Restorative Dentistry

Restorative dentistry encompasses all procedures that repair, rebuild, or replace damaged or missing teeth to restore full function and aesthetics. At House of Aesthetics, our restorative services include composite and amalgam fillings, porcelain and metal-ceramic crowns, root canal treatment, dental bridges, and full mouth rehabilitation for patients with extensive dental damage or wear.

A filling is appropriate when tooth decay or damage affects less than approximately one-third of the tooth's surface. When damage is more extensive — affecting a large portion of the tooth structure, after root canal treatment, or where a tooth is cracked — a crown (cap) is needed to protect and restore the tooth's full strength and shape. Your dentist will take an X-ray and clinically assess the damage to recommend the most appropriate restoration.

Root canal treatment has an undeserved reputation for being painful. Modern root canal therapy, performed under adequate local anaesthesia, is typically no more uncomfortable than having a filling. The tooth is numbed completely before treatment begins. Any pre-existing toothache from infection is usually the source of pain — the root canal treatment actually relieves this pain by removing the infected tissue. Post-procedure soreness for 2–3 days is managed with over-the-counter pain relief.

Porcelain and metal-ceramic crowns typically last 10–15 years with good oral hygiene and care. All-ceramic (E-max or zirconia) crowns can last 15–20 years. Longevity depends on the patient's bite forces, oral hygiene, and whether they grind their teeth. Patients who grind heavily are advised to wear a nightguard to protect crowns from premature wear.

Modern composite (tooth-coloured) resin fillings typically last 5–10 years in posterior teeth (back teeth, where bite forces are greatest) and 7–10+ years in anterior teeth (front teeth). Regular dental check-ups allow early detection of any deterioration. Replacing a failing filling before it fails completely is always more cost-effective than waiting for the tooth to crack or decay further.

Full mouth rehabilitation (also called full mouth reconstruction) is a comprehensive treatment plan for patients with extensive dental damage — from severe erosion, multiple decayed teeth, failed old restorations, or significant bite problems. It combines multiple restorative and cosmetic procedures performed in a planned sequence to restore complete oral health, function, and aesthetics. It is designed for patients whose dental needs go beyond what a single restoration can address.

Dental restorations are cared for exactly like natural teeth — brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and attend 6-monthly dental check-ups. Avoid biting on very hard objects (ice, bones, bottle caps) which can crack crowns and fillings. If you grind your teeth, wear a nightguard to protect restorations. Report any change in bite, sensitivity, or cracking sounds to your dentist promptly.

Do not wait on a toothache — it rarely resolves on its own and usually indicates a problem that will worsen over time. Seek dental attention if you experience pain that lasts more than a day or two, pain that wakes you at night, sensitivity to hot or cold that lingers more than a few seconds, swelling around a tooth or gum, or a visible chip, crack, or cavity. Early treatment is always simpler, less invasive, and less expensive than treating an advanced problem.