How Long Will My Dental Restorations Take

How Long Will My Dental Restorations Take from Mission Valley Dental Arts in San Diego, CAAny dental work that is done to repair missing or damaged teeth are types of dental restorations, which can include anything from minor fillings to full implants. How long these restorations take depends entirely on what kind of work is necessary. Some procedures can be performed in a single short appointment, while others might be a long process and require multiple appointments.

Lengths of procedures for dental restorations

Because there are so many different types of restorative dental work, it is helpful to know what common procedures are and how long each type of restoration can take. Here is a list of some of the most common dental restorations and what patients can expect from each one.

Fillings

The most common type of restoration, dentists use fillings to repair dental caries which have not progressed too far. Fillings can be made of tooth-colored composite, silver amalgam or gold. During a checkup, dentists may spot a cavity on an X-ray or a physical examination of the tooth. A follow-up appointment to fill the cavity can then be scheduled for a later date. A dentist may fill multiple cavities during this follow-up appointment. It is generally a fairly quick process that needs only the one appointment to complete.

Crowns

A step up from fillings, crowns are essentially tooth-shaped covers or caps that are placed over damaged teeth to restore their proper function and appearance. The dentist may need to reduce and shape the original tooth so that the crown fits properly. In many instances the placement of a crown can take several appointments. Molds or impressions of the tooth may need to be sent to a lab that will then fabricate the crown. After preparing the original tooth, the dentist may put on a temporary crown until the fabricated crown comes back from the lab, then during a later appointment the final crown can be cemented in place.

Bridges

Bridges can be used to fill gaps between teeth where one or more teeth are missing. It is important to fill such gaps so that the remaining teeth do not start to shift. It is also better for the oral health of the remaining teeth. Crowns on either side of the bridge can hold it in place. A bridge procedure often requires two separate appointments, one to shape the anchor teeth and one to install the bridge.

Implants

Implants are one of the more time and labor-intensive procedures from beginning to end. A hole must be drilled into the jaw bone and a metal post installed, which will become an anchor for a prosthetic tooth or teeth. While this part of the procedure may not take long, getting the implant ready to attach a prosthetic piece can take months. The dentist must ensure that the bone has grown around and fused to the post. In rare occasions the bone may reject the implant so another material needs to be used.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Restorations in San Diego, CA.

Conclusion

Dental restorations can take anywhere from an hour or two to months until the process is finished. The type of restoration and the number of issues that need to be resolved all play a role in how long the restorations take.

Request an appointment or call Mission Valley Dental Arts at 619-805-4248 for an appointment in our San Diego office.

Recent Posts

Dental Restoration Options For A Damaged Tooth

If you have an early-stage cavity or even more serious damage to your tooth, dental restoration options can help you keep your teeth strong and healthy by reinforcing the protective layer of your tooth enamel, helping it rebuild its structural strength over time. While many dental restoration options can be used in conjunction with one another,…

Who Is A Candidate For A Dental Restoration?

A dental restoration can restore, renew and even replace teeth that are in bad shape. They are often used to repair teeth that have been lost, decayed or even slightly damaged from a chip or a crown. However, with all dental restorations, comes the possibility that it may not work, which is why it is…

Dental Restoration Treatment For Tooth Decay

Dental restoration treatments can be used to repair teeth that have been damaged by tooth decay. Such treatments can also restore the look and functionality of the tooth.Tooth decay is an oral issue that most people have to deal with at some point. There are acids in some of the foods we consume, like citrus…

Recent Posts

How Your Invisalign Aligners Are Custom Fitted For You

How Your Invisalign Aligners Are Custom Fitted For You

Invisalign® is a system of transparent aligners that are custom-made to fit a person's teeth. Like braces, it corrects alignment by delivering different levels of pressure to individual teeth. Since everyone has a unique smile, you will need a custom-made pair of Invisalign clear aligners. This article provides information on how clear aligners are custom-made…

The Benefits Of Invisalign Treatment For Straightening Teeth

The Benefits Of Invisalign Treatment For Straightening Teeth

Thinking about getting Invisalign®? Read on to learn some of the benefits of choosing this teeth-straightening treatment. Most people want a beautiful smile, but many people do not want to undergo teeth-straightening treatments that involve conspicuous metal braces. Fortunately, another option called Invisalign involves wearing transparent aligner trays over time to correct tooth misalignment. A…