Tooth-Colored Restorations at Boones Ferry Dental

Long gone are the days when any dental work you had to have meant a mouth full of metal! Nowadays, no matter what kind of restoration you need, it will look just like a natural tooth!

There are a few tooth-colored restorations that Dr. Patrick Morrissey may use to help you have healthy, beautiful teeth. These are: fillings, bondings, veneers, and crowns.

What are fillings?

Dr. Morrissey will use a filling if you have a cavity in your tooth, or he may use a filling to repair a cracked or broken tooth, or a tooth that has been worn down.

Many people may remember getting a metal filling back in their childhood. Gold and amalgam fillings are still used because they are strong and durable.

However, tooth-colored fillings, which are made out of composite resin, are very durable as well. And, these types of fillings don’t conduct heat and cold like gold and amalgam fillings do, which makes it much easier to enjoy cold treats like ice cream. Amalgam fillings can also cause discoloration of gum tissue, which you don’t have to worry about with a tooth-colored filling.

What are veneers?

Veneers, which are thin shells that fit over teeth, can be used to fix many problems. They can cover teeth that are dingy and discolored, if whitening doesn’t help. They can also help teeth that are worn down, broken, or chipped. They can even help teeth that are misaligned or have gaps between them.

Veneers are made out of porcelain, and they can be color-matched to your teeth so that they look very natural. Porcelain veneers are also strong and are stain- and scratch-resistant.

What are crowns?

If you have a tooth that is damaged or has a lot of decay, you may be concerned that Dr. Morrissey will have to pull that tooth.

However, a crown may be able to save your damaged tooth. A dental crown is a cap made out of porcelain that fits over your tooth, so that your new tooth looks just like your natural teeth.

Crowns are also used for teeth that are severely worn down or misshapen. It can help to protect a tooth from further damage and return strength, function, and structure to the tooth. Putting a crown on a damaged tooth is important because it helps to ensure that the other teeth, your gums, and even your jaw bone stay healthy.

What is bonding?

Bonding agents can be used to repair a variety of problems. They can be used in cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and orthodontics.

Dr. Morrissey may use what is known as a direct composite bonding agent to repair cracks or gaps in teeth. This can also be used to lengthen teeth or shape them, which can sometimes be necessary before a crown is placed.

Bonding material is easy to sculpt, and it can easily be made to look similar to the color of your other teeth.

Tooth-colored restorations don’t just make your smile look natural and beautiful, they also help repair damaged teeth, and prevent teeth from even more damage that can be painful and expensive. If teeth are left with cavities, cracks or other damage, eventually this can lead to extraction.

If you have a damaged tooth, talk to Dr. Morrissey about the option of tooth-colored restorations.

Call Boones Ferry Dental in Lake Oswego, OR, today at (503) 699-6699!