Restorative Dentistry

The good news is that the incidence of tooth decay has significantly decreased over the years due to the use of fluorides and increased patient awareness. However, teeth are still vulnerable to decay, infection, and breakage, and may sometimes require restorative treatment to return them to their natural shape, appearance, and function. Thanks to improved techniques and modern technology, we now have more options than ever to restore a tooth effectively.

If your teeth ever need restorative treatment, you can be confident that we will discuss all available options with you and recommend the most comfortable and least invasive treatment. Our number one priority is to provide you with excellent care while creating a beautiful smile.

Reasons for Restorative Dentistry:

Enhance your smile.
Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth.
Improve or correct an improper bite.
Prevent the loss of a tooth.
Relieve dental pain.
Repair damaged and decayed teeth.
Replace missing teeth.
Replace old, unattractive dental treatments.
Restore normal eating and chewing.

Remember to give your teeth the attention they deserve today!

Composite Fillings

A composite (tooth-colored) filling is used to repair a tooth affected by decay, cracks, fractures, or other damage. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and filled with a composite material that blends seamlessly with your natural tooth color.

There are various types of filling materials, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the best option for restoring your tooth. Along with silver amalgam fillings, composite fillings are among the most widely used today. Since they match the color of your natural teeth, they are an excellent choice for visible areas, such as the front teeth.

Like most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may eventually need to be replaced. However, they are durable and can last for many years, keeping your smile looking beautiful and natural.

Reasons for Composite Fillings:

Chipped teeth
Closing spaces between teeth
Cracked or broken teeth
Decayed teeth
Worn teeth

How Are Composite Fillings Placed?

Composite fillings are typically placed in one appointment. After numbing the area, your dentist will remove any decay. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the new filling. If the decay was near the tooth's nerve, a special medication will be applied for extra protection. The composite material will then be carefully shaped, placed, and polished to restore the tooth to its original form and function.
It’s normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold right after the filling is placed, but this should subside as your tooth adjusts.
After your treatment, you’ll receive care instructions. Good oral hygiene practices, healthy eating habits, and regular dental visits will help ensure the longevity of your new fillings.

Crowns (Caps)

A crown (or cap) is a protective covering that encases the entire surface of a tooth, restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns are used to protect and strengthen teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

While there are various types of crowns, porcelain crowns (tooth-colored crowns) are the most popular. They are highly durable and can last for many years. However, like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of your natural teeth, providing you with a beautiful, long-lasting smile.

Reasons for Crowns:

Broken or fractured teeth
Cosmetic enhancement
Decayed teeth
Fractured fillings
Large fillings
Teeth that have had a root canal

What Does Getting a Crown Involve?

A crown procedure typically requires two appointments:

First Appointment:
- Impressions: Your dentist will take several precise molds (or impressions) of your tooth. These will be used to create a custom crown.
- Preparation: After numbing the area, your dentist will remove any decay and shape the tooth to ensure the crown fits properly.
- Temporary Crown: A temporary crown will be placed over the tooth with temporary cement, and you’ll wear it for about two weeks while your custom crown is being fabricated by a dental laboratory.
- Bite Check: Your dentist will check your bite to ensure the temporary crown is properly aligned.
Second Appointment:
- The temporary crown will be removed.
- Your tooth will be cleaned, and your new permanent crown will be carefully placed to ensure a proper fit, spacing, and bite.

Afterward, you’ll receive care instructions and will be encouraged to attend regular dental visits to check on the condition of your crown.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth and providing a fixed alternative to removable partial or complete dentures. They offer outstanding support and stability for dental appliances, helping restore both functionality and aesthetics.

Dental implants consist of artificial roots and teeth, usually made of titanium, which are surgically placed into the jawbone by a dentist or periodontist (a specialist in gums and supporting bone). The teeth attached to implants are designed to look and feel natural, enhancing or restoring a patient’s smile.

Implants are strong, durable, and long-lasting, though they may occasionally need adjustment or replacement due to normal wear over time.

Reasons for Dental Implants:

Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth.
Resolve joint pain or bite issues caused by teeth shifting into gaps left by missing teeth.
Restore a patient’s confident smile.
Improve chewing, speech, and digestion.
Enhance or restore facial tissues.
Provide secure support for bridges or dentures, increasing comfort and stability.

What Does Getting Dental Implants Involve?

The process of getting dental implants typically requires several visits over a few months:

Initial Evaluation:
- X-rays and impressions (molds) of your jaw and teeth are taken to assess the bone structure, gum tissue, and available space for the implant.
Surgical Placement:
- The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone while the area is numbed.
- The implant is left to heal and integrate with the bone (a process called osseointegration), which can take up to six months.
Placement of the Post (if needed):
- Depending on the type of implant, a second surgery may be required to place the “post” that will anchor the artificial tooth. Some implants come with the post already attached and are placed in a single procedure.
Fitting the Artificial Tooth:
- Once the implant has healed, artificial teeth are custom-made and fitted to the post. This step may require multiple fittings over one to two months to ensure proper fit and alignment.
Final Attachment:
- The artificial teeth are securely attached to the implant, providing a natural look and comfortable functionality.

Post-Treatment Care:

After your treatment is complete, you will receive care instructions to maintain the longevity of your implant. Good oral hygiene practices, healthy eating habits, and regular dental visits are essential for ensuring the success and durability of your dental implants.

Fixed Bridges

A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance designed to replace missing teeth and restore your smile. It is an effective solution for filling gaps and maintaining oral health.

There are several types of bridges, and your dentist will help you determine the best option for your specific needs. The most common type is the traditional bridge, typically made of porcelain fused to metal.

