7 Types of Materials Used in Dental Restorations

Your teeth can crack, chip, break, or decay due to natural aging, dental injuries, and other reasons. It can result in discomfort, impaired bite and speech ability, and a less confident smile. Thanks to dental restorations, you can repair dental damage, enhance your beautiful smile, and restore oral functions like chewing.

Common Dental Restorations Treatments

Restorative dentistry focuses on improving the patient’s oral health and function. It can include replacing or repairing teeth due to decay, trauma, gum disease, and natural wear.

Once you visit our dentist near you for dental treatment, they will examine your condition and create a customized treatment plan. Based on your specific situation and needs, the dentist may recommend the following treatments:

• Dental implants, bridges, and dentures for missing teeth
• Dental fillings for tooth decay or cavities
• Dental crowns for moderate tooth decay or damage
• Inlays and Onlays for moderate teeth damage
• Dental bonding or veneers for minor teeth damage like chips

What materials are used for dental restorations?

There are a variety of dental restoration materials. The correct material depends on your budget, condition, functional and aesthetic preferences, and dentist recommendations.

Common materials for dental restorations include:

• Gold

When considering strength and durability, gold dental restorations don’t disappoint. Gold is a common choice for dental restorations like dental fillings, crowns, bridges, and Inlays. Gold is extremely strong and durable enough to withstand significant forces of chewing and grinding foods.

For these reasons, they are best suited for back teeth used for heavy chewing. The color of gold restorations can be appealing to some, while others prefer more natural-looking materials, especially for front tooth restorations. Amalgam, porcelain, and zirconia restorations are excellent alternatives to gold restorations.

• Amalgam

Amalgam is among the most common but oldest dental restoration materials. Amalgam is an alloy of metals like tin, copper, mercury, and silver. It’s commonly used in dental restoration procedures like dental fillings to treat cavities, decay, and tooth damage.

Thanks to the strength and durability of metal alloys, amalgam restoration is best suited for back teeth used for heavy chewing. Their silver appearance is highly noticeable thus, not ideal for front teeth restorations.

• Porcelain

Porcelain has it all in terms of great aesthetics, durability, and strength. Porcelain is a biocompatible material that can match the color of your natural teeth.

Porcelain is strong enough to withstand chewing forces and resists staining better than natural teeth. Porcelain is used in various dental restorations, like dental fillings, crowns, inlays, onlays, veneers, and bridges. Your dentist may advise against porcelain restorations if you have excessive bruxism (teeth grinding).

• Composite Resin

Composite resin is a common material, especially for temporary restorations. Like porcelain, they have a natural tooth color, making them suitable for front tooth restorations. Unfortunately, they are less durable and can easily chip or break under excessive force. Composite resin is commonly used in dental fillings, bonding, crowns, and veneers.

• Titanium

Titanium is a common material for dental implant posts that replace the roots of missing teeth. Titanium is biocompatible and can bond with natural bone like the jawbone. Titanium is also crack and corrosion-resistant, making it an excellent choice for dental restorations.

• Zirconia

Zirconia is a relatively newer material for dental restorations. It’s extremely strong and durable and has that natural teeth color. Zirconia can make dental implants, dental crowns, and bridges.

• Lithium Silicate

Lithium silicate is made from a unique ceramic material, making it an excellent choice for dental restorations like fillings, veneers, and inlays. It has tooth-like transparency, and it’s very thin. Lithium silicate makes same-day crowns.

Are you looking for dental restorations in Concord, MA? Or do you need more information about restorative dentistry and dental restorations near you? Contact us at Concord Woods Dental Group today.