Real cases from our clinic
Patients of Dr Haim Aseriel, photographed at the clinic and shared with their consent. Drag the line across the photo to compare.
Damaged enamel restored with nano-composite
- Real patients of the clinic
- Published with patient consent
- Every result is individual
Dental restoration: restoring a tooth's function and appearance
Dental restoration brings back the function and appearance of damaged teeth. At Dr Haim Aseriel's dental clinic in Jerusalem, a wide range of restorations is tailored to each patient, using quality materials. The approach focuses on preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible, with a natural-looking result.
Restorations at the clinic range from fillings to crowns, bridges and porcelain veneers, and up to more complex treatment with dental implants. Consultations are held in English, and each option is explained so you can choose with full information.
What is a dental restoration?
A dental restoration is a treatment that aims to restore the structure, function and appearance of a damaged or missing tooth.
Depending on the extent of the damage, the restoration can be partial or complete, and in some cases involves replacing the whole tooth. It starts with a thorough diagnosis of the tooth and surrounding tissues, which makes it possible to build a precise treatment plan for your specific needs.
Modern materials such as nano-composite, zirconia and E.max are metal-free and combine a natural look with long-term durability. They make it possible to create restorations that match the color of the natural teeth, without the metal materials used in the past, including when repairing broken teeth.
The clinic offers a range of restoration options adapted to each patient's situation:
- Nano-composite fillings
- Precisely fitted crowns
- Fixed bridges and partial dentures
- Implant-supported restorations
- Porcelain veneers for cosmetic improvement
What damages a tooth?
Decay, fractures, wear and erosion are the four main mechanisms that wear down the hard tissue of a tooth and weaken its overall structure.
Decay: bacteria in dental plaque break down sugars and carbohydrates and produce acids that dissolve the enamel. Early white or brown spots can still be reversed (remineralized) with fluoride; once a hole in the tooth forms, it needs a restoration.
Cracks and fractures: trauma (a fall, an accident, a sports injury), teeth grinding, biting hard objects, and teeth weakened by large fillings or by a root canal without a proper restoration. Microscopic cracks widen over time and can expose the pulp. More on the cracked tooth page.
Wear and erosion: wear is made worse by grinding and abnormal chewing forces; erosion comes from acids in foods and drinks (citrus fruit, wine, soft drinks, juices) or from stomach acid with reflux or vomiting.
The type of damage is diagnosed with a clinical examination and X-rays. Good oral hygiene, less sugar and fast-acting carbohydrates, and fluoride are the keys to preventing decay, along with regular check-ups, professional cleaning and sealants on children's teeth.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
How are teeth restored? The options
Dental restoration includes several techniques and materials that aim to give a damaged tooth back its natural appearance and function.
Direct composite fillings
Direct composite (tooth-colored) fillings are the most common way to restore teeth with mild to moderate decay. Their main advantage is appearance: the shade can be matched precisely to the rest of the tooth, so the restoration is almost invisible. They also require minimal removal of healthy tooth structure, in line with modern dentistry's aim of preserving as much of the natural tooth as possible.
Indirect restorations
Indirect restorations, such as an inlay, an onlay or a front tooth crown, are made in a dental lab (CAD/CAM) when there is not enough healthy tooth for a regular filling; the types are described below, under indirect restorations.
Before any restoration
Before any restoration, all decayed tissue is removed and the cavity is cleaned thoroughly. Depending on how close the decay or damage is to the nerve, root canal treatment may be needed before the final restoration. The tooth is then recorded with the clinic's intraoral scanner (Shining 3D Aoralscan 3), with no impression paste, to plan a precise, natural-looking restoration.
After a restoration:
- Once the anesthetic wears off, the tooth may be sensitive to cold or pressure for a few days; this is temporary.
- Until the numbness wears off, avoid chewing on the treated side, so you do not bite your cheek or tongue.
- Sensitivity that does not go away, pain on biting, pain that gets worse or a filling that feels "high" need a check-up, and sometimes an adjustment of the restoration's height. More on dental fillings.
The choice of restoration depends on the extent of the damage, the position of the tooth (front or back), aesthetic needs, chewing function and the patient's preferences.
What are indirect restorations?
Indirect restorations (inlays, onlays, veneers and crowns) are made outside the mouth to the measurements of the tooth and then bonded to it, when the damage is too large for a regular filling. In the past they were cast in metal, hence the name "cast restorations"; today most are made of ceramic or zirconia. Veneers are also used for broken, worn, stained or gapped front teeth.
| Indirect restoration | What it covers | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Inlay | Chewing surface and between neighboring teeth, without covering the cusps | Medium-sized cavities |
| Onlay | A larger part of the tooth, including at least one cusp | More structural reinforcement |
| Veneers | Front surface of the tooth, mainly front teeth | Significant cosmetic improvement |
| Crowns | The whole visible tooth | Maximum protection, for example after a root canal |
Making an indirect restoration involves several steps: first, decay or damaged tissue is removed and the tooth is shaped to receive the restoration. The prepared tooth is then recorded precisely, with an impression or a digital scanner. With a fully digital chairside system, the restoration can be designed and made in the office within a few hours: the clinic has its own dental lab with a dental technician, where an inlay, onlay, crown or veneer is made the same day, depending on the case. With the more traditional method, a temporary restoration is placed and the data is sent to an outside lab, which makes the permanent restoration.
