Composite Fillings
A composite is a tooth colored filling and is most widely used as it can be closely matched with the existing tooth. This is also best suited for visible teeth. There are a variety of different filling materials available. Ask your dentist which option is best for you as they each offer their own advantages and disadvantages.
Composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.
Usually a composite filling is placed in the duration of one appointment. Initially after your tooth is numb, the dentist will remove all decay and clean tooth prior to placing new filling. Sometimes, The decay is near the nerve and it requires special medication for added protection. In many occasions, sensitivity to hot or cold may occur once placed. However, it will subside once the filling is shaped, polished and restored to its original shape. Good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular dental visits will help in the life of your new fillings.
Reasons for composite fillings:
- Chipped teeth
- Closing space between teeth
- Cracked or Broken teeth
- Decayed teeth
- Worn teeth
Crowns
With a crown the tooth is protected, covered and encased restoring it to its original shape and size. There are many different types of crowns. Porcelain crowns are extremely durable and made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth giving a more natural smile.
In most cases a crown procedure usually requires two appointments. During your first initial visit several accurate molds (impressions) will be used to create a temporary and new crown. The dentist will then numb the tooth and prepare it by removing all decay and shaping the surface to properly fit crown. The crown will then be placed with temporary cement followed by a bite check to ensure your biting properly. The temporary crown will be placed on your tooth for about two weeks or until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory. Then at your next visit, a temporary crown will be removed, tooth will be cleaned and replaced with your new crown. The dentist will then ensure the bite and spacing are accurate.
Regular dental visits are recommended to check your new crown.
Reasons for crowns:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured filling
- Large filling
- Tooth has a root canal
Dental Implants
Dental implants are artificially natural looking roots and teeth providing a fixed and great solution to replacing missing teeth. They are surgically placed on to the upper or lower jaw bone and last many years. Sometimes due to normal wear they may have to be re-tightened or replaced.
Getting implants requires a numerous amounts of visits over several months. During you first visit, x-rays and impressions of your jaw and teeth will be taken to determine bone, gum tissue, and spacing available for implant. After numbing the area, the implant will be surgically placed into the bone allowing it to heal and integrate onto the bone. In some cases, a second surgery is required. After several weeks of healing, one to two months of several fittings may be required. Good oral hygiene, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new implant.
Reasons for dental implants:
- Replace one or more missing teeth without affecting adjacent teeth
- Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space
- Restore a patient's confident smile
- Restore chewing, speech, and digestion
- Restore or enhance facial tissue
- Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable
Dentures & Partial Dentures
Dentures are removable dental appliances made to resemble your natural teeth. They are very durable but sometimes have to be repaired, reajusted or even remade due to normal wear.
Getting dentures requires several appointments. During your first few appointments, impressions & measurements will be taken to create your very own, highly accurate, customized dentures. Then at your final appointment, the complete denture will be placed to ensure you receive a natural, comfortable, and perfect fit. To lengthen the life of your dentures, it is encouraged to thoroughly clean your appliance, have good hygiene, and visit the dentist regularly.
Types of dentures:
Full Dentures - designed to replace all missing teeth.
Partial Dentures - designed to replace a few missing teeth (in a row), and prevents others from shifting.
Immediate dentures are inserted on the same day and conventional dentures are placed once the gum tissue is healed, which could take 4 to 6 weeks.
Reasons for dentures:
- Complete dentures - Loss of all teeth in an arch
- Partial Dentures - Loss of several teeth in an arch
- Enhancing smile and facial tissues
- Improving chewing, speech, and digestion
Fixed Bridges
Fixed bridges are a great way to replace missing teeth. These non-removable appliances are usually made of porcelain fused to metal. A bridge consistst of two crowns that cover two anchoring teeth bonded with a pontice (artificial tooth) to fill in gaped space. Fixed bridges last many years and are extremely durable. Sometime they may need to be recemented due to normal wear.
Getting bridges requires a couple of visits. At your first visit, the dentist will prepare the anchoring teeth by removing a portion of the enamel. Then after your impressions (mold) are made, they will be sent to a dental laboratory where your bridge will be constructed. You will then be supplied with a temporary bridge until your new one is ready. Once your new bridge is ready, it will be adjusted and cemented to ensure a perfect fit. It's highly recommended and encouraged to properly floss, brush, and visit the dentist regularly to prolong the life of your new permanent appliance.
Reasons for a fixed bridge:
- Fill space of missing teeth
- Maintain facial shape
- Prevent remaining teeth from drifting out of position
- Restore chewing and speaking ability
- Restore your smile
- Upgrade from a removable partial denture to a permanent dental appliance
Inlay Restorations
Inlay restoration is a custom made filling that uses composite material, tooth colored porcelain, or gold. Inlay restoration is made in a dental laboratory, and it's cemented into the tooth permanently by the dentist. Since inlays are a conservative approach to repairing teeth, it is used for defective fillings, decay, or trauma. The most conventional inlay and composite fillings are silver. Unlike a crown, an inlay restoration is less evasive. Though inlay restoration repairs the tooth, it is not necessarly permanent and may need to be replaced. However, it is extremely proficient, and with quality care, it can last many years with a beautiful smile!
An inlay restoration involves two dental visits. The first visit includes an evaluation that incorporates several impressions that will be used to create a custom inlay. During the procedure, when the tooth is numb, the decay and/or filling material removal will occur. The space will be completely cleaned, prepped, and shaped to ensure proper fitting of the inlay restoration. During this visit, a temporary filling will be applied while your inlay is being made. On the second visit, the new inlay will be properly fitted and carefully cemented into place. With a few adjustments to ensure a proper fit, it will be secured and made comfortable for your bite.
In order to maintain the inlay restoration, it is recommended to practice good oral hygiene, a proper diet, and schedule routine dental check ups to ensure your inlay restoration will be long lasting.
Reasons for inlay restorations:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Large Fillings
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured filling
Onlay Restorations
Onlay restorations are the use of composite material in order to create a custom made filling. The material could be gold or tooth-colored porcelain. An onlay has often been called a partial crown. This has been created in a professional dental laboratory, and your dentist will make cement onlay onto tooth. Onlays are used to repair teeth that have large defective fillings, decay, or trauma. Since onlays are less evasive, it is an ideal alternative to crowns. Basically, onlays are identical to inlays, however the exception is that one or more of the chewing cusps have been affected and need to be included in the restoration. Similar to other dental restorations, only is not necessary permanent and could require replacement. However, they are extremely efficient and durable making your smile better than ever.
An onlay procedure can require two appointments. The first appointment is an evaluation that involves several highly efficient impressions that will be used to mold a custom onlay and temporary restoration. After numbing the tooth, the decay, filling, or fractured teeth will be removed. The space will be clean proficiently and prepped, making the area properly shaped to ensure a proper fit. There will be a temporary filling that is used to protect the tooth while the onlay becomes fitted. Onlay's are made in a dental laboratory. On your second visit, the new onlay will be fitted and carefully set with the use of cement to create a permanent placement. There may be a few adjustments, however, this is done to ensure comfortable fit and a successful restoration.
Once your onlay restoration is applied, maintain good oral hygiene, practice a proper diet, and regularly schedule routine dental visits, which will make the onlay have a longer lifespan.
Reasons for onlay restorations:
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Fractured filling
- Decayed teeth
- Large Fillings
