RESTORATIVE
It is great news that the incidence of tooth decay has significantly diminished over the years due to the use of fluorides, sealants, and increased patient awareness. However, teeth are still susceptible to decay, infection, and breakage and sometimes need to be restored back to health.
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Fillings
We are happy to be able to offer different options for restoring a tooth back to its normal shape, appearance, and function, and we will work specifically with you to provide the best care possible. We create personalized treatment plans and thoroughly discuss the available options with you and recommend what we believe to be the most comfortable and least invasive treatment. Often the simplest solution is the best solution.
Composite (White)
Composite is a tooth colored resin filling material. We shade match this material specifically to your tooth color. White fillings are great for small fillings, fillings in areas where esthetics are important, great to restore chipped or worn teeth, for diastema closures (filling ‘gaps’ between teeth), and for creating composite veneers (thin layer that goes on the front of your tooth for esthetic purposes).
Endodontic Therapy
Root canal therapy is typically needed when the soft tissue inside the tooth becomes inflamed or infected. The soft tissue, known al the pulp, contains the blood vessels and nerves of the tooth. When the pulp becomes inflamed or infected it can result in tooth pain. Root canal therapy relieves the tooth pain by taking out the inflamed or infected tissue. Root canal therapy is a great way to extend the life of a tooth, and is typically needed when decay extends to the pulp, or when the pulp is injured due to trauma.
Tooth Extractions
- Extracting or “pulling” a tooth, involves removing a tooth from the mouth. Tooth extractions can be performed for many reasons, some of which are listed below.
- Reasons for tooth extractions:
- Extensive tooth decay or damage
- Infection/severe pain
- A tooth preventing another tooth from coming into the mouth
- Example: Baby teeth can block the eruption of permanent teeth
- Baby teeth that do not fall out on their own
- Preparation for orthodontic treatment (braces)
- A tooth that is damaging other teeth
- Example: 3rd molars (wisdom teeth) that are erupting into 2nd molars, causing damage, pain, and sometimes infection
- Non-functional teeth
- Example: a tooth that doesn’t have another tooth to bite against
- Severely periodontal involved or mobile teeth
- Example: advanced bone loss causing teeth to be loose and increasing risk of infection (periodontal abscess)
Amalgam (Silver)
Silver fillings are usually the best option if you are dealing with a back tooth or an area where esthetics are not a concern but functionality is. Silver fillings are great when large fillings are needed, and in areas where more strength is necessary (replacing a large chewing surface for example). These types of fillings are very durable and will last many years when properly taken care of.
Single Crowns
Also referred to as a “cap”, a crown is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface, restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown is most commonly used to protect and strengthen a tooth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. A crown can be made of tooth colored material (ceramic or porcelain), metal, or a combination of materials. Each material has its own advantages which we can discuss with you based on your individual wants and needs. Typically white crowns are used on front teeth, where appearance is most important, and metal crowns are used on back teeth where strength is more important. Common uses for crowns include fixing chipped teeth, broken teeth, or to close gaps between teeth for esthetic reasons.It’s important to know that sometimes when a tooth is broken down and missing a lot of tooth structure, it may require a new foundation (large filling) to help retain and support the crown.
We are happy to be able to offer different options for restoring a tooth back to its normal shape, appearance, and function, and we will work specifically with you to provide the best care possible. We create personalized treatment plans and thoroughly discuss the available options with you and recommend what we believe to be the most comfortable and least invasive treatment. Often the simplest solution is the best solution.