Modern materials for indirect restorations include ceramics, zirconia, lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (such as e.max) and metal alloys. The clinic favors metal-free restorations, which combine a natural look with strength and good biocompatibility. Each restoration is adapted to the patient, taking into account the shade of the natural teeth, the bite, function and aesthetic preferences.
What if the tooth cannot be saved? Restoring a missing tooth
Despite every effort to keep natural teeth, sometimes the damage is too advanced to save the tooth. When a tooth cannot be restored, full mouth rehabilitation options are used, such as dental implants, fixed bridges or partial dentures, each with advantages and disadvantages depending on the patient's clinical and personal situation. Dental implants are a common way to replace missing teeth, offering stability, independence from the neighboring teeth and preservation of the jawbone. According to a meta-analysis, about 96% of dental implants survived 10 years. The implant is a titanium post placed in the jawbone that acts as an artificial root, topped by a crown that mimics the natural tooth.
Fixed bridges are another option when teeth are missing in a row. A bridge consists of crowns on the teeth next to the gap (abutments) and one or more artificial teeth (pontics) that fill the gap. Its main advantage is that it is a fixed solution that does not require surgery, and it is especially suitable when the neighboring teeth need restoring anyway. A significant drawback is that healthy neighboring teeth must be reduced, which means losing healthy tooth structure. According to a systematic review, about 89% of fixed bridges supported by natural teeth survived 10 years.
Partial or full dentures are a removable way to replace missing teeth, especially suitable for patients who are not candidates for implants because of their health, insufficient bone or cost. Modern dentures are made of light, strong materials fitted precisely to the mouth, with better appearance and comfort than older generations. Dentures can also be anchored on implants, combining the stability of implants with the lower cost of dentures.
The right way to replace a missing tooth is individual and depends on the condition of the mouth and gums, the number and position of the missing teeth, the bone, general health and budget. A thorough assessment, with a clinical examination, X-rays and, when indicated, 3D imaging, is used to build a treatment plan suited to each patient, for a good functional and aesthetic result.
Restoring teeth with dental implants
Dental implants are one of the most common ways to replace missing teeth today. Unlike traditional options such as bridges or removable dentures, a dental implant is a fixed solution that closely mimics the function and appearance of a natural tooth, planned according to the shape of each patient's mouth and specific needs.
Implant treatment has several main stages, from a thorough examination and bone assessment, to the implant surgery itself, to placing the crown on the implant. With 3D CBCT imaging and a digital scan at the clinic, the implant is planned precisely and, when needed, a 3D surgical guide is prepared. When bone is missing, a bone graft may be needed before or during implant placement, as assessed by the dentist.
A major advantage of implants is that they help preserve the alveolar bone, which tends to shrink after a tooth is extracted. The implant acts as an artificial root that transfers chewing forces to the bone, helping limit the gradual bone loss of the ridge that a bridge or denture does not prevent. This is an important long-term consideration.
The success of an implant depends to a large extent on the quality of the materials and on careful planning and follow-up. Patients are accompanied throughout the process, from the first consultation to long-term follow-up after the implant.
Dental restoration in Jerusalem: book a consultation with Dr Haim Aseriel.
The clinic offers a range of restoration options tailored to each patient, with a conservative approach that preserves natural structures as much as possible. At the first consultation, held in English, the mouth and teeth are examined and a personal treatment plan is built: every relevant option is presented, with its pros and cons, expected duration and expected results.
At the end of the consultation, you receive a detailed written estimate with no obligation, and itemized receipts are provided so you can submit them to your insurer (coverage depends on your policy). The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem, open Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00.
Dental restoration: frequently asked questions
A white (composite) filling has no fixed "expiry date". According to a review, the failure rate of composite fillings on back teeth is about 1% to 3% per year, depending mainly on the risk of decay and the size of the filling. Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups make it possible to spot a problem at the edge of the filling early.
Cavities (tooth decay) are caused mainly by bacteria in dental plaque, the film that builds up on the teeth. These bacteria break down sugars and carbohydrates and produce acids that dissolve tooth enamel.
Direct composite (tooth-colored) fillings are the most common way to restore teeth with mild to moderate decay. Their main advantage is appearance: the shade can be matched to the rest of the tooth so the restoration is almost invisible. The failure rate of composite fillings on back teeth is about 1% to 3% per year, depending mainly on the risk of decay and the size of the filling.
Indirect restorations are made outside the mouth, in a dental lab or with computer-aided design and manufacturing, and then bonded to the tooth. They include inlays, onlays, veneers and crowns, each with a specific indication depending on the clinical situation and the position of the tooth.
A missing tooth, or a tooth that cannot be saved, is restored with options such as dental implants, fixed bridges or partial dentures, each with advantages and disadvantages depending on the patient's clinical and personal situation.
Sources
- Demarco FF et al., Brazilian Oral Research, 2017 – Link to study
- Howe MS et al., Journal of Dentistry, 2019 – Link to study
- Tan K, Pjetursson BE et al., Clinical Oral Implants Research, 2004 – Link to study
