Restorative Dentistry in Ashburton

Our philosophy

Restorative dentistry covers everything from a small filling to rebuilding a whole mouth. Our principle throughout is to preserve as much natural tooth as possible: a filling before an onlay, an onlay before a crown, and a crown before extraction.

The cheapest treatment today isn’t always the cheapest over ten years. We’ll set out both perspectives so you can make an informed choice.

What’s involved

Choosing the right repair

We look at how much damage there is, how much healthy tooth is left, where the tooth sits in your bite, and how long you need the repair to last. Then we show you the options on photos or X-rays, with costs, before anything starts.

For a missing tooth, the choices are a bridge, an implant or a denture. For a tooth with an infected nerve, root canal treatment can often save it.

Restorative options at a glance

• Fillings: small to medium cavities. Usually one visit.
• Inlays and onlays: larger damage on back teeth, where a filling may not be strong enough. Usually two visits.
• Crowns: cover the whole tooth when it is badly broken, cracked or root-treated. Usually two visits.
• Root canal treatment: treats an infected or inflamed nerve so the tooth can often be kept.
• Bridges: replace a missing tooth by attaching to the teeth either side.
• Implants: replace a missing tooth with a post in the jaw bone.
• Dentures: removable replacement for one, several or all teeth.

Repairing a tooth or replacing it

If enough sound tooth and root remain, repairing it is usually the first choice. Your own root keeps the bone around it healthy. If a tooth is cracked into the root or too damaged to seal, removing it and replacing it may be more reliable.

Planning a larger course of treatment

When several teeth need work, we sort the plan in order:

• Pain, infection and broken teeth first.
• Active decay and gum disease next, so new work sits on a healthy base.
• Crowns, bridges or implants once the mouth is stable.

You get a written plan with item numbers so you can check your cover. Some complex cases may need a referral to another practitioner. If so, we will tell you.

Helping your repairs last

New decay often starts at the edges of a restoration. Daily cleaning between teeth and regular check-ups and cleans help. Grinding is another common cause of chips and cracks. A night splint may protect your teeth and the work done on them.

More questions about restorative dentistry

How long do the different repairs last?

It varies a lot from person to person. As a rough guide, fillings tend to need replacing sooner than inlays, onlays or crowns. Bite, grinding, diet, gum health and home care all play a part. Your dentist can give a better idea for your tooth after checking it.

Is a bridge or an implant better for a missing tooth?

Neither suits everyone. A bridge is usually quicker but relies on the teeth either side, which are shaped to hold it. An implant leaves those teeth alone but needs enough bone and takes several months. Your dentist will go through both, plus a denture, for your situation.

Can I replace old fillings or crowns just for looks?

You can, but it is worth talking it through first. Replacing a sound restoration removes a little more tooth each time. If an old filling or crown is leaking, cracked or has decay under it, replacing it makes sense for health as well as appearance.