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Restorative dentistry focuses on repairing damaged teeth and restoring them to full function and natural appearance. Whether you have a small cavity, a broken tooth, or extensive damage, we use the latest materials and techniques to rebuild your smile with results that are strong, beautiful, and long-lasting.
At South Holston Dental Designs, we’re committed to using only the highest-quality, most advanced restorative materials. That’s why we’re an amalgam-free practice—we eliminated old-fashioned silver fillings years ago in favor of superior modern materials that are healthier, stronger, and virtually invisible.
Dental Fillings
When decay damages a tooth, a filling restores its structure and function. We use composite resin fillings that match your tooth color exactly, making them virtually invisible. These modern materials bond directly to your tooth, providing excellent strength while preserving more of your natural tooth structure.
Why we chose composite over amalgam:
After numbing the area, we carefully remove the decay and clean the tooth. We then apply the composite material in layers, hardening each layer with a special light. Finally, we shape and polish the filling until it looks and feels exactly like your natural tooth. Most fillings are completed in a single visit.
Dental Crowns
A crown completely covers a damaged tooth, restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. We recommend crowns when a tooth is too damaged for a filling—whether from decay, a large old filling that’s failing, a crack, or a root canal.
All-Ceramic Crowns – Our most popular choice. These metal-free crowns look completely natural and are ideal for front teeth or anywhere appearance matters most.
Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal Crowns – Combines the strength of metal with the appearance of porcelain. A good option for back teeth that need extra strength.
Gold Crowns – The most durable option for back molars where appearance is less critical. Gold is gentle on opposing teeth and extremely long-lasting.
Traditional crowns typically require two visits. At the first appointment, we prepare the tooth, take detailed impressions, and place a temporary crown. Our dental lab then creates your permanent crown—a process that takes about two weeks. At your second visit, we remove the temporary and permanently cement your custom crown.
With our CAD/CAM technology, we can often create your crown in a single visit. We’ll discuss whether you’re a candidate for same-day crown fabrication during your consultation.
Inlays and Onlays
Think of inlays and onlays as something between a filling and a crown. When damage is too extensive for a filling but not severe enough to require a crown, these custom restorations are the ideal solution.
Inlays – Fit within the cusps (bumps) of your tooth, similar to a filling but custom-made in a lab for superior fit and durability
Onlays – Cover one or more cusps when more extensive restoration is needed
We fabricate inlays and onlays from porcelain or composite materials that match your tooth color exactly. The process is similar to crown placement: we prepare the tooth, take impressions, place a temporary restoration, and then cement your permanent inlay or onlay at a second visit.
Dental bonding uses tooth-colored composite resin to repair chips, close gaps, reshape teeth, or cover stains. It’s one of the most conservative cosmetic and restorative options available—often requiring no anesthesia and completed in a single visit.
Common uses for bonding:
We roughen the tooth surface slightly and apply a conditioning liquid, helping the bonding material adhere properly. We then apply the composite resin, sculpt it to the desired shape, and harden it with a special light. Finally, we trim, shape, and polish the bonding until it blends seamlessly with your natural tooth.
Bonding is an excellent solution for minor cosmetic concerns or small repairs. While not as durable as crowns or veneers, properly maintained bonding can last 5-10 years.
We’re an Amalgam-Free Practice
Years ago, we made the strategic decision to eliminate silver (amalgam) fillings entirely. While amalgam has been used for over a century, modern composite materials are simply superior in almost every way.
Why we chose composite over amalgam:
Better for your health – No mercury content, completely biocompatible
Better for your teeth – Bonds chemically to tooth structure, actually strengthening the tooth rather than just filling a hole
Better appearance – Completely invisible, matching your natural tooth color
More conservative – Requires removing less healthy tooth structure
Better function – Expands and contracts with temperature changes just like natural teeth, reducing sensitivity
Longer-lasting seal – The chemical bond prevents leakage and future decay better than amalgam’s mechanical lock
When possible, we recommend all-ceramic crowns rather than porcelain-fused-to-metal. Metal-free crowns offer superior aesthetics with no dark lines at the gum line, completely natural translucency, and excellent biocompatibility. Modern ceramic materials are incredibly strong—strong enough even for back teeth in most cases.
