When a tooth becomes decayed, it’s often necessary to fill or restore it. The type of treatment you may undertake depends on the extent of the decay and whether there is an infection. A filling can help when decay is limited to a small area in a tooth that has not become infected. It can be put into place with dental cement and resin materials; once dry, the dentist will shape and polish it so that it blends with the texture of your natural tooth. Depending on how much work needs to be done, people can complete this procedure relatively quickly in one sitting (usually less than one hour).
- Inlay restorations:
If you have a discolored or chipped tooth, the dentist may inlay it with a precious metal such as gold, silver, or platinum. Once the alloy is completely fused with your tooth and polished, your dentist will remove the excess material and create a natural-looking crown that covers and protects the inlay. Unfortunately, inlays cannot be placed on molars because their irregular shapes make it difficult to fuse them correctly to the tooth structure.
- Onlay restorations:
If you have a damaged tooth but only need a minor repair, the dentist may be able to use a bonding material like resin, which will cement the replacement onto your tooth. This procedure is sometimes called a “temp crown” because the doctor puts it on temporarily to protect an area while this restoration is being crafted. First, visit Dr. Roland Pagniano Jr. to get it done smoothly. Once it has been shaped and polished, your dentist will remove the temporary crown and place a permanent one.
- Dentures or Partial Dentures:
For people who need dental prostheses (dentures) but have lost all of their teeth, the dentist may use a resin shape to replace an entire row of your natural teeth. The new denture will be inserted into the mouth and attached to the gum line. A finished partial denture may be put on the same way as an inlay, with bonding material and final polish. You can also obtain partial dentures from a dental lab made from porcelain or plastic and polished to match your teeth.
- Root Canal:
This procedure removes the soft tissue of a tooth that has become decayed and infected. What remains is a canal, or hollow tube, which keeps the tooth in place. Because this area cannot be quickly restored with a filling, your dentist creates an artificial root system by placing various dental materials and tapping the canal to make it fit within the mouth. After a root canal procedure, you’ll need to have your dental hygiene routine performed twice daily for about six weeks. At this time, your dentist will chlorinate your teeth using hydrogen peroxide or sodium hypochlorite solution; this helps prepare them for cleaning.
- Dental fillings:
This treatment is usually provided for filling dental cavities. Dental fillings are made of various materials and have different shapes. First, the dentist will make a hole in your tooth and place the filling material into it; once it has hardened, the dentist will use special instruments to shape and polish it to look natural.
Conclusion:
Depending on the type of tooth restoration being done and the extent of your decay, some procedures may take longer than others. For the best possible outcome, it is always wise to inform the dentist of any medications or other medical conditions you are prone to.