Restorative

Restorative dentistry is the art of restoring a single tooth back to its natural esthetics and function. At Chomiak Dental, we take pride in our artistic detail.

Teeth restoration is needed as the result of decay or the traumatic fracturing of a tooth. Our patients are provided options based on appropriate treatment for their particular situation and they choose which option is best for them. All restorative work, regardless of the type is placed meticulously with protection from sensitivity and longevity in mind.

COMPOSITE OR BONDED RESTORATIONS (White Fillings):

Composite restorations are tooth colored fillings used to repair decayed areas of teeth, fractured teeth, or simply to replace metal fillings for esthetics. They are made of a hard resin or plastic type material and have a moderate lifespan. When placed properly, composites can be very esthetic. They hold up well in small to moderate restorations, however in larger restorations they can undergo polymerization contraction after several years and stain or leak despite meticulous placement.. They must be well maintained and followed closely with frequent cleanings and exams.

Silver filling replaced with a composite filling

Broken Lateral Incisor repaired with composite bonding

Decayed Central Incisors repaired with composite bondings

PORCELAIN INLAYS AND ONLAYS:

Porcelain inlays (porcelain fillings) are a more durable esthetic means of restoring decayed or fractured back teeth than composite or amalgam. They are prefabricated porcelain made at a lab which is bonded into the defective portion of the tooth. Porcelain inlays are much more durable than composite and extremely esthetic. Porcelain onlays are similar restorations which extend to cover and protect the tooth cusps where the remaining cusps may be thin and weak.

Fractured bicuspid repaired with a porcelain onlay

Large silver filling replaced with a porcelain inlay

Silver filling replaced with a porcelain inlay

Silver filling replaced with a porcelain onlay

AMALGAM RESTORATIONS:

Amalgam or silver fillings are still available for patients looking for an economical fairly strong durable restoration for back teeth to repair areas of decay. Amalgams have very good marginal integrity over time. They have developed a bad reputation by holistic or cosmetic dentists looking to replace them with tooth colored restoration because of the small mercury content compounded into amalgams. The new compounded amalgam capsules have negligible amounts of free mercury. In healthy patients this does not pose a problem.

There are a small percentage of patients (less than 0.5%) who are deficient in the enzymes capable of removing heavy metals. These patients are advised to avoid amalgam restorations and should be tested for such deficiencies. At Chomiak Dental we are very concerned with our patient’s safety. We use rubber dams and special evacuation systems with anyone with a known enzyme deficiency when removing old amalgams to replace them with porcelain or composite restorations.

We go out of our way to make sure our amalgam restorations are as esthetic and functional as possible by restoring the normal anatomy back into the tooth. In large restorations we also use amalgabond, a metal adhesive to bond the restoration to the tooth walls for additional strength.

Natural anatomy restored in an amalgam (left)

CROWNS:

Full mouth reconstruction with porcelain crowns

A crown is a cover or “cap” your dentist can put over a tooth. The crown restores the tooth to its normal shape, size, and function. A crown can make the tooth stronger or improve the way it looks. Most crowns are now made from an extremely strong porcelain. The crowns at Chomiak Dental are made at a private ceramic lab in Pittsburgh that provides outstanding quality and esthetics as you would expect to assure your crowns are a perfect match for a natural appearance. We have an in-house porcelain lab to assure the color and characterization of your crown is a perfect when you leave to give you a beautiful smile. All crowns are tucked below the gums to provide a realistic appearance and prevent recurrent decay. All crowns at Chomiak Dental are guaranteed for life with proper hygiene maintenance.

Decayed filling restored with a porcelain crown

Right central incisor traumatically fractured repaired with a porcelain crown

Reasons you may need a crown:

You have a cavity that is too large for a filling
You have a tooth that is cracked, worn down, or otherwise weakened
You have had root canal treatment — the crown will protect the restored tooth
You want to cover a discolored or badly shaped tooth and improve your smile
You need a crown to cover an implant to replace a missing tooth

GOLD CROWNS, INLAYS AND ONLAYS:

Gold is a classic restoration used in areas where esthetics is not important, as in back teeth. Gold is one of the strongest and longest lasting restorations since its margins burnish so well and do not break down as do other restorations. Its wear factor is similar to natural enamel and make it kind to opposing teeth, particularly in people who grind or brux their teeth. It can be used in the same circumstances as porcelain for inlays, onlays or crowns.