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RESTORATION

SERVICES

 

We use a variety of procedures and technologies to make your smile look as beautiful as ever! Learn more about our restoration services below.

CROWN & BRIDGE

 

Crown and bridge restorations, whether a single crown or a multi-unit bridge to replace missing teeth are a wonderful means for restoring and replacing broken down and missing teeth. Crowns and bridges are fixed restorations. This means they are permanently cemented in the mouth and are not removable. If a major amount of tooth structure is missing due to decay or fracture, a filling usually is not the treatment of choice for many reasons. Single unit crowns can replace missing tooth structure as well as look like your natural teeth when placed in the mouth. They are not only functional, but aesthetic as well.

 

Bridges are used to replace missing teeth and re-establish your occlusion (bite) to its natural, functional state. When teeth are missing, provided that there is adequate supporting structure (bone), a bridge can be the answer to filling in the missing space and restoring your occlusion and prevent the moving of your teeth. Teeth will, over time, drift into empty space creating potential periodontal problems.

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We are also certified to offer FirstFit Bridges.  An innovative technology that is more conservative than a traditional 3 crown bridge by preserving more of your healthy teeth.  It is a less expensive alternative to an implant. 

ENDODONTIC THERAPY
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Endodontic therapy refers to root canals. Root canals are necessitated when there is damage to the teeth that involves the nerve, whether from natural causes, accident or decay.


Once the living tissue is removed from the tooth, the canal is cleaned and a pliable filling material is placed in the canal to seal it from both ends. Endodontic therapy is an excellent way of maintaining natural teeth in the mouth if there is adequate bone structure and tooth structure to support a restoration.


Restorations of choice after root canal therapy are crowns. The tooth will become brittle after root canal therapy and the crown is an excellent means of protecting the tooth and maintaining the occlusion (bite).

We perform root canals on the front teeth, bicuspids and molars so there is no need to go anywhere else.

IMPLANTS

 

Implants are another exceptional option to replacing missing teeth, and they require a minor surgical procedure to place them in the bone. Implants can be used singly or with other implants to provide a base for crown and bridge restorations. Implants can be placed in the mouth only with healthy levels of bone support, so the conditions in your mouth will determine whether or not you are a candidate for implants.

Simply stated, the implant is placed into healthy bone and allowed to osseo-integrate (create a bond) with the bone. Once this happens, after three months or so, an abutment is placed in the implant and a crown is made to fit over the abutment to restore the missing tooth. Multiple implants can be used to replace missing teeth and can be restored with single crowns or bridges, often in conjunction with your natural teeth. Implants can also be used to support dentures, should you be edentulous (have no natural teeth) or partially edentulous (missing some teeth).

INLAYS & ONLAYS
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Dental inlays and onlays are restorations used to repair rear teeth with mild to moderate decay or cracked and fractured teeth that are not sufficiently damaged to need a crown. This allows the dentist to conserve more of the patient’s original tooth structure.

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There are other benefits to inlays and onlays in comparison to metal fillings. Inlays and onlays are made from tough, hard-wearing materials which last up to 30 years and help to strengthen teeth by up to 75 percent.  Inlays and onlays prolong tooth life and reduce the need for more dental treatment in the future.

Dental inlays and onlays are used when old fillings need to be removed or replaced. A dental inlay is similar to a filling and fits inside the cusp tips (top edges) of the tooth. A dental onlay is more extensive and extends over the cusps of the treated tooth.

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During treatment the dentist removes the old fillings under local anesthesia and takes an impression of the tooth, which is sent to the dental laboratory. The new inlay or onlay is made from this mold in porcelain, gold or composite resin material. The inlay or onlay is then cemented into place at the next appointment. The inlay or onlay blends successfully with the treated tooth and the rest of the teeth to achieve a natural, uniform appearance.

DENTURES

 

Dentures are removable appliances, which are made to replace missing teeth. In cases where implant and/or crown and bridge are not recommended, dentures are an alternative. Dentures replacing all of the teeth are referred to as full or complete dentures. Dentures that replace missing teeth, where there are remaining natural teeth are referred to as partial dentures. Dentures can be used in conjunction with crowns, bridges and implants, depending on your unique situation. Our goal is to find the combination, which is best for the conditions in your mouth and present the longest lasting result. Although fixed appliances are preferable, dentures represent a viable option for tooth replacement.

COMPOSITE FILLINGS
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A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc.  The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.  You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today.  Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth, and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth. As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced.  They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.

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Reasons for composite fillings:

  • Chipped teeth.

  • Closing space between two teeth.

  • Cracked or broken teeth.

  • Decayed teeth.

  • Worn teeth.

 

Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment.  While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove decay as necessary.  The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed.  If the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection.  The composite filling will then be precisely placed, shaped, and polished, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.

It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when composite fillings are first placed, however this will subside shortly after your tooth acclimates to the new filling.

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