General Dentistry

Composite Fillings

Fillings are used to replace tooth structure that has been removed in order to get rid of decay.

For many reasons, more and more dentists are using tooth-colored composite resin material for fillings. Caught early enough, tooth decay can be treated easily and painlessly. If it is not treated, tooth decay can lead to pain and/or infection requiring root canal treatment or extraction.

Crowns

A crown is used to cover and protect a tooth which is likely to break, or is too broken down to be restored with a filling. Crowns are most commonly used to protect a tooth after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole in the tooth that was made by tooth decay, the more likely that tooth will need a crown to protect it.

Your jaw muscles are the strongest muscles in your body. Teeth are subject to tremendous pressures in day-to-day use. A crown covers the weakened tooth, protecting it from breaking under the pressure. A broken or cracked tooth is a serious matter which can be difficult to treat.

It takes two appointments to restore a tooth with a crown. At the first of these appointments, any decay is removed from the tooth and it is shaped to fit the crown. Then, an impression of the tooth is made. This impression is used in making the crown, to ensure that it fits your mouth. Between the first and second visits, the crown is made. It is usually made of high-strength porcelain covering a foundation that is made of either a gold alloy, an all-ceramic material, or gold. In between the two appointments, a temporary crown is worn. At the second visit, this temporary crown is removed and the permanent crown is cemented in place.

Bridges

A bridge is an option that is used to fill the space created by a missing tooth. It looks like the missing tooth. The sides of a bridge use the tooth in front and the tooth in back of the bridge for support. A bridge replaces a missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Bridge work is as much an art as it is a science. The materials used for the bridge may be gold alloys, porcelain bonded to a metal alloy, or an all-ceramic material. The choice of material depends on what is needed for strength, wear, and/or aesthetics.

It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible. If it is not treated, the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, which leads to a chain reaction of bad things. Normally, teeth use their neighbors for support, and with one missing, they start to "fall." As this worsens, the bite changes in response to pressure from daily use. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw. The surrounding teeth begin to deteriorate and unless this deterioration is handled, it is just a matter of time before they too are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem which becomes more difficult to treat as the neglect continues.

Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy, or endodontic therapy, is necessary when decay has been neglected to the point that the infection reaches all the way to the pulp of the tooth. This is a good reason to have teeth checked regularly and decay treated as soon as it is detected.

In some cases, in order to treat decay, a dental restoration is required to go so deep into the tooth that the nerve is injured and needs root canal therapy. It may also be required if there is trauma to a tooth that damages the nerve.

Damage to the nerve can result in an infection which, if left untreated, can spread past the root tip and begin to eat away at the bone that surrounds the tooth. At this point, the infection can even begin to weaken the entire immune system. This is dangerous, and also very painful.

Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include: sensitivity to hot or cold, to sweets or pressure on the tooth. There may be pain, swelling, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms and the person is unaware of any problem until they have a checkup.

A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp and disinfect the canals of the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal or canals involved are filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and crown are recommended to restore a tooth that has had root canal therapy. The alternative to root canal therapy is extraction.

Dentures

Dentures replace teeth that have become loose, or that have been lost due to bone loss around the roots of teeth. With dentures, you can still eat and talk regularly.

In determining the need for dentures, the entire mouth is examined. An evaluation is made regarding which teeth will have to be removed, and which will remain. The loose teeth are then extracted and dentures are fitted. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and they can take some getting used to. After this adjustment period, normal dental functions and appearance return. Often implants can be used to further stabilize dentures.

Our office also offers Valplast partials; a flexible, unbreakable, removable partial that is lightweight, practically invisible, and metal free. Just ask us for more information.

Tooth Extractions

You may need a tooth extraction for any number of reasons. Some teeth are extracted because they are decayed, others may have advanced periodontal disease or may have broken in a fashion which cannot be repaired. Other teeth may have to be removed because they are poorly positioned in the mouth, such as impacted wisdom teeth. Teeth that are malpositioned or crowded may have to be extracted in preparation for orthodontic treatment.

When a tooth is missing its neighboring teeth tend to shift, sometimes significantly, which in turn can have a major impact on your dental health. Even the removal of a single tooth can lead to problems. To avoid these complications we recommend that you replace the tooth that has been extracted. There are a number of options available to replace missing teeth including dental implants and dental bridges.