There are several different options available regarding restoring teeth. These options will depend on suitability and will be personal to each patient. Your Dentist will discuss all the available options for you, taking into consideration your individual needs and the vitality of the tooth. Below are some of the options you may be given:
There a few different options for filling materials depending on what is most suitable for the individual patient and tooth. Some of the most common materials are below:
Amalgam this is the ‘silver’ coloured filling, most used for back teeth, and is included as standard in NHS dentistry. These are hard-wearing fillings and tend to last a long time, it is made up of metal materials including mercury, silver, and copper. There is no evidence to suggest Amalgam fillings have an ill effect on a person’s heath.
Composite this is the ‘tooth’ coloured filling, and varies shades are available to match the rest of your teeth. These fillings are offered as standard on the NHS for front/visible teeth and are available to be used on any teeth on a private basis. Composite is made up of a resin and glass mixture.
Glass Ionomer this is often classed as a ‘long-term temporary filling’. However, this material is often used on children, as a permanent option due to its fluoride releasing properties to help prevent any further decay. Glass Ionomer is made up of powdered glass which forms a chemical bond to your tooth.
Crowns are a ‘cap’ restoration that covers the entire tooth. There are different types of crown materials, depending on the suitability of the tooth. Crowns are suitable when the damage to the tooth is greater than being able to repair it with a filling, or often, following a Root Canal Treatment. After this treatment, the tooth often becomes brittle and the best was to offer better longevity is to place a crown.
Crown materials available on the NHS are:
- Full Metal (alloy)
- Porcelain Bonded Crown (porcelain bonded to metal) – resulting in a ‘tooth coloured’ crown.
- All Resin
- All Ceramic
Crown materials available on a Private basis here at Taverham Dental:
- Emax
Your dentist will discuss all the options that are suitable for you, both NHS and Private, so that you are able to make a clear and informed decision on your treatment.
Bridges are like crowns, however instead of just one restoration there are multiple. They are used as a fixed appliance to replace a missing tooth, by placing crowns on the adjacent teeth and producing a replica tooth in the gap.