Precision with CAD/CAM Technology
Our CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) system allows us to design and create custom restorations with exceptional precision. We can often fabricate crowns, inlays, and onlays in a single visit, eliminating the need for temporary restorations and second appointments.
This technology produces restorations that fit perfectly, look natural, and last longer because of their superior fit.
Signs You May Need a Filling
Signs You May Need a Crown
Signs You May Need an Inlay/Onlay
Don’t wait for pain to seek treatment. The earlier we catch problems, the more conservative and affordable your treatment will be.
Preventive care (cleanings, exams, fluoride) keeps your teeth healthy and helps you avoid problems.
Restorative care repairs damage that’s already occurred—whether from decay, injury, or wear.
While we always emphasize prevention, restorative work is sometimes necessary. The good news? Modern restorative dentistry can repair damage so effectively that your tooth looks, feels, and functions just like it did originally.
Comprehensive Evaluation
Before recommending any treatment, we thoroughly evaluate your tooth using visual examination, digital x-rays, and sometimes specialized diagnostic tools. We explain exactly what we find and why we’re recommending specific treatment.
Conservative Approach
We always choose the most conservative treatment that will effectively restore your tooth. If a filling will work, we won’t recommend a crown. We believe in preserving as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
Comfortable Treatment
We use modern anesthesia techniques to ensure you’re completely comfortable during treatment. For patients with dental anxiety, we offer nitrous oxide sedation to help you relax.
Lasting Results
We use only high-quality materials and proven techniques. With proper care, your restorations should last for many years—often decades.
Caring for Your Restorations
Care for restored teeth exactly like natural teeth:
Visit us every six months so we can monitor your restorations and catch any potential issues early. We check for wear, proper fit, and any signs of decay around restoration margins.
If you grind your teeth at night, a custom nightguard protects your restorations (and natural teeth) from excessive wear. We can create a comfortable guard that prevents damage while you sleep.
Composite Fillings: 7-10 years on average, sometimes longer with excellent care
Crowns: 10-15 years or more. Many last 20+ years.
Inlays/Onlays: 15-20 years or more with proper care
Bonding: 5-10 years depending on location and care
Longevity depends on several factors: your oral hygiene, diet, whether you grind your teeth, and the location of the restoration. Back teeth that handle heavy chewing forces experience more wear than front teeth.
Regular checkups help us identify any issues early, often before you’re aware of them. Sometimes we can repair a restoration rather than replacing it entirely.
Restorative dentistry is an investment in your oral health and overall wellbeing. Untreated decay or damage only gets worse over time, eventually requiring more extensive (and expensive) treatment.
Factors affecting cost:
Insurance typically covers:
We’ll provide a detailed estimate before beginning treatment so you understand your investment and insurance coverage. We also offer financing options to help make care affordable.
Commitment to Quality Materials
We never cut corners on materials. Every restoration uses the best available materials for that specific application. Our amalgam-free, metal-free approach reflects our commitment to your health and aesthetics.
Advanced Technology
Our CAD/CAM system, digital impressions, and other technology help us create restorations that fit better, look better, and last longer.
Experienced Team
Our doctors have extensive training in restorative dentistry and stay current with the latest techniques through continuing education. We’ve restored thousands of teeth over the years—experience that leads to better outcomes.
Conservative Philosophy
We preserve your natural tooth structure whenever possible and always recommend the most conservative effective treatment.
Comfortable Environment
We understand dental anxiety is real. Our team works hard to keep you comfortable and informed throughout your treatment.
Dental problems don’t heal on their own—they only get worse. A small filling today can prevent the need for a root canal and crown tomorrow. The earlier we catch issues, the simpler and more affordable treatment will be.
Whether it’s a routine cleaning, a dental implant, or a complete smile transformation
– our team is ready to help. Accepting new patients. Same-day emergency