Fillings are the most common type of ‘restorative treatment’. A filling replaces the part of the tooth that has been lost because decay has caused a cavity in the tooth or because the tooth has broken. One option in restoring the tooth is to have a white filling, commonly known as a ‘Composite Filling’.
Many people have fillings, the majority being grey metal called ‘Amalgam’. Fillings do not just have to be practical, they can also be aesthetically pleasing and thus many patients no longer have the desire for amalgam fillings because they are visible : with most white fillings, no-one would know it was there.
Composites are
- Composite are referred to as white fillings. Composite is a tooth coloured material composed of glass particles suspended in a resin matrix. It is available in several shades to perfectly match your tooth.
- Composites are bonded directly to your tooth which can help to support the remaining tooth structure.
Composites can be used for a variety of cosmetic dental procedures –
- Repairing chipped or broken teeth
- Closing gaps between your teeth (diastemas)
- Reshaping your teeth
Composite is not ideal for all restorations on back teeth especially if you have a large cavity, as bonding does not have the strength over large areas or if you have a heavy bite, grind or clench your teeth. The alternative tooth coloured restoration then would be an inlay or onlay.
“Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.”
Fillings are the most common type of ‘restorative treatment’. A filling replaces the part of the tooth that has been lost either because decay has caused a cavity in the tooth or because the tooth has broken. One option in restoring the tooth is to have an Amalgam filling however with high quality tooth coloured fillings available, amalgam usage is now declining.
- Amalgam – Sometimes referred to as a silver filling. This is an alloy which is made up using Mercury, Silver, Tin, Copper and Zinc.
- It is extremely durable and able to withstand the grinding and chewing of the molar teeth over long periods of time.
- They are less expensive than white fillings
The disadvantages
- They look unattractive in the tooth due to its colour.
- Some people are concerned about the mercury content; please discuss this with your dentist.
- Amalgam expands and contracts with temperature which can weaken the remaining tooth.
- The colouring leaches into the dentinal tubules inside the tooth, leaving a permanent blue-gray halo that bleaching cannot remove.
The Procedure
- A local anaesthetic will be given to numb the tooth and the surrounding tissue.
- The tooth will be thoroughly cleaned. All decay, food debris or tartar will be removed. The tooth will then be shaped to accept the amalgam by mechanical retention rather than being bonded or cemented.
- Depending on the size of the filling, a band may be placed around the tooth which helps to hold the filling material in place whilst it is being packed into the tooth.
- The Amalgam is packed into the tooth, then carved in to the correct shape.
Although amalgam hardens within a few minutes, it takes 24 hours for it to set fully.
“Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.”
Inlays and Onlays are restorations that are used to rebuild a tooth that has lost a significant amount of its structure due to decay or trauma. Similar to dental fillings but rather than being directly placed into your tooth and then set, they are fabricated in our dental laboratory and then cemented into place. This is known as an ‘indirect procedure’. Inlays fit into the tooth whereas onlays sit on top of the remaining tooth structure.
PorcelainInlays and Onlays can be constructed using –
- Gold
- Composite
Your dentist will evaluate your tooth to see if it is suitable for an Inlay or Onlay and also decide which material is best.
The procedure
Two appointments will be necessary: the first to prepare the tooth surface and the second to fit the Onlay or Inlay.
The first appointment
- A local anaesthetic is given to numb the tooth and the surrounding tissue.
- Any decay that is present will be removed and the tooth surface will be prepared for the restoration.
- An impression (mould) is taken of your teeth using special dental “putty”. The putty is placed into an impression tray; they are both then inserted into your mouth and pushed onto your teeth in order to take an impression. Once the dental putty is set, the impression will be removed. An impression is also taken of the opposing teeth, so the technician can see how you bite together.
- A temporary restoration will be placed on the prepared tooth to protect it whilst your Inlay or Onlay is being fabricated.
- The impression is sent to our Dental Laboratory where our technicians will custom make your Inlay or Onlay. This can take up to two weeks.
The Fit Appointment
- A local anaesthetic may be needed to numb the tooth and surrounding gum.
- The temporary restoration will be removed and the tooth cleaned.
- The dentist will then try in your new Inlay or Onlay, making sure the fit is perfect, your bite is comfortable and you are happy with the appearance. The Inlay or Onlay will then be permanently cemented in place.
“Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.”
A crown is a tooth shaped cover which fits over the existing structure of your natural tooth to protect and restore the tooth’s function.
Crowns can be used to –
- Strengthen teeth which have been weakened by decay or a large filling.
- Protect fractured, cracked and worn teeth.
- Improve the shape, alignment and shade of a tooth.
- After root canal treatment, to help strengthen the tooth.
Each crown is individually handcrafted by our dental technician to create a healthy, natural look.
Crowns can be made using the following materials – all metal (often gold)or tooth coloured crowns such as porcelain fused to metal (often gold or a gold alloy), full ceramic (porcelain) or composite (plastic with glass particles embedded). The material used will depend on why you are having the crown.
Whether you choose to have a crown to improve the shape and alignment of your teeth or to strengthen your tooth, the procedure is the same.
Two appointments are necessary, the first to prepare the tooth for the crown and the second to fit the crown.
The preparation appointment
- A local anaesthetic may be needed to numb the tooth and surrounding gum
- The dentist will then shape the outer surfaces of the tooth, creating a cylindrical shape onto which the crown will seat.
