Restorative Dentistry in Wayne PA

When it comes to restoring your smile, you want to find a dentist or dental implant specialist who is well-versed, well trained and understands the importance of careful treatment planning and artistic vision.

Philadelphia, Wayne and Main Line General and Adult Restorative dentist, James A. Vito, DMD, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and their prestigious Periodontal Prosthesis Program where he received dual training in Periodontics and Prosthodontics.

Dr. Vito has been doing adult, full mouth reconstructive, and advanced restorative dentistry since 1987. Dr. Vito works with a dental ceramist in his office to ensure the best fitting and aesthetic restorations.

To ensure your safety and comfort, sedation services are available in our office in Wayne, PA.

You can click below to learn about specific restoration procedures offered by Dr. Vito:
-Dental implants
-Crowns & Bridgework
-Teeth by Tonight
-Dentures

What are Dental Restorations?

A dental restoration is a man-made material that is designed to replace a missing or decayed part of a natural tooth while also restoring the strength and integrity of that tooth.

The following is a list of commonly used dental restorations in ascending order of complexity: amalgam (silver) restoration, tooth colored restoration (bonding), inlay/onlay (overlay) restoration and the crown restoration.

Choosing the appropriate restoration material depends upon four factors:

1. Tooth Structure

The tooth serves as a matrix to hold and support the restoration of choice. The less tooth structure present, the more demands that are placed upon the restoration to support not only itself, but also the remaining tooth structure as well.

2. Functional Demands
One must consider the biting forces placed on a specific tooth or teeth. Front teeth undergo “shearing and tensile forces” while back teeth undergo mainly “compressive forces.” Some teeth experience all three types of forces. Each restorative option will be examined carefully to achieve the best long-term results and aesthetics for your specific situation.

3. Oral Hygiene
Perhaps the most important and the most overlooked part for the long term predictability of any dental restoration. The only way to achieve good oral health is to practice good oral hygiene. Not only will this reduce your chances of getting periodontal disease, but it will also improve the longevity of your restorations. Restorations do not get decay. Teeth do!

4. Aesthetic Demands
The aesthetic expectations of a patient are unique to that specific patient. To achieve the best and most aesthetic result for the most aesthetically challenging patient, Dr. James Vito collaborates with a superior dental laboratory, working with excellent dental technicians, utilizing the best and most aesthetic materials and understanding the wants and needs of his patient.

Metal Free Restorations

Amalgam (silver) restorations represent a technology that is over 150 years old. When large amalgam restorations begin to fail, the best solution to preserve and strengthen tooth structure is to utilize tooth colored filling material, Dental Bonding or also know as Adhesive dentistry. This process allows the dental material to adhere or bond to the tooth structure and strengthen the tooth.

Porcelain Inlay & Onlay Restoration

When dental decay is removed, a porcelain inlay and/or onlay restorations is utilized in lieu of a crown. They are a  laboratory designed and processed porcelain (ceramic glass) restoration made in such a way that they fit into the tooth like a puzzle piece and then are bonded into place. This  strengthening and preserves tooth structure at the same time represents a more aesthetic alternative to its gold counterpart.Porcelain or gold inlay/onlay restorations are designed to strengthen and support weak teeth and are stronger than amalgam or bonded restorations.