Direct vs Indirect Dental Restoration

Did you know that there is more than one type of dental restoration? With advanced dental technology there is now multiple types of dental restorations. The two main types of dental restorations are direct and indirect.

Whether you need a direct or indirect dental restoration depends on the extent and nature of your tooth issue.

Direct Dental Restorations

Direct tooth restorations are those that can be done in one procedure in one dentist office visit. The most common direct dental restoration are fillings for cavities. The right filling for the patient will be determined by the patient’s preferences, and the location of the cavity. Direct dental restoration procedures are more simple and basic in nature and can start treating the dental issue immediately.

Indirect Dental Restorations

Indirect dental restorations require multiple, more complex procedures to treat a dental issue. Indirect dental restorations, therefore, typically require multiple visits to the dental office. Common indirect dental restorations include crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, inlays and onlays.

Indirect dental restorations include parts that are fabricated by a dental lab. The dental lab can either be in-house at the dental office or it can be offsite. It is the making of the needed restoration that entails multiple visits to the dental office.

While the patient waits for their dental restoration to be made, the dentist will insert a temporary restoration in order to prevent additional damage or dental issues.

Once the patient’s dental restoration arrives in the office, the dentist will cement the restoration in place using a specialized dental bonding paste.

With the advent of improved dental technology, such as the use of CAD and CERC machines and 3-D imaging, some indirect dental restorations can now be done in the dental office in one visit.

Which One Will I Need?

Both types of dental restorations provide necessary, needed treatment for dental issues. Direct dental restorations are typically used when the patient’s tooth (or teeth) are intact and are healthy enough to remain. In direct dental restorations, some part of the tooth may need to be scrapped off to make room for a filling.

Indirect dental procedures are often necessary for patients with more extensive damage and tooth decay that often results in lost teeth. Indirect dental procedures involve applying are man-made dental substitutes to replace missing teeth or damaged parts of teeth.

Sometimes a patient will require both direct and indirect dental restorations to be done.

Good, strong, personal dental hygiene and bi-annual dental cleanings and exams can greatly lessen a patient’s need for any type of dental restorations.

If you haven’t been to your dentist lately, be sure to make an appointment today. Early detection is key in lessening your risk of needing a dental restoration or escalating your condition to need an indirect dental restoration.

For patients that need indirect dental restorations, be sure to ask your dentist about their dental lab. Arrowhead Dental Lab has been providing various indirect dental restorations to dentists for many years and has an impeccable reputation for training exceptional dental lab technicians.