A traditional bridge consists of:

Two crowns placed over the anchoring teeth (abutment teeth).
Pontics (artificial teeth) that fill the gap created by missing teeth.

Dental bridges are highly durable and can last many years. However, they may eventually need replacement or re-cementing due to normal wear and tear.

Reasons for a Fixed Bridge:

Fill the space of missing teeth.
Maintain facial shape.
Prevent remaining teeth from shifting out of position.
Restore chewing and speaking abilities.
Enhance your smile.
Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance.

What Does Getting a Fixed Bridge Involve?

The process of getting a fixed bridge typically requires two or more visits:

First Visit:
- The anchoring teeth are numbed and prepared by removing a portion of enamel to make space for the crowns.
- A highly accurate impression (mold) of your teeth is taken and sent to a dental laboratory where the custom bridge will be created.
- A temporary bridge is made and placed to protect your teeth and gums while your permanent bridge is being fabricated.
Second Visit:
- Your permanent bridge is carefully checked for fit and adjusted as needed.
- The bridge is then cemented in place. In some cases, the dentist may temporarily cement the bridge to allow your teeth and tissues time to adjust before permanently securing it.

Care Instructions for Your Fixed Bridge:

To ensure the longevity of your new bridge:
- Practice proper brushing and flossing techniques, especially around the bridge.
- Use dental floss threaders or other tools designed for cleaning under the bridge.
- Maintain regular dental check-ups to monitor the health of your bridge and surrounding teeth.
With proper care, your fixed bridge can provide a natural, functional, and confident smile for years to come.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy is a dental procedure performed to save a tooth when its nerve or pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth) is affected by decay, infection, or trauma. During the procedure, the pulp, nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed, and the space inside the tooth is cleaned, disinfected, and filled with special medicated materials to restore the tooth’s function.

Root canal treatment is often the best choice for preserving a natural tooth, as extracting a damaged tooth can lead to more expensive and complex dental issues, such as shifting of adjacent teeth and difficulty chewing.

Signs and Symptoms Indicating Root Canal Therapy:

Abscess (a pimple-like swelling) on the gums.
Sensitivity to hot or cold.
Severe toothache pain.
Swelling and tenderness in the gums or surrounding area.
Sometimes, no symptoms are present.

Reasons for Root Canal Therapy:

Decay has reached the pulp (living tissue inside the tooth).
Infection or abscess has developed inside the tooth or at the root tip.
Injury or trauma has damaged the tooth.

What Does Root Canal Therapy Involve?

The process typically requires one or more appointments and is performed by a general dentist or an endodontist (root canal specialist).

Preparation and Cleaning:
- The tooth is numbed to ensure comfort.
- A rubber dam is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free from saliva.
- An access opening is created on the top of the tooth, and a series of small root canal files are used to remove the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria.
- If decay is present, it will be removed using specialized dental instruments.
Filling and Sealing:
- Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with a temporary filling if additional appointments are needed.
- At the following appointment, the root canals and the inside cavity are filled and sealed with special materials. A permanent filling is then placed to close the opening.
Crown Placement:
- A crown (cap) is usually recommended for teeth that have undergone root canal therapy to protect the tooth, prevent fractures, and restore full function.

Aftercare and Recovery:

Sensitivity after the procedure is normal and will diminish as the tooth heals and inflammation subsides.
Care instructions will be provided after each appointment.
Maintaining good oral hygiene, eating a balanced diet, and attending regular dental check-ups will help extend the life of your root canal treatment.

With proper care, root canal therapy is highly successful and can last a lifetime, preserving your natural tooth and restoring your confident smile.

Dentures are removable dental appliances designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are crafted to closely resemble natural teeth and can even enhance your smile.

There are two main types of dentures:

Complete Dentures:
- Used when all teeth are missing in an arch.
- Can be either:
  - Conventional: Made after the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed, typically requiring 4–6 weeks. During this time, the patient goes without teeth.
  - Immediate: Made in advance and placed immediately after teeth removal, allowing the patient to avoid being without teeth. Adjustments are often needed as the tissues heal and shrink.
Partial Dentures:
- Used when some natural teeth remain.
- Not only fill the spaces created by missing teeth but also prevent the remaining teeth from shifting out of position.

Dentures are durable and can last for many years, but over time, they may need to be repaired, readjusted, or replaced due to normal wear.

Reasons for Dentures:

Complete Dentures: Replacement for all teeth in an arch.
Partial Dentures: Replacement for several missing teeth in an arch.
Enhance your smile and facial appearance.
Improve chewing, speech, and digestion.

What Does Getting Dentures Involve?

The process of getting dentures typically requires several appointments over a few weeks:

Impressions and Measurements:
- Highly accurate molds and measurements of your mouth are taken to create your custom dentures.
“Try-In” Appointments:
- Several fittings may be needed to ensure proper shape, color, and fit.
Final Placement:
- At the last appointment, your dentist will adjust and place the finished denture to ensure a natural and comfortable fit.

Adjusting to Dentures:

It is normal to experience:
- Increased saliva flow.
- Mild soreness.
- Temporary difficulty with speech and chewing.
These issues typically subside as your muscles and tissues adjust to the new appliance.

Care Instructions:

To maximize the life of your dentures:
- Follow proper cleaning routines for the appliance.
- Maintain good oral hygiene for your gums and any remaining teeth.
- Schedule regular dental check-ups to monitor fit and overall oral health.

With proper care, your dentures can provide a comfortable, functional, and confident smile for years to come.

Dentures & Partial Dentures

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DYNAMIC FAMILY DENTISTRY