Composite Fillings (Tooth Coloured Fillings)

Have you ever wondered if there is an alternative to the existing dark fillings in your mouth? Composite fillings are tooth coloured restorations that can blend in with your natural teeth.

Composite fillings offer several advantages over traditional amalgam (silver) fillings.

1. Strength – Tooth coloured fillings actually bond the remaining tooth structure which adds strength and support to the damaged teeth.
2. Conservative – Because of the bonding of composite restorations we can save more of your natural tooth structure when restoring your teeth.
3. Aesthetic – Composite fillings come in a variety of shades that we can use to blend with the rest of your teeth making them virtually invisible.

Some patients may experience a mild sensitivity to hot and cold after the placement of composite fillings. This is normal and will subside once the tooth has a chance to acclimate itself to the new filling.

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Inlay/Onlays

Inlays and onlays are restorations that are somewhere in between regular fillings and full coverage crowns. Essentially, inlays and onlays are lab processed fillings. They are more conservative than crowns in that they do not require the entire surface of a tooth to be restored, but are stronger and more durable than traditional fillings because they are fabricated in a dental laboratory and then bonded into place.

Inlays are restorations that fit between the cusps of a tooth while onlays are restorations that cover one or more cusps.

Inlays and onlays are conservative restorations for teeth with extensive damage or decay. They cannot be used in every situation, but we will assess your individual needs and determine the best solution for you.

What to expect:
Like crowns, inlays and onlays are custom fabricated in a dental laboratory so they require two appointments. At the first appointment, the tooth is prepped for a crown and several impressions of the teeth are taken. Photos may also be taken at this appointment to assist in the proper shade match with your existing teeth. A temporary restoration is then placed over the prepared tooth for your comfort until your next appointment. The impressions are sent to the dental laboratory to fabricate a custom restoration for you. This takes about 2 weeks.

At the second appointment, the temporary restoration is removed and the prepared tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned. The custom inlay or onlay is then carefully bonded into place.

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Crowns

A crown, also known as a cap, is restoration that covers the entire surface of a tooth and protects it from further damage. A crown is used to restore strength and function to a tooth with extensive damage or decay.
You may need a crown if:

• You have a broken or fractured tooth
• You have a root canal
• You have a large restoration
• Your tooth has decay
• Your tooth is badly stained, not the right shape or out of alignment

Crowns are strong, durable, and long lasting as long as you take care of them. You need to brush and floss as though it was a natural tooth and maintain a regular dental check-up schedule.

Generally crowns are not as strong as your natural teeth so do not bite down on hard objects, use your teeth to open or cut things, and more generally, do not do things you wouldn’t do with your natural teeth.

What to expect:
Typically, the procedure for a crown takes two appointments. In the first appointment, the tooth is prepped for a crown and several impressions of the teeth are taken. Photos may also be taken at this appointment to assist in the proper shade match with your existing teeth. A temporary crown is then placed over the prepared tooth for your comfort until your next appointment. The impressions are sent to the dental laboratory to fabricate a custom crown for you. This takes about 2 weeks.

At the second appointment, the temporary crown is removed and the prepared tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned. The custom crown is then carefully cemented in place.

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Bridges

A dental bridge, also known as a fixed partial denture, is used to restore the space left by one or more missing teeth. Typically, a bridge consists of a false tooth supported and anchored by two crowns on either side of the space. If more than one tooth is missing, a more extensive bridge can be made to cover the large space.

It is important to restore a missing tooth as soon as possible to prevent possible complications such as:

• Tilting and drifting of remaining teeth into the space potentially causing gaps in your
• smile or changes in your bite
• Loss of chewing efficiency
• Speech impediments
• TMJ problems

A bridge is a strong, durable, and long lasting restoration, as long as you take care of it. You need to brush and take special care to floss under and around the false tooth for proper care. It is also very important to maintain a regular dental check-up schedule as noted by your dentist or hygienist.

What to expect:
Typically, the procedure for a bridge takes two appointments. In the first appointment, the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth are prepped for crowns and several impressions of the teeth are taken. Photos may also be taken at this appointment to assist in the proper shade match with your existing teeth. Temporary crowns, or sometimes a temporary bridge, are then placed over the prepared teeth for your comfort until your next appointment. The impressions are sent to the dental laboratory to fabricate a custom dental bridge for you. This takes about 2 weeks.

At the second appointment, the temporaries are removed and the prepared tooth surface is thoroughly cleaned. The custom crown is then carefully cemented in place.