Restorations
Dental restorations are intended to bring back the beauty of a smile. The condition of the teeth and procedures that may be required can vary. To see if you may need a dental restoration view the following pages.
DENTURES AND PARTIAL DENTURES
- Dentures are a removable appliance that replaces missing teeth
- Complete dentures are used when all the teeth in the upper or lower arch are missing
- Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain
- Conventional dentures are used after all the teeth have been removed and the gum tissue has healed
- Immediate dentures are made in advance and used right after the teeth have been removed, preventing the patient from being without teeth during the healing process
- Dentures are durable and will last many years, but they may require repair, adjustment or remaking due to normal wear
- Dentures require several appointments over a few weeks
ROOT CANAL THERAPY
- Root canals are necessary when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection or when injury or trauma to that tooth call for this procedure
- Root canals save teeth that would otherwise die and have to be removed
- Removing teeth will ultimately be more costly and cause significant problems to adjacent teeth
- Root canals require one or more visits and are preferably performed by an endodontist
FIXED BRIDGES
- Fixed (non-removable) durable appliance
- Fills the space of one or more missing teeth
- Maintains facial shape and prevents teeth from “drifting”
- Restores speaking and chewing ability
- Requires 2 or more visits
- Restores your occlusion (bite) and smile
COMPOSITE FILLINGS
- Tooth colored
- Used to repair chipped, cracked or broken teeth
- Used to restore decayed or worn teeth
- Usually placed in a single appointment
- Very durable with proper home care and diet, which will prolong their longevity
CROWNS
- A crown encases the entire tooth restoring its size and shape
- Used on teeth that cannot be restored with fillings
- Several types of materials and porcelains used – case dependent
- Usually requires 2 appointments
- A temporary crown will be in place between appointments
- Very durable and esthetic
IMPLANTS
- Implants are an artificial root (non-visible part of the tooth) that a periodontist or an oral surgeon places in the jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge
- Implants can support a bridge, eliminating the need for a partial denture, or a full denture, making it more secure, comfortable and less bulky than conventional dentures
- Implants are often a better choice than a fixed bridge because the neighboring teeth can be left intact
- Teeth replaced using implants have a very natural look and feel
- Implants can last a lifetime under proper conditions