- An impression (mould) is taken of your teeth using special dental “putty”generally made from silicone. The putty is placed into an impression tray; they are both then inserted into your mouth and pushed over your teeth in order to take an impression. Once the dental putty is set, the impression will be removed. An impression is also taken of the opposing teeth, so the technician can see how you bite together
- A temporary crown will be cemented onto the prepared tooth to protect it whilst your crown is being fabricated.
- The impression will be sent to the Dental Laboratory where our technician will handcraft your crown. This will take between two and three weeks.
The “Fitting” Appointment
- A local anaesthetic may be needed to numb the tooth and surrounding gum
- The temporary crown will be removed and the tooth will be washed to remove the temporary cement.
- The dentist will then try in your new crown, making sure that it fits correctly and that you are happy with the appearance. The crown will then be permanently cemented in place. The bite is checked carefully and may need minor adjustments.
A bridge is one of the options to replace one or more missing teeth. It is a permanent fixture which is anchored to the adjacent natural tooth or teeth (the abutment) to ‘bridge’ the gap where the tooth (or teeth) is missing (the pontic). This also prevents the adjacent natural teeth from drifting.
A bridge is a great option if you do not wish to have dental implants or a denture to replace your missing tooth or teeth. There are many different designs and materials which can be used for bridges: your dentist will discuss the best option for you.
Each bridge is individually handcrafted by our dental technician to create a healthy, natural look which also sits comfortably with your bite.
There are several types of bridges
Cantilever Bridge – This is a bridge with one false tooth or ‘pontic’ which is attached to one crown ‘the abutment’
Fixed- Fixed Bridge – Generally consists of three crowns joined together, one at each end which cover your natural teeth and a crown in the middle which replaces your missing tooth.- Some bridges may actually be four, five or even more crowns joined together, designed to replace more than one of your missing teeth
Adhesive Bridge – This bridge has a false tooth (the pontic) to which a metal or tooth coloured ‘wing’ is attached to a natural tooth on either side of the missing tooth. This type of bridge can have one or two wings
Dental bridges can be made using the following materials – all metal (often gold) or tooth coloured bridges such as porcelain fused to metal (often gold or a gold alloy), full ceramic (porcelain) or composite (plastic with glass particles embedded). The material used will depend on why you are having the bridge.
Two appointments are necessary, the first to prepare the tooth for the bridge abutments and the second to fit your bridge.
The preparation appointment
- A local anaesthetic may be need to numb the tooth and surrounding gum
- The dentist will then shape the outer surfaces of the tooth, creating a cylindrical shape onto which the bridge will seat.
- An impression (mould) is taken of your teeth using special dental “putty”. The putty is placed into an impression tray; they are both then inserted into your mouth and pushed onto your teeth in order to take an impression. Once the dental putty is set the impression will be removed. An impression is also taken of the opposing teeth, so the technician can see how you bite together
- A temporary crown will be cemented onto the prepared tooth to protect it whilst your bridge is being fabricated.
- The impressions will be sent to the dental laboratory where our technician will handcraft your dental bridge. This will take between two and three weeks.
The “Fitting” Appointment
- A local anaesthetic may be need to numb the tooth and surrounding gum
- The temporary crown will be removed and the tooth will be washed to remove the temporary cement.
- The dentist will then try in your new bridge, making sure that it fits correctly and that you are happy with the appearance. The bridge will then permanently cemented in place.
“Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.”
Dental Implants are the latest innovation to replace a missing tooth or a number of teeth. An implant consists of an artificial titanium rod which is placed directly into the jaw bone and acts as a replacement for the root portion of the natural tooth. The implant is made using pure titanium which allows new bone cells to grow around it: the implant then integrates with the newly formed bone which firmly locks it into place. This process is called ‘Osseointegration’.
A Dental Implant can be used to replace –
- One tooth – One implant will be placed, a crown will then be fixed on top of the implant.
- Several teeth – Either several implants and crowns will be placed or a dental bridge will be fitted onto the implants.
- All the teeth – A number of implants are placed, then either a fixed bridge will be fitted onto the implants or the implants will be used to firmly hold a removable denture.
Initial Consultation
A consultation appointment is necessary see if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants and to explain the process of placing an implant. X-rays may be taken and impressions (moulds) of your teeth. A treatment plan will then be drawn up detailing all the appointments required and the costing.
How are implants placed?
You will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area around where the Implant is being placed. For patients who are anxious sedation can be given.
- An incision is made in the gum where the implant is going to be placed, to expose the bone; a small hole is then drilled into the jaw bone.
- The titanium implant screw is inserted into the bone. A protective cover or ‘healing cap’ is placed over the top of the screw. This is either left visible in the mouth, or if the implant is deep in the jaw bone the gum will be stitched over the healing cap.
- This is left for 3 to 6 months to allow new bone to integrate with the implant allowing osseointegration to happen. If osseointegration does not occur the implant will fail.
- When the implant has securely integrated with the jaw bone the healing cap is removed. The final crown or bridge can be cemented or screwed into place or a removable overdenture can be clipped onto or supported by the implants
On occasion it may be necessary to place a temporary crown or bridge for a few months to allow the gum to heal fully before the permanent restoration can be fitted.
Looking after your Implant
Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups with the dentist and hygienist are a very important part of looking after your implants as the gums need to remain healthy. The implants can then last a lifetime.
“Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.”
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