s smile to their satisfaction heavily weighs on the high-quality production of dental restoration pieces. Whether your patient has minor damage and needs an aesthetic approach or there’s significant damage from bacteria or an accident, our staff can craft any of the above six dental restorations to your patient’s specifications. Call our office today at (888) 732-5221 to find out more information about our dental restoration services.