Restorative Dentistry

Restoring Teeth at Honeygo Village Dentistry

Restorative dentistry includes repairing damaged or decayed teeth with fillings, most often using composite filling material.

The first step in restoring damaged or decayed teeth is to make sure thepatient is comfortable.  If painmanagement is needed, administration of local anesthetic can be given.  Decay isthen removed with the use of rotary instruments and/or air abrasion. The cavity is prepared for the filling to be placed. 

When doing a composite filling, an acid-etchant will be placed on the prepped cavityarea.  This product will help bond the filling material to the tooth. The tooth is then washed anddried thoroughly.  A layer of adhesive isplaced into the prepped area and then cured with a bright curing light.  The cavity is now ready for the compositefilling material.  Small amounts ofcomposite will be added to the cavity, smoothed, then light-cured.  This step will be continued until the cavityis filled.

The dentist will then smooth the restoration with rotaryinstruments and (if needed) use articulating (carbon) paper to check for properocclusion.  Any high areas of therestoration can then be adjusted. 

Tooth decay is the leading cause of tooth loss.  The process can be haltedby removing the decay and then placing a restoration.