Dental fillings are used to repair damage to the structure of a tooth or teeth. Structural damage can be caused as a result of tooth decay, wear or trauma. After the removal of a problematic tooth structure, the tooth is restored with one of several filling materials: gold, amalgam, composite resin (white filling material) or porcelain. Each filling material has its advantages and disadvantages. Your dentist will work with you to determine which material is appropriate for you.

A composite filling is a tooth-colored resin and glass mixture used to restore decayed teeth. Composites are also used for cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth or reshaping disfigured teeth.

When are White Fillings Applied?

If you have to get a filling, you and your dentist have lots of materials to choose from. In many cases, when teeth are decayed or broken, a dentist will use fillings to replace the tooth mass lost. Depending on the material used, traditional fillings are usually dark or silver in color. Although they can help prevent further decay and can make the tooth stronger, they can look unsightly in your mouth and their color affects your smile. When you smile or laugh, the dark fillings may be visible, making you feel self-conscious. White fillings are a great alternative. These fillings are made with a tooth-colored resin material or porcelain that is attached
to the tooth. These white fillings are invisible, so that your teeth look naturally perfect. With white fillings, no one has to know you even have fillings.

Bonding is the term used to describe the process of using composite resins to "glue" materials to the surface of a tooth for restorative purposes. Chipped or cracked teeth are typically repaired through bonding. An enamel-like composite material is applied to the surface of a tooth, sculpted into shape, contoured and polished, making the crack or chip invisible.

Misaligned teeth and malocclusions can be straightened and corrected with dental braces and retainers. Orthodontics is both a functional and cosmetic treatment, and has become an increasingly popular field of dentistry.

Having a beautiful smile depends on many factors. One of them is having bright and white teeth. Having bright and whiter teeth gives people self confidence in their everyday living when dealing with loved ones, colleagues and at work. Teeth whitening and bleaching as a solution can provide the self confidence as you desired.

Some Teeth whitening and Bleaching Techniques:

Both take home and in-office teeth whitening and bleaching options use peroxide-based bleaching agents. At-home systems contain from 3% to 20% peroxide (carbamide or hydrogen peroxides). In-office systems contain from 15% to 43% peroxide. Generally, the longer you keep a stronger solution on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become. However, the higher the concentration of peroxide in the whitening solution, the shorter it should be applied to the teeth. Keeping the gel on longer will dehydrate the tooth and increase tooth sensitivity. There are pros and cons to each option, but before you try at-home teeth whitening and bleaching kits, be sure to talk to your dentist. Not everyone will see good results. Bleaching will not whiten porcelain crowns or composite tooth-colored bonding.

 Dental crowns can repair extensively decayed or damaged teeth. Dental crowns can be made of gold metals, silver metals, porcelain or a combination of porcelain and metal. Some dentists use CAD/CAM technology for the fabrication of dental crowns. In some cases, conservative dental veneers may replace the need for a dental crown. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, pediatric dentists and cosmetic dentists may perform the crown procedure; however, expertise varies among dentists.

Dental bridges replace missing teeth with artificial replacements (pontic). The pontic is held in place by composite materials that are anchored to surrounding teeth. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists and cosmetic dentists may perform bridge procedures. Availability of the latest materials, technology and expertise varies among dentists.

Dentures are used to replace missing teeth or damaged teeth that cannot be otherwise repaired. General dentists, family dentists, prosthodontists, and cosmetic dentists may perform the procedure. However, availability of the latest material, technology and expertise varies among dentists.

Oral and maxillofacial procedures range from the less invasive treatment of abnormalities of the mouth, jaw and face – including accompanying structures such as the teeth – to major oral surgeries. Dental implants, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) procedures, reconstructive surgery and cleft lip and palate procedures also fall under the oral and maxillofacial category.