Dental Restoration 101

Direct restorations are the most common restorations. They refer to fillings that are consisted of dental amalgam or silver fillings, glass ionomers and resin ionomers or white fillings. These are then placed into a prepared cavity. This procedure is done in only one visit to the dentist. On the other hand, Indirect restorations are custom made fillings in dental laboratories, according to the prescription made by the dentist. The actual procedure may be finished in two visits. Indirect restoration is more expensive than direct restorations since the former consists of a more complex (at least for me) layer of inlays, onlays, dental crowns, and bridges.

It is thrilling to note that a brilliant structural engineer came up with an equally thrilling idea: if polymer (fiber-reinforced, that is) is so tough on bridges, not to mention its light-weight feature, why not use it to bridge teeth?

He paired up with a Maryland Dental School professor and both of them worked on the new dental bridge they have in mind. The result? A dental bridge that is 4 times tougher than the usual dental bridge. The materials that the two have used are the same materials that are being used in aerospace, automotive industries and the like. Truly a remarkable invention!

Photo taken from http://www.jacobsschool.ucsd.edu

To understand more what dental restoration is all about, read on.

Basically, there are two different kinds of dental restoration: first, we have the direct restoration, wherein certain dental procedures like fillings, are done on the spot. When you visit your dentist and he/she recommends that you get a filling for a couple of your molars on that very same day, then that is direct restoration. But if for example, you visit your dentist and he/she fits something in your mouth, does some measurements and the like and asks you to go back after a few days, then that is what we call indirect restoration.

Photo taken from http://www.flahec.org