Ultimate Dental Fillings in Timonium, MD
When bad dentistry happens to good people it is most obvious on the front teeth. If you need dental fillings, we work to provide you with dentistry that is undetectable, enhancing both your appearance and self-confidence.
Bonded ceramic, resin or processed composite inlays, onlays, and teeth crowns are the longest-lasting and strongest dental restorations with a lifetime potential. They are made of beautiful materials that can outlast any other restoration available today.
Essentially, these are dental fillings that are the “ultimate filling.”
Beautiful, Long-Lasting Restorations
Inlays
When there is only partial damage to your tooth, an inlay can be bonded inside the remaining structure to restore strength that is equal to or greater than that of a dental crown or of the original tooth.
In the past, gold was the material of choice for the finest of all dental restorations. Although this is available, most of our clients prefer the more natural look of ultimate dental fillings.
Onlays
Onlays restore a portion of the biting cusp of a tooth. They can also restore structural integrity. In most traditional dental offices, a dental crown or “cap” would be done, needlessly sacrificing healthy tooth structure.
Onlays are sometimes referred to as “inside crowns.” This is a good way to think of it as it implies strength and conserves the better parts of the damaged tooth. We prefer to do onlays where possible because they are conservative compared to traditional dental crowns and equally as strong.
Research has shown that the less you reduce a tooth the longer it will survive. Most of our bonded ceramic dental inlays and onlays are tooth colored and custom fabricated in our lab. Your Timonium dentist Dr. Haywood has four small onlays himself!
Teeth Crowns and Bridges
We specialize in all ceramic and tooth-colored alternatives for these very familiar procedures. The creation of a dental bridge or dental crown using computer-aided manufacturing and space-age materials has been revolutionary, and we are leading the way in our Towson–Pikesville area practice!
Bridges are less frequently used to replace teeth, as dental implants are the better alternative in most cases. Dental crowns are only needed when the tooth has been completely damaged. Other more conservative approaches, such as dental fillings, are our first recommendation.
Both teeth crowns and traditional dental bridges are viable solutions for the restoration of teeth damaged by decay, disease, wear and tear, or physical injury. In most cases, our teeth crowns and bridgework contain high-grade porcelain, or porcelain fused to zirconia or gold.
Working with the highest possible grade of materials is ideal for the restoration of full strength and function. Either treatment can be used for the long-term repair of teeth that have been extensively damaged or lost.
We meet many people who experience discomfort in teeth that contain dental fillings, typically a result of tiny cracks that have developed on the chewing surface. In covering the affected tooth with dental crowns, pain is relieved and full function restored.
Dental fillings placed in the front teeth may eventually cause weakening or aesthetic issues such as chipping or stains. When porcelain veneers are not a suitable solution to such a problem, a crown or bridge may work beautifully. Dental crowns are also ideal for placement over root canal fillings.
How Are Ultimate Dental Fillings Applied?
Inlays, onlays, and dental crowns are completed in two visits to our Timonium, MD, area practice.
The first visit consists of removing all damaged structure from the tooth. If the purpose of a crown is to replace a fractured filling, the filling is removed along with any decay that may be present on the tooth.
An impression of the prepared tooth is taken. This acts as a guide in the production of a custom-fitted dental crown, inlay, or onlay. Before leaving our office, you will receive a temporary restoration that will remain until the follow-up appointment.
During the follow-up appointment, Dr. Haywood removes the temporary restoration and assesses the new restoration for ideal fit. Once approved, the inlay, crown, or onlay is bonded to the tooth and polished for a beautiful sheen.
Considerations of Ultimate Dental Fillings
Traditional dental fillings have been shown to weaken a tooth as much as 50 percent. Inlays and onlays are a great alternative to dental fillings, as these restorations consist of high-strength resin material, and they are bonded to the tooth. This bonding can increase strength of the tooth as much as 75 percent.
As a result, these restorations have been known to last as long as 30 years and longer!
Give us a call today to schedule an appointment at our Timonium dentist office if you are in the Towson–Pikesville area!