Restorative Dentistry

We provide all forms of restorative dentistry and will give you our opinion on what treatment options we think will work best for you.

Dentists and patients have several choices available to them when it comes to selecting materials to repair missing, damaged and decayed teeth. Many factors influence the choice of material used such as the patient’s oral health, the location of the restoration and the load the restoration will bear.

Amalgam (silver) fillings

Amalgam fillings have been used for more than a century. Amalgam is durable, easy to use, highly resistant to wear and remains a valued choice for many dentists. It is most often used for large restorations of the molars or where the restoration is not visible when the patient smiles. It is less expensive than other restorative materials and stands up well to heavy chewing and biting.

Dental amalgam is a stable alloy, it is a combination of metallic elements including; silver, tin, copper and elemental mercury. It is bio-compatible and well tolerated by patients. Amalgam has been thoroughly tested and researched by governing bodies all over the world and has been rendered a safe and reliable restorative material.

Composite (white) fillings

Composite fillings are used where the restoration is visible. They are not as durable as amalgam fillings but work very well for small to mid-size restorations. They can be matched to your natural tooth colour so they are esthetically pleasing and have become a popular choice for patients.

Gold Inlay Restorations

Gold inlay restorations are custom made restorations and are the best option for large molar restorations. Gold is the best and longest lasting filling material that dentistry has to offer. It has many advantages over materials that are commonly used in dentistry.

Porcelain Inlay Restorations

Porcelain inlay restorations are custom made restorations that mimic your natural tooth appearance. They are highly resistant to wear but can wear down opposing teeth if the inlay surface becomes rough due to grinding or fracture. They are prone to fracture when placed under heavy loads and because their strength depends on porcelain thickness, they require aggressive tooth reduction during preparation.

Crowns

A crown (commonly known as a cap) is a tooth-like covering that is custom made to fit over your existing tooth. It supports a tooth that no longer has sufficient tooth structure left to place a filling. A crown is also recommended on teeth that have had root canal treatment as the tooth becomes brittle and discoloured over time. Crowns are made of semi-precious or precious metals, porcelain or a combination of metal fused to porcelain.

Bridges

A bridge is a custom made structure that replaces one or more missing teeth. Fixed bridges look and function similar to natural teeth, they are permanently cemented in place and have many benefits. They restore lost teeth and maintain your natural bite, improve your smile and chewing ability and prevent shifting of adjacent teeth.

Root Canal Treatment (Endodontics)

It may be necessary to perform endodontic (root canal) treatment to save a tooth. When the tooth pulp (nerve) is diseased or damaged it becomes infected causing pain and sensitivity. Root canal treatment can save the infected tooth by replacing the diseased pulp with a special material that will keep the tooth functional. Common symptoms that indicate the need for root canal treatment are: pain or throbbing while biting, increased sensitivity to hot and cold, severe decay and inflammation around the tooth. In most cases we can provide you with root canal treatment although if we feel your case is more complex we will refer you to an Endodontist.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is a prosthetic replacement for a missing tooth. It is inserted directly into the jaw bone and effectively replaces the root of the missing tooth. A crown is then attached to the implant to replace the missing tooth. Implants can be used to replace one or several missing teeth and can also be used to secure full dentures. Dental implants are very safe and effective and have become the popular choice for tooth replacement for patients with good oral hygiene.