Dental decay affects more than 50% of the population around the world. It needs to be addressed promptly to prevent complications such as the need for invasive procedures and eventual tooth loss.
Dentistry as we know it today has evolved through years of meticulous research and advancements. We are in an era where we can diagnose dental cavities at the earliest sign and save teeth. Thanks to recent advances, we now have access to multiple treatment regimes that cater to dental ailments and the patient’s individual needs.
Traditional vs Modern Dentistry
Dentistry started thousands of years ago, but it was in the early 1800s that we segregated dentistry as a separate field. In these times, dentistry started evolving and catered to the treatment of dental cavities and the restoration of lost tooth structure.
Silver amalgam, commonly known as a silver filling, was first introduced in dentistry in the 1820s and gained immediate traction owing to its strength and durability. However, as we progressed through the years, concrete drawbacks of amalgam fillings came to be known.
Traditionally, dentistry used silver amalgam to restore a tooth after dental cavity removal. Dental amalgam has no adhesive properties and adheres to the tooth mechanically. This meant that apart from removing the infected tooth structure, a lot of healthy tooth structure had to be removed to ensure retention of a filling.
Removal of healthy structure weakens the tooth and makes it susceptible to breakage. Moreover, amalgam tends to swell over time, causing sharp shooting pain due to pulp compression.
Because amalgam doesn’t seal perfectly, bacteria can re-enter, leading to secondary decay. It may also cause galvanic shock when in contact with other metals and looks unaesthetic, often discolouring the tooth.
Due to these drawbacks, the need for aesthetic and adhesive fillings arose — leading to the evolution of adhesive dentistry.
Another aspect of traditional dentistry involved metal crowns to restore severely damaged teeth. While crowns are effective, they require extensive tooth preparation, removing more of the natural structure.
Therefore, adhesive dentistry was introduced to counter these drawbacks and ensure conservative tooth restoration.
Adhesive Dentistry
To put it plainly, adhesive dentistry deals with chemically bonding restorative materials to enamel and dentin.
Dr. Viorel Talpa specialises in adhesive dentistry and performs several procedures to ensure sustainable and long-lasting dental fillings.
Adhesive dentistry uses composite resins for both direct fillings and indirect restorations like onlays, inlays, and veneers.
The key advantage is that the materials chemically bond to the tooth — requiring minimal preparation, thereby preserving healthy tooth structure.
A dental bonding agent attaches the composite resin to the tooth, ensuring only the decayed part is removed while maintaining the integrity of the treated tooth.
These tooth-coloured materials are aesthetic, stain-resistant, and lifelike. Since they don’t expand or leave micro-gaps, pain and sensitivity are minimized, and bacteria infiltration is prevented.
Inlays, Onlays, and Veneers
Onlays and Inlays are indirect dental restorations made outside the mouth.
The procedure includes:
-
A complete oral examination and X-rays.
-
Identification of decayed teeth.
-
For larger cavities unsuitable for simple fillings, onlays or inlays are recommended.
These restorations are conservative and save maximum tooth structure.
After cleaning decay, dental impressions are taken, and materials like ceramic, zirconia, or composite resin are used to fabricate the restoration.
At the next appointment, the restoration is bonded using adhesive materials and polished for a natural look.
-
Inlays → for smaller cavities that don’t involve the cusp.
-
Onlays → for larger cavities where the cusp needs reinforcement.
Veneers, meanwhile, are thin tooth-coloured shells that cover the front surface of teeth. They conceal discolouration, misshapen teeth, or small gaps. Veneers are minimally invasive and last up to 15 years with good care.
The Best Material for Onlays
A common question is: What is the best material for onlays?
Let’s look at popular options 👇
Ceramic or Porcelain
-
Strong, tooth-coloured, and aesthetic.
-
Excellent for blending with natural teeth and restoring function like chewing.
Zirconia
-
A reinforced ceramic made from a single block for superior strength and translucency.
-
Can last 20+ years with care.
-
Hard to repair if damaged, requiring full replacement.
Composite
-
Highly aesthetic, built layer by layer for a natural appearance.
-
Preferred for repairability and conservation of tooth structure.
-
Bonds strongly and lasts long with proper maintenance.
ODORO composite system provides top-class material for onlays, offering strength, longevity, and lifelike aesthetics.
Final Thoughts
I hope this blog provided valuable insight into adhesive dentistry.If you have more questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please reach out to us.Dr. Viorel Talpa and the TalpaDent team are here to assist you in achieving exceptional oral health and a lasting smile.
