Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry involves treatment that repairs diseased or defective teeth or replaces non-restorable defective teeth.
• replacement of missing teeth
• root canal
Composite Restoration
Preferred by most patients, a composite resin restoration (tooth colored filling) is a mixture of plastic and fine glass particles. One advantage of a composite is the aesthetic shade-match to your natural tooth. Another advantage is that less healthy tooth structure needs to be removed because a composite is chemically bonded to the tooth. This type of filling however can wear out more easily than metal fillings in areas of heavy biting forces. Because composites are more time consuming to place, and, the price of materials are higher than silver, they generally cost more than an amalgam filling. However, for a patient concerned about mercury or just wanting a more natural appearance of their teeth, a tooth-colored composite is a great option.
Amalgam Restoration
Amalgam restorations (silver fillings) are very strong and can withstand the forces of chewing. They are the least expensive type of restorative material. Dental amalgam has been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. It contains a mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin, in addition to mercury, which binds these components into a hard, stable and safe substance. Amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness. A disadvantage of amalgam is that the color doesn’t match your teeth. Amalgam fillings do not bond to your tooth and on occasion healthy tooth structure must be removed to mechanically hold the filling in place.
Dental Inlay
An inlay is a stronger filling made out of ceramic, hardened composite resin or a gold alloy. An inlay replaces the decayed area of a tooth just as a dental filling does. A dental inlay requires two appointments for completion.
crowns
A heavily restored tooth can break under the stresses of normal chewing. As we age, teeth can crack, then subsequently break. Accidents such as biting into a bone or other hard objects can also fracture a tooth.
The recommended treatment for a broken tooth is a full crown which covers the whole tooth or a partial crown called an onlay, which replaces only a part of the tooth. Your dental professional will discuss the benefits of each and help you make an informed decision on what treatment is best for you.
Some popular material options for a crown are all ceramic (porcelain) crowns, porcelain fused to metal crowns and gold alloy crowns. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of material will be discussed with you as it applies to your personal situation. We want you to be happy with your decision.
• Fixed Bridge
The most common dental treatment used to replace a missing tooth is a fixed bridge. A bridge can be made from all porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or a gold alloy material. A bridge consists of crowns on either side of the missing tooth. A pontic (an attached suspended crown) fills the gap to replace the missing tooth. A bridge spans the distance from one natural tooth to the next so it can not be used in situations where an “anchor” tooth is missing.
• Implant and Implant supported Crown
A dental implant is a titanium alloy post placed into your jaw to hold a replacement crown. Dental implants are so natural looking and natural feeling you may forget you ever had a missing tooth. Adequate bone level in your jaw along with good oral health is necessary to support the implant. Our office utilizes dental specialists for evaluation and placement of dental implants. After allowing the implant several months to integrate with the jaw bone, an attachment is placed on the implant that holds a crown, giving the patient the look and feel of a real tooth. The impression for the crown and the insertion of the crown are completed in our office.
• Full or Partial Dentures
A removable partial denture is another way to replace several teeth. Your dentist will evaluate all your teeth and decide which teeth are healthy enough to hold clasps. The clasps are designed to stabilize the partial denture.
If a patient is missing all their teeth, a full denture will be prescribed. Working closely with trained technicians at our reputable laboratory, your dentures are made to match the dentist’s and your specifications. A denture takes longer to adjust to because without the clasps to stabilize the denture, a patient needs to train the cheek muscles, tongue, and lips to keep the denture in place. An implant supported denture is a good option, if your jaw bone level is less than ideal. Implants placed in the jaw help to maintain healthy bone levels and a denture resting on the implants provides greater stability.
Choosing a replacement for missing teeth depends on many factors. Leaving a tooth missing, even for a short time, allows other teeth to shift often times leading to a poor bite. Your teeth become harder to keep clean, increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Replacing missing teeth allows you to speak clearer, enjoy your favorite foods and smile confidently again.
If your tooth begins to die due to trauma, decay or unknown reasons the procedure needed to save your tooth is called root canal treatment, also called endodontic treatment. The most common causes of pulp death are a deep cavity, a crack or a traumatic injury to the tooth, all of which can allow bacteria to leak into the pulp. If the dying pulp tissues are not removed, the bone supporting the tooth can become damaged. This is called an abscess and the space will fill with bacteria causing pain and swelling. Without treatment, the tooth may have to be removed.
First, your dentist will remove the diseased pulp tissues. Using special delicate instruments, the pulp chamber and canals are carefully cleaned and shaped. The sterile canals are sealed with a material called gutta percha. Your tooth is then ready to be restored. Root canal treatment allows you to keep your natural tooth for chewing and for esthetics.
