Restorative Dentistry

Composite Bonding

Composite bonding is often used to repair chipped or cracked teeth, to reduce unsightly gaps, or to hide discoloration of the teeth. You can learn more about composite bonding here.

Crowns

A crown is a permanent covering that fits over an original tooth that is either decayed, damaged, or cracked. Crowns are made of a variety of different materials, such as zirconia, porcelain, gold, acrylic resin, or a mix of these materials.

The treatment plan for a patient receiving a crown involves:

• Numbing the tooth to remove the decay in or around it
• Re-sculpturing the tooth to provide an ideal fit for the crown
• Making an impression of your teeth in order to create a custom-made crown (usually takes three weeks)
• Making a temporary crown out of acrylic resin or pre-formed metal and fitting it onto the tooth during the interim period when the permanent custom-made crown is being created
• Applying the permanent crown (when received from the lab) by removing the temporary crown and fitting the permanent one onto the tooth (this does not require anesthesia)
• After ensuring that the crown has the proper look and fit, and confirming your approval, cementing it into place

This process generally consists of two visits over a three-to-four week period.

Once the procedure is completed, proper dental hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, is required to maintain healthy, bacteria-free teeth, gums, and crowns. Given proper care, your crowns can last a lifetime.

Bridges

A bridge is a dental device that fills a space previously occupied by a tooth. Bridges safeguard the integrity of existing teeth, prevent shifting that can lead to bite or jaw problems and periodontal disease, as well as help maintain a healthy, vibrant smile.
There are three types of bridges:

Fixed Bridge

The most common type, a fixed bridge consists of a filler tooth that is attached to two crowns. It fits over the existing teeth, which hold the bridge in place.

The “Maryland” Bridge

Commonly used to replace missing front teeth, the Maryland bridge features a filler tooth that is attached to metal bands, which are then bonded to neighboring teeth. The metal bands are made of a white composite resin that matches the color of your existing teeth.

The Cantilever Bridge

The cantilever bridge is often used when there are teeth on only one side of the span. A typical three-unit cantilever bridge consists of two crowned teeth positioned next to each other on the same side of the missing tooth space. The filler tooth is then connected to the two crowned teeth, which extend into the missing tooth space or end.

Dental Implants

Dental implants were originally invented a century ago to secure loose-fitting dentures. Since then, advancements in technology have made dental implants useful in replacing missing, lost, or severely damaged teeth. We offer a full dental arch replacement with dental implants. This process securely attaches an overdenture to abutments implanted into the jaw. Single tooth implants are an excellent way to replacing missing or lost teeth.

Proper oral hygiene is especially important for patients who have dental implants. Bacteria can attack sensitive areas in the mouth when teeth and gums are not properly cleaned, thus causing gums to swell and jaw bones to gradually recede. Recession of the jawbone will weaken implants and eventually make it necessary for the implant to be removed. Patients are advised to visit their dentist at least twice a year to ensure the health of their teeth and implants. Dental implants can last for decades when given proper care.

Dentures

Periodontal disease, injury, and tooth decay can all cause a loss of your natural teeth. However, we can put the smile back on your face using dentures. With improved technology and updated materials, dentists can now make dentures appear more natural and feel more comfortable for the patient.

There are two types of dentures: complete and partial. Complete dentures cover the patient’s entire jaw while partial dentures, with their metal framework, replace multiple missing teeth.

It may take some time to adjust to your dentures. Speaking and eating may feel different at first, but these regular activities will resume normally once you are accustomed to your dentures.