We return you your smile back again

Up until a few years ago, damaged teeth were reconstructed with silver amalgam (metal fillings). When employed correctly, this type of restoration tended to last many years, as they are very resistant and the products from the corrosion of the metals they are made of are toxic to bacteria. So it is difficult for new caries to develop around them.

However, there were some notable inconveniences:

1. They are metal and therefore transmit temperature too well. In big reconstructions it was common to notice sensitivity for a few weeks when imbibing hot or cold foods.
2. They do not stick to the tooth and therefore neither reinforce it nor do they seal the junction between filling and tooth. (The sole way of achieving this union with the tooth is via the combination of fresh adhesives. This was published by us and warranted the REOE award in 1.991).
3. They are anti-aesthetic
4. When of considerable size, the restorations undergo expansion and contraction with differences in temperature and often produce, over years, fissures and fractures in molars.

A few years back white fillings appeared. Very aesthetic, but very short-lasting to begin with. Over the years the materials and techniques have evolved until reaching where they are today.

Under our criteria, the best combination of materials for composite restorations are:

1. First we correctly isolate the tooth from the humidity of the mouth.
2. After cleaning and disinfecting the damaged dental tissue the surface of the cavity is treated with a liquid which creates micro-irregularities.
3. An adhesive is applied in layers which achieves an extraordinary union to the tooth and will permit an effective sealing of the interface.
4. A fine layer of a material that has a certain elasticity which compensates for the differences between the contraction and expansion of the materials is applied over the whole surface. It also contains fluoride and reinforces the tooth at the exact juncture point with the filling. It also secures the sealing.
5. Various layers of composite highly resistant to fracture and low contraction are applied incrementally. A material which will strengthen the whole restoration.
6. The whole exterior area is covered in a composite of very fine particles, which will provide resistance against deterioration, maximum aesthetics, and a very good polish will also be administered for the comfort of the patient and to avoid the accumulation of bacterial plaque in the surrounding area.
7. A meticulous polish.

All the layers are strongly joined together, returning to the tooth a great part of its original structural strength.

When the destruction of the tooth is so large that it has been truly debilitated, it will be necessary to reinforce it with a ceramic filling or a crown.

The precision of the fit of the prosthesis is essential to ensure it lasts for many years.

The materials with which tooth moulds are made are so precise that they would be able to reproduce the thickness of a line written in pen on a piece of paper.

When teeth are missing, the first option is to replace them with implants, which have many advantages over the other potential solutions (access to Implantology section).

As an alternative, fixed prostheses may be created which substitute the missing teeth by resting on the healthy teeth that remain in the mouth or removable prostheses may be used; cheaper but less comfortable.

Recently, new materials have been developed for the confection of these prostheses on the basis of nylon rather than resin or metal as had been the case until now. These new prostheses are very slim, practically unbreakable, absolutely antiallergenic and are also quite elastic.

Let the dentist study your case and he/she will advise you of the best solution for you.