Resin-bonded bridges and tooth colored fillings are relatively newer procedures that have been added to the armamentarium of the dentist.
Resin-bonded bridge
When there is a missing tooth in the front row of teeth, a resin-bonded bridge may be the solution. Here is a link that shows that the gap can be filled in with an artificial tooth made of resin or porcelain and attached to the neighboring teeth from behind with wings out of metal or resin. This dental bridge works well for front teeth where the pressures are less than for back teeth where the forces from biting are too high, so that there a regular dental bridge would be required. A resin bonded bridge is about 1000$, a regular bridge about 2000$ to 3000$ and a tooth implant about 3000$ to 3500$.
Tooth colored fillings
There is more demand now than in the past for tooth colored fillings. Technically this has become possible as resin fillings now last a lot longer than in the past. It is particularly useful in front teeth because of the appearance that blends into the natural tooth color and because the pressures on a front tooth are not as high as on molars. However, even in the back teeth resin fillings can be used for a period of time until a porcelain crown is needed. Resin fillings are about 100$ to 400$ per tooth and last about 5 to 7 years. They can be put in place within one hour (during the same visit when the defect was assessed). Porcelain crowns likely last 15 years, but are a lot more costly.
Tooth Colored Fillings
References:
1. Suzanne Somers: “Breakthrough” Eight Steps to Wellness – Life-altering Secrets from Today’s Cutting-edge Doctors”, Crown Publishers, 2008
2. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-root-canals
3. http://www.aacd.com/whitening
4. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Gum-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx
5. http://www.aae.org/patients/treatments-and-procedures/root-canals/root-canals.aspx
6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_trauma
7. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-25286/The-complete-guide-cosmetic-dentistry.html
