Enhance Your Smile with Dental Restorations and Impressions
Dental damage, whether a fractured tooth, decay, or tooth loss, can affect the appearance of the smile and make eating difficult. Fortunately, restorative dentistry treatments allow for the repair of dental damage and improved aesthetics. Dental impressions enable us to completely customize dental restorations, making them an important component of restorative dentistry. Cosmetic dentist Bruce Wilderman enhances patient smiles with custom-crafted dental restorations at his Philadelphia, PA practice. To find out which dental restorations can improve your smile, we invite you to schedule a consultation.
What Are Dental Impressions?
Dental impressions are used to create a mold of the teeth and soft tissues in order to capture the specific, unique oral anatomy of a patient. Dental impressions may be made from a physical material or digital scan.
When impressions are physically taken, a soft, malleable material is placed within a tray or container and placed over the teeth. The patient may be instructed to bite down, creating a precise copy of the contours of the teeth. Within a few minutes, the impression will harden and will be ready to use as a mold for the desired restoration. Physical impressions are then sent to a dental lab to craft each customized dental restoration.
Some dental practices use digital impressions to capture the size, shape, and position of the teeth. Digital dental impressions may be taken using different types of optical scanners, either an LED system or a laser system. Digital impressions may then be sent to a lab or to an in-office milling machine for fabrication of the restoration. Regardless of the technique used, dental impressions help ensure a proper fit and appearance for a variety of dental restorations.
Which Dental Restorations Require Impressions?
There are a variety of dental restorations available to repair dental damage, improve aesthetics, and replace missing teeth. Most of these dental restorations are crafted from impressions to ensure a natural look and feel. Some of the most popular restorations made from impressions include:
- Dental crowns
- Inlays
- Onlays
- Porcelain veneers
- Dentures
- Dental bridges
Candidates for Dental Restorations
Many people who suffer from dental damage, tooth loss, and cosmetic dental flaws make excellent candidates for dental restorations. Because there are many different types of restorations available, most people will qualify for some form of restorative treatment. Ideal candidates should have relatively healthy gums and teeth and experience such dental issues as:
- Missing one or all of their teeth
- Minor to severe tooth decay
- Dental chips or fractures
- Large fillings
- Misshaped teeth or other cosmetic flaws
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Wilderman
Dental impressions and restorations can help improve the overall look and function of the smile, improving your confidence and quality of life. Dr. Wilderman can help determine the right treatment for your needs. For more information about dental restorations, or to find out which treatments are right for you, we welcome you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Wilderman today.