Restorative Dentistry
| Implants Crowns Bridges Dentures/Partial Dentures |
Root Canals Sealants Periodontal Care Oral Surgery |
Dental Implants
Implants are metal posts, which are integrated as part of the upper or lower jawbone. This post is fixed in the jaw and rises above the soft tissue (gums) in the mouth. An individual crown or a bridge may be cemented to the portion of the post, which rises above the soft tissue. An individual implant may be used to restore an area where a single tooth is missing, eliminating the need for dental bridges. Multiple dental implants may be used to restore an edentulous area or a series of missing teeth, removing the need for partials or dentures.
Dental Crowns
Crowns, commonly referred to as caps, are a procedure that includes the reshaping of an entire tooth, reducing it in size by approximately 25%, then covering it with a natural-appearing, lab-fabricated crown. A dental crown can be used to replace a chipped, broken, decayed, misaligned, or discolored tooth.
Back to TopDental Bridges
Bridges are used when a patient is missing one or more teeth, but still have one healthy tooth to both the right and the left of the space. Just as in dental crowns, the teeth to the left and right of the empty space are reshaped, reducing the size of the teeth by 25%. The two shaved teeth act as anchors or "abutments," as a bridge of new teeth cover the two reshaped teeth and fill the empty space at the same time.
Back to TopDentures/Partial Dentures
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and adjacent tissues. It is made of acrylic resin, sometimes in combination with various metals. Complete dentures replace all the teeth, while a partial denture fills in the spaces created by missing teeth and prevents other teeth from changing position. Complete dentures are either "conventional" or "immediate." A conventional denture is placed in the mouth about a month after all of the teeth are removed to allow for proper healing, whereas an immediate denture is placed as soon as the teeth are removed. The drawback behind an immediate denture is that it may require more adjustments after the healing has taken place.
Root Canal Therapy
Inside each tooth is a pulp chamber that contains the nerves and blood supply for the tooth. When the pulp becomes infected due to decay or injury to the tooth, the pulp must be removed from the center of the tooth and the canals of each root. Once the infected pulp is removed, the remaining chamber is filled with a rubber-based material to seal it off. All teeth that have had root canal therapy must be protected with a tooth-like artificial covering known as a crown. This is because teeth that have had the pulp removed are more susceptible to fracture.
Back to TopDental Sealants
Sealants are thin plastic coatings that are painted on the tooth's surface to fill the grooves and pits. The coating is hardened to protect the tooth's surface from decay. The coating can be clear, white, or slightly tinted, but is virtually impossible to see because of its placement on the back molars. Sealants are a great option for the prevention of dental caries (cavities) because they act as a physical barrier to decay. The protection is determined by the sealant's ability to adhere to the tooth.
Back to TopPeriodontal (Gum) Disease
If you have swollen, bleeding gums, you may have periodontal disease. The sooner we eliminate this menace in your mouth, the better. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause serious loss of teeth and bone, and it has recently been linked to heart disease and stroke as well as premature and low weight babies. Treating periodontal disease is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family. We take it seriously, and so should you.
Oral Surgery
Tooth extractions and other minor dental surgeries are performed in our office.
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