Did you know that tooth enamel is the toughest substance in the human body? Tooth enamel is designed to be strong enough to survive a lifetime of wear and tear. But as we age, our teeth can become damaged from trauma or tooth decay. Thankfully, your Lake Orion cosmetic dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, offers both direct and indirect methods of repairing your teeth. In today’s blog, Dr. Greenfield explains the difference between the direct and indirect dental restorations.
Direct vs. Indirect
With a direct restoration, Dr. Greenfield prepares a tooth and uses a filling to repair a cavity. The entire process is completed in one visit. Indirect restorations involve more extensive measures to repair or even replace a damaged tooth. Typically, indirect restorations include dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and inlays and onlays. In most cases, these procedures take two visits to complete. During the initial visit, Dr. Greenfield prepares the tooth and takes an impression. Using this impression, a custom-made restoration is fabricated. Dr. Greenfield places your new restoration during the second visit. In the time between visits, Dr. Greenfield may place a temporary restoration.
Metal-Free Restorations
At Lake Orion Family Dentistry, Dr. Greenfield offers our patients metal-free restorations that use biocompatible materials. For example, instead of metal fillings we offer tooth-colored fillings. These fillings contain no mercury, and are made from a composite resin. Tooth-colored fillings blend seamlessly with your natural teeth. Dr. Greenfield also provides patients with innovative CEREC crowns. Made of durable ceramic materials, CEREC crowns can be created and placed during a single visit. Patients receive long lasting, natural looking dental restorations without the inconvenience of multiple office visits. In some cases, Dr. Greenfield may recommend porcelain veneers. To instantly brighten smiles and repair damage from cracks or chips, Dr. Greenfield places thin shells of special dental porcelain on the front teeth. Porcelain veneers are stain resistant, and with proper care, can last for decades.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Lake Orion Cosmetic Dentist
Interested in repairing your smile with our quality dental restorations? Make an appointment with cosmetic dentist Dr. Greenfield to see which of our methods of dental restoration are right for you. Contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry today at 248-693-6213 to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve families from Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, and Rochester Hills, as well as many other areas in southeast Michigan.
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