RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

Restorative dentistry is the act of filling and or repairing teeth. There are three main components of a tooth: the enamel, dentin and pulp. When a cavity first forms in the enamel it sometimes can be treated conservatively with remineralization. However, once into the softer dentin structure a filling is needed to repair the damage. Fillings can be either tooth coloured dental composite or with silver coloured dental amalgam. If left too long a cavity continues to grow and can affect the pulp or “nerve”. At this stage, more extensive treatment is often required to save the tooth. The sooner treatment is rendered the better the outcome.