IMPLANT RESTORATION
A dental implant is the most advanced technology to replace a missing tooth. In this procedure, a small titanium post is surgically implanted into the bone and allowed to set. The bone grows around it forming a tight connection, which has the additional benefit of slowing or stopping the bone loss that occurs when the root of a natural tooth is missing. Once the implant is firmly set in the mouth, our dentists then attach the replacement tooth onto the top of the post. This permanent solution has the advantages over bridge work that it does not stress the surrounding teeth for support, and, should the tooth wear out, another can simply be replaced on the post.Implants can also be used as support as part of an implant bridge. This is an alternative to partial dentures, and has several advantages. First, there is no adjustment period to acclimatize the patient who, once the work is done, only feels teeth, not metal supports intruding into the mouth. Second, this slows the bone loss occasioned by missing teeth. Third, there is no discomfort or difficulty in eating. Best of all, implants never have to be taken out of the mouth like a denture. At our office, we are equipped to restore existing restorations, but we will refer you an oral surgeon if you require a new implant.
CROWNS
Crowns are full coverage restorations that are used to cover a tooth that is likely to break, or is too damaged to be restored with a filling. Crowns are often required after root canal treatment, or when a large filling wears out. The larger the hole made by a cavity that has to be treated, the more likely a crown will be needed. Even after a filling is put in a large cavity, a tooth is more likely to break. Keep in mind that the jaw muscles are the strongest in the human body, so teeth are subjected to tremendous pressures. Crowns ride over the weakened tooth, providing strength and protecting the tooth against breakage. A broken or cracked tooth is a far more serious matter and much more difficult to treat. Crowns prevent this, as well as perfecting your smile.Crowns require two appointments. During the first appointment, our dentist will remove any decay from the tooth, prepare the tooth to support your new crown, and fit a tooth-colored temporary crown. Between your visits, your new crown will be fabricated using modern tooth-colored porcelain materials that will custom match your smile. In the second visit, your temporary crown is removed, the permanent crown is adjusted as needed and cemented in place. You leave with a comfortable, beautiful new smile.
BRIDGES
Bridges are an option for filling the space created by a missing tooth. It is formed to look like the missing tooth. The sides of a bridge use the two surrounding teeth for support, hence the name. A bridge replaces the missing tooth, both functionally and cosmetically. Our dentists work hard to maintain the beauty of your smile with all porcelain (no metal) or porcelain infused to metal bridges. The choice of material depends on requirements for strength, wear, and/or esthetics.It is important that a missing tooth be replaced as soon as possible for several reasons. If not treated the teeth surrounding the gap begin to shift inward, creating a chain reaction within the mouth. Teeth use their neighbors for support, so with one missing, they start to "fall." As this worsens, the bite changes in response to the pressure. This can eventually result in problems with the entire jaw, (e.g. TMJ). The surrounding teeth deteriorate and over time they, too, are lost. Gum disease becomes a serious problem, with the difficulty of treatment increasing as time passes.
FILLINGS
Fillings are performed to remove decay, and replace the affected tooth structure. Our offices use only the latest in composite (tooth colored) fillings. Caught early enough, cavities can be treated easily. Left untreated, decay can lead to tooth pain and/or infection.
NON-SURGICAL GUM TREATMENTS
The gums, ligaments, and bone around the teeth form the foundation for ones teeth. All structures are also referred to as the periodontium. When the periodontium is not healthy, it jeopardizes the teeth just as a bad foundation would threaten the stability of a house. Signs of unhealthy periodontium (gum disease) may be as follows: gums that are red and bleed easily, persistent bad breath, gums that are pulled away from the tooth, loose teeth, and changes in the position or bite of the teeth. Any of these signs may mean something is wrong. With the proper care, however, it may be possible to return them to a healthy state. This is where appropriate gum treatments come in. If you're having a problem, come in and see us so we can take care of it right away. The treatment usually involves a deep cleaning or root planing done under a local anesthetic. If the gum disease gets too severe it may need to be treated through surgery or extraction, which is why it is important to get it treated at the first sign of a problem.
TMJ TREATMENTS / NIGHT GUARDS
TMJ stands for temporal-mandibular joint. Temporal, as in temple area of skull; mandibular as in mandible, or lower jaw; joint as in it's where the head and jaw meet. Problems in this joint may be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Aside from the two bones that meet there, cartilage buffers them and five muscles are involved in the area. If something goes wrong a good deal of trouble can result. Problems in this area can cause headaches, earaches, trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth, clicking or popping of the jaw, pain in the jaw muscles and/or soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face.Dental treatments for the condition can include replacing missing teeth, moving teeth, and adjusting the bite. Often your dentist will create a custom night guard, which is a plastic mouthpiece is used to prevent clenching or grinding that is contributing to the problem. If untreated and taken to extremes, surgery may be required to repair a badly damaged joint.
ROOT CANAL TREATMENT
Root canal treatment (also referred to as root canal therapy or endodontic therapy) is made necessary when a cavity is reaches all the way to this pulp. Regular cleanings and checkups prevent and detect problems early. Sometimes deep restorations or trauma to a tooth may cause the nerve to be damaged to the point it needs root canal therapy. Once this occurs, the pulp becomes infected, and can even extend through the root tip and begin to eat away at the surrounding bone (called an abscess). By the time the pulp is infected it must be treated, and cannot heal on its own. Symptoms that the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, however, no symptoms are apparent and the person is unaware of any problem until a checkup.A root canal is then performed to clean out the infected tooth pulp, and disinfect the canals of the tooth. The only other treatment is to extract the tooth. Once the infection is resolved, the canal(s) are filled in to prevent any further infection. Usually a core build-up and crown is recommended for restoring a tooth that has had root canal therapy. Our dentists can perform simple root canal treatments in office, or often our team works with a local, trusted Endodontist to perform this service.
DENTURES
There are different types of dentures, but they share their common function. They replace teeth that have become loose or been lost due to bone loss. When bone loss around the roots of teeth is great enough to loosen them or let them fall out, dentures may be a solution. The entire mouth is examined and a determination is made as to which teeth will have to be removed, and which will remain. The loose teeth are then extracted. Dentures are fitted to go over or around whatever teeth remain in the mouth, depending on the type. There is an adjustment period after dentures are placed in the mouth, and it can take some getting used to. But once accustomed to the dentures, all the normal functionality and appearance return and one just carries on as usual. Often implants can used to further stabilize the dentures. Most often our dentists will work with a specialist to fit dentures if required.