Restorative Dentistry: A Guide

At Victoria Road Dental Clinic, we are committed to educating people on oral health, providing advice and tips on keeping your mouth and gums in great shape. Dental care should not be a mystery – if you are ever unsure about a symptom or treatment, feel free to get in touch with a member of our friendly team who should be able to advise you. To book an appointment with a dentist in Ruislip, contact us on 01895 636 121.

Most of us will have two full sets of teeth in our lifetimes; our ‘baby teeth’, which we will eventually lose naturally, and our adult teeth. Our adult teeth are a set of 32 teeth, made up of canines, incisors and molars. Unlike our baby teeth, when we lose our adult teeth, they will not be replaced. If we want to retain a full set of teeth, maintaining oral hygiene is a must.

In the case of our dental health, prevention is, of course, better than cure. Visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups, booking appointments with a dental hygienist and ensuring you are brushing and flossing correctly at least twice a day will help ensure you maintain a healthy mouth and gums.

However, we do understand that sometimes, restorative dental care will be required. With that in mind, we have put together the below guide to restorative dental treatments, to help increase understanding around the different types of treatments and why they might be necessary.

 

Fillings

Statistics suggest that over ⅘ of the UK population has at least one filling. Fillings are one of the most common restorative dental treatments. They are used to repair cavities in teeth. When a tooth experiences decay, in order to prevent the area of decay from spreading and causing irreparable damage to the entire tooth, a dentist must remove the decay. They will do this by first numbing the area around the tooth, before drilling to remove all of the decay. Once the decay has been removed, the dentist will clean the area left behind. Afterwards, they will fill the hole with sturdy material to help protect the vulnerable tooth.

There are two types of material that can be used for fillings – composite or amalgam. Composite is a white or tooth coloured synthetic resin. Composite if often preferred by patients for fillings as it can be disguised to look like the original tooth. Because of this, however, it is more expensive. Amalgam is a silver coloured metal alloy. This is more commonly used in fillings as it is somewhat less expensive than composite. Amalgam fillings are extremely strong and can effectively resist corrosion.

If you require a filling, your dentist will usually inform you in your check up and will then schedule a separate appointment to carry out the procedure. The procedure is very straightforward. The dentist will numb your mouth with an anaesthetic prior to the procedure so you should not experience any pain during the process. Afterwards, you may be advised not to eat or drink for a couple of hours while the material sets. Once it has set, you will be able to eat and drink as normal.

To find out more about teeth filling in Ruislip, visit our page.

 

Dental inlays and onlays

Dental inlays and onlays can be used on teeth at the rear of the mouth to protect teeth that are cracked or broken. Using a composite resin material, the biting surface of the tooth can be covered and the resin bonds in place to allow normal use of the tooth. They are often used when a tooth is too fragile to support a filling, but a crown is not necessarily required.

An inlay is used to cover the inner cusp of the tooth, while an onlay is used to cover a larger surface area. Common materials used are composite, gold or porcelain.

Similar to a filling, the procedure for a dental inlay or onlay involves the dentist numbing the area around the tooth before working to remove any decay. After the decay has been removed, the dentist will create an impression of the tooth, which will be sent to a dental laboratory where the tooth restoration will be created. In the meantime, the dentist will fit a temporary solution. On the second visit, once the restoration has been sent back from the lab, the dentist will carefully remove the temporary installation, replacing it with the permanent inlay/onlay. Dental adhesive will then be used to bond the inlay/onlay with the tooth.

To find out more about dental inlays in Ruislip, visit our page.

 

Crowns

Teeth that are broken or weakened by decay could benefit from a dental crown. Crowns are caps that cover the surface of the tooth. They can help restore and protect damaged teeth, as well as providing other strengthening benefits to teeth.

Dental crown treatment usually takes place over two visits to the dentist. The dentist will first assess the tooth with an X-ray, a scan and preparation of the tooth to be crowned. The dentist will lay a temporary crown over the tooth while the scan of your teeth will be sent to a dental laboratory to create the permanent crown. Once it has been created, the dentist will place the permanent crown on the affected tooth. It is a very straightforward procedure.

Different types of material can be used for dental crowns. These include silver, gold, porcelain bonded metal, ceramic and zirconia. Your dentist will likely discuss the best option with you during your first consultation.

To find out more about dental crowns in Ruislip, visit our page.

 

Dental implants and dentures

Sometimes, an extraction is the only viable solution for a tooth that has become too damaged. In this case, you may want to consider dentures or a dental implant.

Dentures are removable false teeth, made from either acrylic or metal, which can be laid in place of missing teeth to help maintain jaw structure and the ability to bite and chew normally. When you lose a tooth, your dentist can fit you for custom made dentures, which will be created specifically for your mouth and should, therefore, be comfortable to wear. Dentures are a more affordable option than dental implants, which are a more permanent solution to tooth loss.

Dental implants are realistic looking false teeth, which are fitted permanently to the jaw with metal screws. Once a dental implant is in place, it can be almost impossible to tell the difference between the implant and a natural tooth. Dental implants are strong and sturdy and can help prevent any further bone loss, which can naturally occur as a result of a missing tooth.

When placing a dental implant, the dentist will first numb the area, before implanting a titanium root in the jawbone, in which to screw the new tooth. Dental implants can take up to six months to set fully into the surrounding tissue. During this time, the dentist may provide you with a temporary bridge or denture.

At Victoria Road Dental Clinic, we are experts at fitting high-quality premium dental implants. To see some examples of successful dental implants, visit our dental implants page.

Some people can be put off by the cost of dental implants. We believe that everyone should have access to great dental care, so we offer different finance options for dental treatments, to help people achieve their perfect smile.

To find out more about dental implants in Ruislip, visit our page.

 

Root canals

When the pulp of a tooth becomes infected, a root canal will normally be needed. A root canal is a type of filling and follows a similar procedure which includes numbing the area before drilling a hold in the tooth. During a root canal, the dentist will remove the infected pulp from the root of the tooth and clean the area. Medication can be used to clear the infection and temporarily fill the tooth. A root canal is usually carried out across two appointments. During the second appointment, the dentist will remove the temporary filling and permanently fill the tooth.

Many people fear the ‘pain’ of a root canal, however, the reality is that aside from the numbing injection, you should not feel pain during the procedure. Your dentist may advise you that you may experience some discomfort following the procedure, but this can be managed with over the counter pain medication and is does not last long.

Symptoms that suggest you might need a root canal include extreme sensitivity to hot food and beverages, spontaneous throbbing toothache, pain when biting or chewing and swelling of the face or gums. If you are concerned that you might need a root canal, book an appointment with your dentist today. To find out more about root canal treatment in Ruislip, visit our page.

 

We also carry out a number of professional cosmetic dentistry treatments to help people achieve their dream smile. Read our guide to cosmetic dentistry in Ruislip to learn more.

 

To learn more about common dental treatments and terminology, why not read our guide to dental jargon?

 

Restorative dentistry is extremely important and, therefore, it is vital that you choose an experienced, accredited dental practice to carry out and restorative dental work. At the Victoria Road Dental Clinic we have helped thousands of patients regain confidence in their smiles and improve their oral health. To book a consultation with one of our dentists, call 01895 636 121 or complete our online booking form today.