Direct tooth restorations are those that can be done duringa single visit to the dentist’s office. The most common direct dental restoration are fillings for cavities. The right filling for the patient will be determined by the patient’s preferences and the location of the cavity. This procedure is very simple and helps resolve the dental problem instantaneously.

Filling materials include gold, porcelain, silver amalgam, tooth-coloured cement or composite resin.

Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. An implant has 2 parts: A metal anchor and a false tooth, similar to a crown. A dental implant looks and feels like a natural tooth.

1. The metal anchor is inserted into the jawbone.



2. After the anchor has been inserted, a false tooth is put into place.

A crown is a tooth-shaped cap that is placed over a tooth. It is used to strengthen and protect your tooth structure. Your dentist prepares the tooth, takes an impression and the crown is made in a lab by a specialist.

1. A crown is ideal for people with extensive loss of tooth structure.
2. The crown is cemented into place over the damaged tooth.

A dental bridge "bridges" the gap where there are missing teeth.

A bridge has a crown on each end as an anchor with an artificial tooth or teeth connecting the crowns and filling the space. A bridge can keep your other teeth from moving out of place. Once a bridge is placed, it works just like your natural teeth.

Dental veneers are thin, tooth-coloured shells that are attached to the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. They are often made from porcelain or resin-composite materials and are permanently bonded to your teeth. Veneers can be used to treat a number of different cosmetic concerns, including chipped, broken, discoloured, or smaller-than-average teeth.

Inlays are molded and fitted into the chewing surface of a tooth that has been damaged through decay or injury. They are created using an imprint of the affected areas that are sent to a lab for manufacturing. An inlay will fit perfectly into the hollow of the tooth, but they do not affect the cusps. When the dentist takes the impression, they also attempt to match the colour of the tooth as closely as possible. This way when they are placed in the mouth, they are not noticeable. The material used for an inlay can be either porcelain or a composite material that is stronger and more durable than traditional fillings.

Onlays are used for decay and damage to the cusps of a tooth as well as the biting surface.Onlays restore the strength of the tooth along with protecting the decaying area. They are also called “partial crowns” because they serve a similar function but they only cover a portion of the tooth, as opposed to the entire thing.