Restorative Dentistry

When does tooth decay occur? How is a dental filling performed? How are broken teeth treated? What is an inlay? Is amalgam filling harmful? Can decayed teeth repair themselves? We seek answers to these questions.

What Is Restorative Dental Treatment: Fillings and Tooth Restoration?

Restorative dental treatment focuses on restoring the harmony and function of the oral cavity by rebuilding tooth structures that have been lost due to various factors. It addresses conditions that affect daily life, such as decayed teeth, painful teeth, and fractured teeth, by identifying the root cause of the problem. When necessary, decayed tooth tissue is removed, and based on healthy tooth characteristics, appropriate fillings and restorations are performed. Most importantly, the goal is to restore the patient’s functional oral capabilities.

Restorative treatments include aesthetic composite fillings, inlay fillings, onlay fillings, bonding applications, root canal treatment, and fiber post procedures.



Aesthetic Composite Fillings

The appearance, alignment, size, and angles of teeth vary from person to person. In some patients, small tooth size may result in noticeable gaps between teeth, while in others, misalignment may occur due to positional differences. Aesthetic composite fillings, also known as composite bonding or white fillings, are highly successful in meeting patients’ aesthetic expectations when applied to the relevant teeth—without requiring procedures as demanding as laminate veneers or porcelain crowns. With regular post-treatment care, you can easily achieve the aesthetic smile you desire with composite fillings.

Composite fillings are among the easiest and most affordable cosmetic procedures. The composite resin used in fillings can be shaped and polished to match the surrounding teeth. Composite fillings are used to improve the appearance of discolored or fractured teeth, close gaps between teeth, make teeth appear longer, change tooth shape or color, protect exposed roots due to gum recession, or serve as an alternative to amalgam fillings.

Inlay and Onlay Fillings (Porcelain Fillings)

This treatment can be considered a hybrid approach between crowns and traditional fillings. Compared to conventional crowns, these treatments can be applied without cutting down or reducing the entire tooth, which essentially means a more conservative treatment approach.

Porcelain inlays are aesthetically superior to composite materials. They can be easily polished and have stain-resistant surfaces. They are custom-made to fit the tooth precisely based on an impression. They offer excellent tissue compatibility and are resistant to abrasion and physical forces, making them highly durable against wear and chewing forces. They can be used in the restoration of decayed or fractured teeth.

Restoration of Fractured and Decayed Teeth

Sugary, flour-based, and starchy foods, milk, fruit juices, carbonated drinks, fruits, vegetables, and similar foods—when not adequately cleaned—combine with bacteria naturally present in the mouth to form bacterial dental plaque. This plaque contains acidic waste products produced by bacteria. These acids cause mineral loss on the tooth’s hard enamel surface, leading to irreversible damage and tooth decay.

My tooth is broken—does it need to be extracted?

It is not possible to say the same for every tooth and every fracture. Factors such as where the tooth is broken, the depth of the fracture line, and whether the fracture has reached the pulp (the nerve tissue) provide important information about the course of treatment.

In superficial cracks and fractures that do not involve the pulp tissue, the tooth can be restored by removing any decayed tissue and using fiber-reinforced composite fillings. However, if the tooth is fractured at the root, if there is no healthy tooth structure remaining above the gum line, or if the tooth is split vertically into two parts, extraction may be necessary.

Timing is also crucial in treatable fractures and cracks. Even if the nerve tissue is not affected initially, delaying treatment may lead to nerve damage and severe pain due to food impaction. Detailed information will be provided by your dentist after examination.

In What Situations Is Root Canal Treatment Necessary?

Root canal treatment is a procedure applied when the nerve tissue inside the tooth becomes infected. It is usually required for deep cavities, trauma to the tooth, or infections under old fillings.

Thanks to root canal treatment, a tooth that might otherwise need to be extracted can be preserved in the mouth. During the treatment, the infected tissue is cleaned, the canal space is filled, and the tooth continues to function.

In cases diagnosed early, root canal treatment can be completed more quickly and comfortably. It is important to see a dentist if you experience tooth pain, sensitivity to hot or cold, or pain while chewing.

Treatment of Fractured Front Teeth

The fracture line and its location provide insight into the longevity of the treatment. When the fracture is in the front region, it creates an aesthetic and social concern that affects daily life.

If possible, you should visit a dentist as soon as possible, bringing the broken fragment with you. If the fragment’s integrity is preserved, the dentist may reattach it using composite or resin adhesives.

If the broken fragment is not available, the location of the fracture line remains important, and the dentist may restore the tooth using composite fillings. In fractured tooth treatments, involvement of the nerve tissue may necessitate root canal treatment. Likewise, if the fracture is close to the gum line and involves the nerve tissue, the weakened tooth structure can be reinforced using fiber posts following root canal treatment. Not every fracture has the same solution; for a detailed evaluation, you may contact us.

What Is Bonding Treatment?

Bonding treatment (Composite Laminate) is the commonly used term for aesthetic procedures performed with composite fillings. It is generally used to close gaps between teeth (diastema) and to reshape teeth with form irregularities or those that are aesthetically undesirable.

It is a minimally invasive procedure, allowing you to achieve the desired aesthetic smile without damaging healthy tooth tissue. Since the material used is composite, stains from smoking, tea, or coffee may develop over time. Maintaining good oral hygiene and attending follow-up appointments will help extend the longevity of this aesthetic treatment.

Restorative Treatment Prices

After the necessary examinations are completed, your dentist will provide you with detailed and clear information regarding dental treatment prices. For the year 2026, the price of a single-tooth composite filling ranges between 3,000 and 5,500 TL.



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