Restorative dentistry is traditional in the sense that it manages routine dental problems, such as cavities or fixing chips and gaps. Cavities are filled with a composite or other material; more extensive areas of decay may require inlays and onlays, which are created by outside labs and applied to the top of the tooth (or teeth) by your dentist. Gaps, chips and small cracks can be remedied with dental bonding, the application of inconspicuous filling material to the surface of the tooth.