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Restorative dental procedures improve the function and appearance of teeth. Dr. Peter Brusco, your Kinnelon, NJ family dentist, restorative dentistrydiscusses several common procedures that can help you keep your smile bright and healthy.

Fillings

Fillings restore teeth damaged by tooth decay. In addition to silver amalgam fillings, tooth-colored composite resin fillings are also available. These durable fillings are tinted to match the shade of your teeth, making it impossible for anyone to tell that you have a filling.

Composite bonding

Composite bonding is one of the most inexpensive, yet effective, ways to repair teeth or change their appearance. It's often used to repair chips or gaps, lengthen teeth, cover discolorations or change the appearance of oddly shaped teeth. Although the composite resin used in the bonding process is soft when it's applied, it becomes as hard as your natural tooth enamel when it's exposed to a curing light.

Crowns and Bridges

Crowns help protect damaged or weak teeth, but also improve the appearance of your smile. They're often used to restore broken teeth or stabilize teeth weakened by cracks, large fillings or root canal therapy. Because crowns cover your teeth on all four sides, they not only provide excellent protection, but also cover discolorations and other imperfections. They're a good choice to lengthen short teeth or completely change the appearance of a tooth that doesn't fit in with the rest of your smile.

If you've lost a tooth or two, your Kinnelon dentist may recommend filling the gap with a bridge. Bridges consist of one or more artificial teeth anchored on either side by a crown.

Dental implants

Implants are another popular tooth replacement option. During a minor surgical procedure, your implant will be placed in an opening in your jawbone. A crown added to the top of the implant replaces the visible part of your tooth. Over the course of a few months, your implant bonds to your jawbone, providing a permanent replacement for your lost tooth roots.

Veneers

They're no thicker than a fingernail, yet custom-made porcelain veneers provide excellent coverage for minor dental flaws, such as chips, cracks and discolorations. They can also be used to cover slight gaps between teeth or whiten your entire smile. Veneers are bonded to the fronts of your teeth only.

Could you benefit from a restorative procedure? Call Dr. Brusco, your Kinnelon, NJ family dentist, at (973) 838-5862 to schedule your appointment.