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Restorations
There are two ways to restore a tooth, Indirect or
Direct.
Indirect – An indirect restoration is done as a two-appointment
procedure. On your first visit the tooth or teeth will be prepared
and an impression will be taken. A temporary filling will be placed
in your tooth or teeth until your next visit, which are approximately
2 to 3 weeks from your first visit. The impression is sent to a dental
laboratory to have a fabricated restoration made. On your second visit
the temporary filling will be removed, a dental dam will be placed
for dryness and patient comfort and the tooth/teeth will be conditioned
with a special dental adhesive bonding procedure for insertion of
your restoration. Indirect resin restorations have the same advantages
as Direct resin restorations as listed below. Determination for the
need of a Direct restoration vs. an Indirect restoration depends on
the size and work load of the restoration.
Direct – A direct restoration is done in a single visit
appointment. After preparing and conditioning the tooth or teeth,
a tooth colored resin material is placed in the prepared tooth or
teeth and cured with a high intensity optical curing light.
The advantages of a direct resin restoration vs. an amalgam (silver)
filling are as followed:
| Direct
Resin |
|
Amalgam |
| · |
Strengthens
teeth. |
|
· |
Adds
no strength to teeth and preparation weakens tooth. |
| · |
Has
fluoride protection against recurrent decay. |
|
· |
Margins
of the filling leak causing recurrent decay and/or Failure. |
| · |
Tooth
colored. |
|
· |
Silver/Black
colored. |
| · |
Conservative
adhesive bonded. |
|
· |
Needs
aggressive undercut to hold filling. |
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