Tooth-Colored Fillings
- To treat a cavity. The decayed portion of the tooth is removed and replaced with a restorative material (composite), commonly called a filling.
- They “fill in” a portion of the tooth.
Crowns
- Covers and supports the tooth. Commonly called a “cap.”
- Crowns are recommended when there is not enough tooth structure, after decay removal or fracture of the tooth, to support a filling. They are stronger and provide greater support to the tooth when compared to a large filling.
- Crowns can also change the shape and esthetics of a tooth.
Inlays/Onlays
- Repairs damage to the tooth’s biting surface. They are made of porcelain, gold, or composite resin.
- An inlay is similar to a filling and is custom-made to fit within the cusps of the tooth.
- An onlay is larger than an inlay and is used when replacement of one or more cusps of the tooth is necessary. An onlay is similar to a crown, with the exception that more tooth structure is often preserved.
Root canal therapy
- Treatment to repair and save a badly decayed and/or infected tooth.
- It involves removing the pulp (nerve) of the tooth, cleaning the inside (the root canals), and sealing.
- If root canal therapy is not done, the surrounding tissue may become infected and an abscess may form. There is also the risk of losing the tooth.
