Restorative Dentistry Pittsburgh

At the Center for Dental Excellence in Pittsburgh, we offer a number of restorative dentistry treatments, including implant reconstructions. Working with a qualified surgeon, we can provide you with a long-term solution to damaged or missing teeth, and restore the functionality and appearance of your smile. Dental implants are the most effective and durable treatment for dental gaps. Acting as artificial tooth roots, these titanium posts provide support for the jaw, prevent the shifting of surrounding teeth, and can be paired with a number of dental implant restorations. If you are missing one or more teeth or have a severely damaged or decayed tooth that requires extraction, this restorative dentistry treatment may be for you. Learn more about dental implant restorations.

Dental fillings can be used to treat cavities, as well as minor chips and cracks, and are among the most common restorative dentistry treatment options. Though fillings come in a variety of materials, including gold, the vast majority of our patients opt for tooth-colored fillings, as they offer a number of advantages over traditional silver amalgam fillings. Perhaps the most obvious advantage is that composite fillings are inconspicuous. The color of the composite material allows them to blend in seamlessly with surrounding teeth, making them cosmetically attractive. There are practical benefits as well; silver amalgam fillings can expand and contract over time, resulting in loose fillings, and the placement of amalgam fillings requires a greater amount of dental material be removed. Tooth-colored fillings are durable and effective, and the composite chemically bonds to the tooth, resulting in a secure restoration.

Minor chips or cracks, tooth decay, and discoloration, as well as slight irregularities in the shape of a tooth, can all be corrected with dental bonding. We utilize this restorative dentistry treatment at our Pittsburgh area practice because it is quick, effective, non-invasive, and affordable. For the treatment of relatively minor dental flaws, dental bonding is, in most cases, simply the best option.
The dental bonding procedure involves the placement of dental composite onto the tooth to fill in gaps or mask minor flaws. To help ensure the dental cement properly bonds, the affected tooth will first be prepared with a conditioning liquid which will provide a suitable bonding surface. Once the bonding element has been placed, it is shaped and hardened with a proprietary dental lamp. After the material has cured, it will be further shaped and polished so that it blends in seamlessly with your smile.

Teeth that are severely damaged, decayed, or malformed can be capped with dental crowns. These dental prosthetics are made from porcelain, providing them with a natural appearance, and are placed entirely over affected teeth, encapsulating them fully. This both restores the functionality and appearance of the damaged tooth, and prevents further damage or decay from occurring, preventing the need for an extraction or other procedure in the future. To place dental crowns, a small amount of dental material will be removed from the damaged or decayed tooth both to make room for the dental prosthetic and to remove any weakened or damaged tooth material. Once the tooth has been reshaped, the crown will be bonded into place with dental cement.