Resin build-up

Resin build-up removes the damaged part of a decayed or broken tooth and bonds composite resin to rebuild its shape and chewing surface. Our biomimetic approach considers the structure of a natural tooth and how it handles chewing forces. We preserve as much sound tooth as possible and may reinforce weakened areas with fiber before bonding the resin.

Resin build-up directly fills and shapes the damaged part of a tooth with composite resin. A crown covers the tooth after its outer surfaces have been prepared. The two treatments differ in how much tooth is prepared and how the restoration is made.

In the fractured molar case with an old amalgam filling shown on this page, we restored the tooth with resin build-up without a crown. After removing decay, we performed MTA vital pulp therapy and fiber reinforcement, then rebuilt the tooth's shape and chewing surface with resin. The case above shows the actual treatment photographs and steps.

A rubber dam is a thin rubber sheet placed around the tooth being treated. It keeps saliva away from the bonding surface and helps prevent small instruments and treatment materials from falling into the mouth.

We prepare the tooth surface, apply adhesive, and cure it with a light. A rubber dam keeps saliva and moisture away, and we follow each material’s instructions and application times.

When the damage is more extensive than a small cavity, we need to rebuild the contact between teeth and the chewing surface. Isolating the tooth with a rubber dam and bonding and shaping the resin take clinical time and materials. The fee depends on the treatment scope and any reinforcement needed, and we explain it after examining the tooth.