Restorative

Composite Resin Fillings (Tooth colored filling)

The tooth is prepared for filling by removing decay and then applying a conditioner. A bonding agent is brushed on and light cured. The final stage is the tooth colored filling being placed and light cured. The tooth is then shaped and polished. With tooth colored fillings, there is no need to wait for the material to harden. As soon as you leave the office you may have something to eat. With freezing, be cautious of not biting the tongue and cheek until the freezing has worn off.

Advantages:

• Protects the tooth
• Strong and durable
• Withstands biting forces
• The tooth is color matched to the neighboring teeth

Silver filling

A silver filling is a reliable material that is mainly used on the back teeth. The procedure requires removal of decay followed by the placement of the silver filling. The filling is then shaped and checked for bite. Silver fillings require 24 hours to harden, so you must chew on the other side during this time.

Advantages:

• Amalgam fillings protect the tooth
• Strong and durable
• Withstands heavy biting forces

Post Op

After a silver filling is placed:

• Don’t chew hard foods or chew directly on the filling for 24 hours until it is hard-set.
• If possible, chew on other side of the mouth, (1) to protect the filling and (2) to avoid biting the lip if still frozen.
• Brush and floss as normal.
• If teeth are sensitive to cold/hot or pressure, use desensitizing toothpaste.
• If sensitivity continues beyond a few days and wakes you up at night, give us a call.
• To reduce discomfort or swelling, rinse three times a day with warm salt water (1 tsp. salt per glass of warm water).

Crowns are used to restore fillings after root canals or to repair a cracked tooth. The procedure is similar to a bridge but only requires a single tooth be shaped. We offer a variety of custom made crowns from porcelain fused to metal, porcelain only crowns, full gold and veneers.

A bridge is used in place of missing teeth to stabilize your bite. A bridge consists of an artificial tooth that is connected to neighboring teeth. The procedure requires shaping the neighboring teeth and taking impressions. The impressions are then sent to the lab for the making of a customized bridge. In the meantime, we will insert a temporary bridge that will be in place until your next appointment. The second appointment requires the cementing of the customized bridge and checking the bite.

Advantages of a Bridge:

• Replaces teeth
• Keeps teeth from shifting
• Restores neighboring teeth
• Stabilizes bite

An implant is a great choice to replace a missing tooth. A titanium post is inserted in place of the missing tooth and supported by a customized crown. The artificial tooth root is placed at a specialist’s office and the crown portion is done at our office.

A dental inlay is similar to a filling, only it is made specially at a lab and is cemented into place during a follow up appointment. An inlay can be made of porcelain or gold. Inlays are usually reserved for back teeth.

An onlay restoration protects, covers and/or reinforces one or more cusps of a tooth.

Advantages of dental inlays:

• If a porcelain inlay is chosen, the restoration is very natural looking.
• Very durable and long lasting.
• Materials used for the inlays do not stain.
•  Prevents decay by sealing the affected tooth.

Complete dentures are a comfortable and quick way to replace a full set of missing teeth. Partial dentures replace one or more missing teeth. Whether you are missing several teeth or all of them, dentures can be made to comfortably fit your mouth and enable you to eat, speak and smile with a complete set of teeth.

To create dentures, we take impressions of your mouth. An accurate model of your teeth is made from these impressions. This model is used to create a denture framework. In some cases, a wax replica of the final denture is created for you to try. This is used to confirm the color, position, shape of the teeth, and the fit between your upper and lower teeth. We then send the wax model and any adjustments back to the lab to create the final denture. When it’s ready, you’ll try it and make any necessary adjustments.

There are many benefits to having partial dentures. They prevent the shifting of your teeth, balance your bite and provide support for lips and cheeks for a more attractive appearance. This enables you to have a functional bite and a natural looking smile.