Restorations

COMPOSITE & AMALGAM

FILLINGS

restorations tooth fillings

How are composite fillings placed?

Composite fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove decay, as necessary. The space will then be thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. If the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection. The composite filling will then be shaped, and polished, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.

It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when composite fillings are first placed, however this will subside shortly after your tooth acclimates to the new filling.

You will be given care instructions at the conclusion of your treatment. Good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new fillings.

Composite

A composite (tooth colored) filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a composite filling.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are the most widely used today.

Because composite fillings are tooth colored, they can be closely matched to the color of existing teeth and are more aesthetically suited for use in front teeth or the more visible areas of the teeth.

As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are exceptionally durable, and will last many years, giving you a long lasting, beautiful smile.

Reasons For Composite Fillings

Chipped Teeth

Closing Spaces

Cracked or Broken Teeth

Decayed Teeth

Worn Teeth

Amalgam

A silver amalgam filling is used to repair a tooth that is affected by decay, cracks, fractures, etc. The decayed or affected portion of the tooth will be removed and then filled with a silver filling.

There are many types of filling materials available, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. You and your dentist can discuss the best options for restoring your teeth.

Amalgam fillings, along with composite (tooth colored) fillings, are the most widely used today. An amalgam filling is more commonly used in the back teeth since the color is less visually appealing than a composite filling.

As with most dental restorations, amalgam fillings are not permanent and may someday need replacement. They are exceptionally durable, and will last many years, giving you a long-lasting smile.

Reasons For Amalgam Fillings

Cracked or Broken Teeth

Decayed Teeth

Worn Teeth

What does getting an amalgam filling involve?

Amalgam fillings are usually placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb, your dentist will remove decay, as necessary. The space will then be thoroughly cleansed and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. If the decay was near the nerve of the tooth, a special medication will be applied for added protection. The silver filling will then be precisely placed, shaped, and polished, restoring your tooth to its original shape and function.

It is normal to experience sensitivity to hot and cold when amalgam fillings are first placed, however this will subside shortly after your tooth acclimates to the new filling.

You will be given post-care instructions at the completion of your treatment. Proper oral hygiene, good eating habits, and regular dental visits will aid in the life of your new fillings.

Reasons For Crowns

Broken or Fractured Teeth

Cosmetic Enhancement

Decayed Teeth

Fractured Fillings

Large Fillings

Tooth has a Root Canal

A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. A crown protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.

Although there are several types of crowns, porcelain (tooth colored crown) is the most popular.

They are exceptionally durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. Porcelain crowns are made to match the shape, size, and color or your teeth giving you a natural, long-lasting beautiful smile.

What does getting a crown involve?

A crown procedure usually requires two appointments. Your first appointment will include taking several highly accurate molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. A mold will also be used to create a temporary crown which will stay on your tooth for approximately two weeks until your new crown is fabricated by a dental laboratory.

While the tooth is numb, the dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any decay and shaping the surface to properly fit the crown. Once these details are accomplished, your temporary crown will be placed with temporary cement and your bite will be checked to ensure you are biting properly.

At your second appointment your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be carefully placed to ensure the spacing and bite are accurate.

You will be given care instructions and encouraged to have regular dental visits to check your new crown.

FIXED BRIDGES

There are several types of bridges. You and your dentist will discuss the best options for your case. The “traditional bridge” is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal. This type of bridge consists to two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth (abutment teeth) and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth.

Dental bridges are highly durable and will last many years, however they may need replacement or need to be re-cemented due to normal wear.

Reasons For 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

ROOT CANAL

THERAPY

Reasons For Root Canal Therapy

Decay has Reached

the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)

Infection or Abscess

have developed inside the tooth or at the root tip

Injury or Trauma

to the tooth
Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by decay or infection. To save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed, and the resulting space is filled with special, medicated, dental materials, which restore the tooth to its full function.

Having a root canal done on a tooth is the treatment of choice to save a tooth that otherwise would die and must be removed. Many patients believe that removing a tooth that has problems is the solution, but what is not realized is that extracting (pulling) a tooth will be more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.

Signs & Symptoms

An Abscess

(or pimple) on the gums

Sensitivity

to hot and cold

Severe

toothache pain

Swelling

and/or tenderness

Sometimes

no symptoms are present