{"id":391,"date":"2020-03-24T16:31:33","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T16:31:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalspecialists.com\/blog\/?p=391"},"modified":"2020-03-24T16:31:34","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T16:31:34","slug":"dental-restorations-and-the-difference-between-direct-and-indirect-prosthetics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalspecialists.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/24\/dental-restorations-and-the-difference-between-direct-and-indirect-prosthetics\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Difference Between Direct and Indirect Dental Restorations?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"a<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you have teeth that have been weakened as a result of\nsevere decay or damage, it is likely your dentist will suggest custom-made dental\nrestorations<\/a>. Categorized as direct and indirect, you may not understand which\nservices fall into each category. Luckily, your dentist can help explain the\ndifference between the two, so you know what to expect when preparing for your\nupcoming appointment. Take some time to become more familiar with these two\nrestorative types, so you will feel more confident about your future smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Custom-Made Restorations Are Necessary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Apart from preventive care, restorative and cosmetic\ndentistry are two of the most popular services a dentist can provide. While the\ncheckups and cleanings are designed to prevent problems, custom-made dental\nrestorations are used to repair, restore, and rebuild smiles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who require restorative dentistry often have severe\ndecay or significant damage to one or more teeth. This can be a result of poor oral\nhygiene, an infection, or trauma to the teeth or gums. However, if someone\ndislikes the aesthetics of their smile, cosmetic dentistry professionals can\nuse some of the same restorative materials to create artificial teeth to hide\nand cover imperfections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Direct Restoration?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experts agree that a direct restoration is one that is\ncreated and placed within the mouth. The most common type is a dental filling.\nNo matter the material used, it is placed within the tooth structure after the\ndecay or damage is cleaned and removed. Once in place, the material is hardened\nusing a UV-light, creating a seal to prevent reinfection or further damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although tooth-colored (composite) fillings are becoming\nmore popular among dental professionals because of their ability to create a\nnatural, blended look, other materials used for this type of restoration\ninclude silver amalgam and glass ionomer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For individuals looking for a cosmetic solution instead of a\nrestorative one, dental bonding is another type of direct restoration. Using\ncomposite resin that is matched to the patient\u2019s natural tooth color, the\nmaterial is bonded to the surface of the tooth to hide and repair cracks,\nchips, stains, and even gaps between teeth. Once sculpted and shaped into\nplace, it is hardened with a curing lamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an Indirect Restoration?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Opposite of restorations created within the oral cavity are\nones considered to be \u201cindirect\u201d or crafted outside the mouth. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n