Restorative Care

Dental fillings are used to replace tooth structure that is missing due to decay, cavities or fractures. The cavity is removed and the hole in the tooth is filled with a silver (amalgam) or tooth colored (resin or glass ionomer) filling. Dental fillings can also be used if a small piece of the tooth is broken or fractured. If a large piece of the tooth is broken or fractured a crown is often recommended. There are pros and cons to both types of dental fillings. All in the Family Dental will help you decide if a silver filling or tooth colored filling is the best material for your tooth.

Crowns are commonly referred to as “caps.” Crowns or caps are permanently cemented onto a tooth. Crowns are most often used when teeth are cracked, broken, decayed and worn. A crown returns structure, strength and function to a tooth. It fits tightly around the tooth and protects the tooth from further damage and functions like a natural healthy tooth.

Crowns can be all metal, a combination of porcelain and metal or all- porcelain/all-ceramic crowns. All porcelain and all ceramic crowns are often the most esthetic choices. Crowns are custom matched to the shade of each patient’s teeth. All in the Family Dental will help each patient choose the right material for his/her crown.

A dental bridge is type of restoration that can replace a single missing tooth or several teeth. The bridge process is similar to that of a crown. The teeth on either side of the missing tooth are prepared for a crown or a “cap”. Then an impression is taken and the lab constructs the bridge. The two crowns are attached by a pontic in the middle that replaces the missing tooth. The bridge is cemented in permanently and is not meant to come in and out. A bridge can be made of metal or ceramics or both. They can be gold/metal colored or tooth colored. A bridge can help restore your bite and keep teeth in their natural place.