Dental fixed restoration refers to the use of dental materials to replace or restore a missing or damaged tooth structure permanently. Fixed restorations are different from removable restorations like dentures, which can be taken out of the mouth for cleaning or maintenance.
Examples of dental fixed restorations include dental crowns, dental bridges, inlays, and onlays. These restorations are designed to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth, restoring your smile’s aesthetics and functionality.
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps that cover a damaged or decayed tooth, restoring its shape, size, and strength. Dental bridges replace missing teeth by attaching an artificial tooth to neighboring natural teeth, while inlays and onlays fill cavities or damage in the tooth’s biting surface.
Fixed restorations can be made from a variety of materials, including porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination of these materials.
Fixed Restorations Type Chart
| Type of Restoration | Zirconia Pretinted | Zirconia Buccal Cut Back | Zirconia Tinted | Ivoclar Emax (Lithium Disilicate) | Vita Enamic (Hybrid Ceramic) | Porcelain Fused to Metal | Full Gold | Porcelain Veneers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | Anterior/Posterior Crowns and Bridges | Anterior/Posterior Crowns and Bridges | Anterior/Posterior Crowns and Bridges | Anterior/Postertior Crowns, Inlays/Onlays, and Veneers | Single/Posterior Crowns and Inlay/Onlay | Anterior/Posterior Crowns and Bridges | Posterior Crowns and Bridges, and Inlays/Onlays | Anterior and Posterior |
| Materials | Full contoured Yittria zirconia | Porcelain Fused to Yittria zirconia | Porcelain Fused to Yittria zirconia | Lithium disilicate | Ceramic/Polymer | Alloy of your choice, Opaqued and layered porcelain, Porcelain margin | Yellow Alloy and Silver Alloy (You can choose material) | Feldspathic Porcelain and Mark II |
| Days in Lab* | 5-10* | 5-10* | 5-10* | 5-10* | 5* | 7-10* | 5 | 7-10* |
| Aesthetics | Monolithic with stain | Porcelain on Buccal | Custom Shade | Custom Shade | Absorbs neighboring tooth colour | Dependent on preparation design | N/A | Custom Shade |
| Adhesive | Resin cement | Resin Cement | Resin cement | Etch and Bond (As per manufacturer's instructions) | Etch and Bond (As per manufacturer's instructions) | Resin cement | Resin cement | Bond as per manufacturer's Instructions |
*Days in the lab can vary due to the complexity of the case. Cases can also be pre-booked (Add 2 days for courier deliveries).
Precision Combination Attachment
The best treatment option is the one that works for your patient. When aesthetics are paramount and your patient requires partial and fixed restoratives, a combination of crowns, attachments and precision partials can provide the results you demand. A combination case can also be an alternative when implants are not an option. The process is initiated with a case analysis between the dentist and lab to design the optimum treatment strategy.
