Conservative and
Restorative Dentistry
What is Conservative and Restorative Dentistry?
Conservative and Restorative Dentistry is the method used for dental caries that occur in the hard structure of the tooth. It is known that if the tooth filling process is applied correctly, it consists of several different stages that are easy and short-term.
Dentists begin the process by cleaning the deformed and decayed tooth tissue in the conservative part of the treatment process. Then the remaining healthy parts of the tooth come to the fore and this part is preserved and the tooth tissue is repaired. In some cases, conservative and restorative dental treatment cannot be performed because the repair cannot be performed and tooth extraction is preferred.
However, one of the most basic and successful dental treatment methods generally used is known as dental filling. Instead of losing as much of the tooth as possible; The dental filling method, in which the healthy tissue is preserved, should be preferred.
Teeth can be eroded or damaged over time for various reasons. To prevent this, regular physician control is very important.
What are the Advantages of Ceramic Fillings?
The treatment method, which is called ceramic or porcelain filling and known as one of the current filling types, is a matter of curiosity. Today, ceramics can be used as a filling material, especially as a result of dental caries and, if necessary, canal treatment.
It is a type of filling that is a part of the treatment process and aims to restore the missing part of the tooth. The biggest advantage of ceramic fillings when applying conservative and restorative dental treatment is that they can be preferred if there is not enough tooth structure to support other composite and similar fillings.
Therefore, if there is insufficient healthy tooth tissue; Ceramic fillings are used to ensure the connection of the tooth with the adjacent tooth and for comfortable use.
Another important feature of this type of filling is the prevention of inconveniences such as the accumulation of nutrients between the teeth, as a connection is established with other teeth. Therefore, in cases where tooth tissue loss is high and the tooth is not desired to be lost, ceramic filling can be applied.
How is Ceramic Filling Made?
Ceramic filling type can be applied to a part of the tooth; It can also be applied in the wider tooth area. These fillings are prepared in a laboratory environment. While preparing the fillings based on the mouth and tooth structure of the person, it is aimed to ensure the best possible connections with the neighboring teeth. In this way, no food residue accumulation occurs between the teeth.
In addition, it is ensured that the chewing surface can be used healthily and comfortably. In the ceramic filling, which provides both long-term use and an aesthetic structure, it is primarily concerned to determine the jaw and tooth structure of the person. Then, the missing areas on the tooth are completed with fine details. Ceramic filling types constitute one of the most preferred methods of conservative and restorative dental treatment processes.
What are the Disadvantages of Ceramic Fillings?
It is known that ceramic filling types can be durable for long periods and provide an aesthetic appearance. Although it is useful in this respect, the disadvantages of ceramic fillings are also wondered.
The main disadvantage of this type of filling is that it is more costly than other methods such as composite filling. Ceramic fillings, which are created by going through a sensitive working process and imitating the person's mouth structure in the most appropriate way, are more expensive than other methods.
It can be stated that ceramic fillings are costly, especially since they aim to achieve a superior aesthetic appearance and are one of the most popular dental treatment methods in recent times.
It is one of the preferred methods for solving problems that occur in the teeth due to factors such as dental caries, trauma or root canal treatment. Ceramic fillings, whose main disadvantage is cost, are among the most used techniques in conservative and restorative dental treatments.
What Is Tooth Decay and How Does It Occur?
Tooth decay is basically the result of bacterial plaques formed by bacteria in the mouth. Acid may arise from the residues of floury and sugary foods, especially in the mouth. These acids erode the natural mineral tissue of the tooth structure and cause the deterioration of tooth enamel. This process brings with it the stages of the onset of dental caries and the formation of cavities called cavities.
First of all, caries that start on the outer surface can progress and spread to other teeth as long as the right treatments are not applied. For this reason, dental caries should be considered and treated as soon as possible. Conservative and restorative dental treatment stages are among the most important methods of decayed tooth treatment.
How Does Tooth Decay Progress and What Are Its Symptoms?
Dental caries can be detected by the presence of cavities or holes that can be seen directly. However, there are various ways of understanding other than this symptom. For example, toothaches that occur for no apparent reason, and the tooth has a more sensitive structure than normal. Likewise, the presence of sharp or mild pain in the tooth while consuming cold or hot drinks should be considered.
Tooth decay has a structure that starts in a small area and progresses, if not treated, due to the bacterial density in the area. Therefore, paying attention to caries in one tooth is necessary for the protection of other teeth. Tooth decay symptoms stand out as important elements for conservative and restorative dental treatments.
What Should One Do to Prevent Tooth Decay?
First of all, taking care of the teeth and gingival area is the best method to prevent cavities that may occur later. First of all, it is necessary to apply the right care to the teeth in order to avoid any problems. In case of any discomfort, it is important to consult a dentist without waiting.
Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the most important elements. In addition, rinsing the mouth after any food consumption is one of the practices that can be done to prevent food residues from forming. To protect teeth; It is also important to see a dentist every 6 months without the need for conservative and restorative dental treatments.
How Is Tooth Decay Treated?
Dental caries are prominent as diseases that need to be treated. One of the most common methods of treatment is dental filling. With dental filling, it is aimed to protect the healthy structure of the tooth. In advanced dental caries, where the healthy tissue is too little and cannot be preserved, the tooth can be extracted.
Today, many dental treatment methods can prevent these problems. It is known that fillings, which are one of the most up-to-date and useful treatment methods of dental caries, have a wide variety. Composite and amalgam fillings, especially ceramic fillings, can be listed among the most preferred types.
Should Broken, Worn, or Discolored Edge Fillings Be Replaced?
Fillings that are damaged, broken or discolored in any way should be replaced. The reason for this is the possibility that the caries may reoccur under the filling area that has now become insufficient. Bacteria formation from the edge of the fracture will be more.
There is also the same risk around the colored filling. Therefore, the repair or renewal of the filling is very important in terms of protecting the tooth. Care and renewal processes should also be considered as a part of conservative and restorative dental treatment practices.
Should Amalgam Fillings (Silver Fillings) Be Replaced With Composite Fillings (White Fillings)?
Today, as the current type of filling, ceramic and composite-like fillings that complement the tooth structure are preferred. However, amalgam fillings can also be counted as one of the methods used. At this stage, it is recommended not to replace amalgam fillings if there is no caries formation or if there is no complaint on the fracture or similar filling.
Especially if amalgam fillings made in a large area instead of a small area do not cause any discomfort, it may be possible to continue using it. However, if there is an aesthetic complaint due to the color difference, it is possible to replace it with composite fillings. Composite fillings are created much more robustly than before and can be easily used in every part of the tooth.
Are Amalgam Fillings Harmful?
Amalgam fillings are a controversial type of filling because they contain mercury. There are basically two different views in the literature. On the one hand, it is claimed that it is harmful, on the other hand, it is claimed that the mercury contained in it is much less than the mercury that is taken into our body with seafood.
For this reason, certain references are offered by the World Dental Association. At the same time, a statement on the subject was made by the Turkish Dental Association.
You can easily access these explanations online.
It is possible to access a. Amalgam fillings have left their usage density to composite fillings due to the color difference and these discussions.
Composite fillings can be easily preferred because they are produced in a much more useful and durable way than before. Especially the most used filling types of conservative and restorative dental treatment processes; types such as composite, ceramic and amalgam fillings.