Restorative Dentistry
Crown, Bridge, Veneer, Restorative Information
Your health and wellbeing are very important to Logos Dentistry, PLLC. Therefore, we want to provide you with information to help you make informed decisions about restorative dentistry treatments you may choose to have.
The goal of restorative dentistry as its name implies, is to restore the teeth to their natural size, shape, color and function. This page provides information relevant to dental fillings, crown, bridge, and veneer restorations. It is best that you read through the entire form, but in the interest of time, you may skip to the sections relevant to your recommended treatment.
Restorative Dental Procedures Offered by Logos Dentistry
Tooth Colored Fillings come in various forms. They may be made of resin, plastic-like materials; a mixture of glass ionomers and resin particles; porcelain and ceramic materials that combine silicates and oxides. These fillings can sometimes appear to the match the tooth exactly, or there may be variations in shades of the fillings. Treatment involves replacing the ‘space(s)’ created by removal of decayed and deteriorated tooth structure.
Crowns, Bridges, Onlays and Inlays are made of porcelain/ceramics, resins, acrylics, metals (precious or semi-precious) or a combination of these materials. Crowns are restorations that are placed to cover (‘cap’) a tooth. The purpose is to strengthen a tooth damaged by decay, large failing restorations (fillings), trauma, root canal treatment, or a combination of these conditions. A crown can also be used to improve the bite in certain abnormal bite situations. Several crowns can be fused together across a space to form a fixed ‘Bridge’. Missing teeth may need to be replaced for appearance, or to prevent or correct one’s bite and gum problems related to shifting or deteriorating teeth. Treatment involves removing 1-2 millimeters of the outside surface of the tooth, and then covering it with the crown/bridge. Onlays & Inlays are similar to ‘Fillings’ in appearance, however their placement is different in that these restorations are cemented into place, thereby creating a stronger and sturdier restoration.
Veneers are made of porcelain/ceramics, resins or acrylic materials. These restorations are more conservative and treatment involves removing 0.5-1 millimeter of the tooth outer surface.
There are two phases of treatment for crowns, bridges, veneers, onlays and inlays. The first is the ‘Preparation’ phase where the tooth (teeth) is shaped, an impression is taken, and then a temporary crown(s), bridge, veneer(s), onlay(s) and inlay(s) is placed with temporary cement. The second is the ‘Seat’ phase which includes another appointment about 2-4 weeks later where the permanent restoration is fitted and placed with special dental cement, only after approval by you. Because a temporary crown or veneer is not intended to function as well, or for as long as the permanent restoration, it is important to return promptly for the final permanent restoration. Deterioration of the temporary restoration can result in decay, gum disease, infections and problems with your bite.
To receive a copy of this information sheet, please request from a Logos Dentistry team member or download it here or learn more about restorative dental work here.