Editing Human tooth (section)

==Restorations==
[[File:dent,tooth,zub.jpg|right|thumb|A restored premolar]]
After a tooth has been damaged or destroyed, [[Dental restoration|restoration]] of the missing structure can be achieved with a variety of treatments. Restorations may be created from a variety of [[Dental restorative materials|materials]], including [[Glass ionomer cement|glass ionomer]], [[Amalgam (dentistry)|amalgam]], [[gold]], [[Dental porcelain|porcelain]], and [[Dental composite|composite]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20090830062420/http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fillings.asp Oral Health Topics: Dental Filling Options]". ada.org.</ref> Small restorations placed inside a tooth are referred to as "intracoronal restorations". These restorations may be formed directly in the mouth or may be cast using the [[lost-wax casting|lost-wax technique]], such as for some [[inlays and onlays]]. When larger portions of a tooth are lost, an "extracoronal restoration" may be fabricated, such as an [[crown (dentistry)|artificial crown]] or a [[veneer (dentistry)|veneer]], to restore the involved tooth.

When a tooth is lost, [[dentures]], [[Bridge (dentistry)|bridges]], or [[dental implant|implants]] may be used as replacements.<ref name="acp">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20120615170730/http://www.prosthodontics.org/patients/procedures.asp Prosthodontic Procedures]", The American College of Prosthodontists.</ref> Dentures are usually the least costly whereas implants are usually the most expensive. Dentures may replace complete arches of the mouth or only a [[removable partial denture|partial]] number of teeth. Bridges replace smaller spaces of missing teeth and use adjacent teeth to support the restoration. Dental implants may be used to replace a single tooth or a series of teeth. Though implants are the most expensive treatment option, they are often the most desirable restoration because of their aesthetics and function. To improve the function of dentures, implants may be used as support.<ref name="aaomsimplants">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20060925181506/http://www.aaoms.org/dental_implants.php Dental Implants]", American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.</ref>