Fillings
Most patients prefer tooth-colored fillings for the clear improvements in aesthetics. Unlike the silvery-gray amalgam fillings you might have known from the past. Tooth-colored fillings are made of composite resin, which is composed mainly of plastic and silica. They contain no metal or mercury. These fillings are placed in layers with each layer being cured before the next one is added. The fillings bond to your tooth, making it stronger from the inside, and can also be placed in a single visit.
Crowns
Crowns are placed for several reasons. In most cases, the tooth has been broken or severely damaged by decay. As a result, a filling can’t replace enough of the tooth or make the tooth strong enough. Crowns can be made of several materials including:
- Porcelain fused to metal (PFM)
- All porcelain
- Gold – inlays / onlays
- Zirconia (A white metal that looks tooth colored)
Typically, we can design, fit and place your crowns in just a couple of appointments. Once the crown is placed, you can care for it as you do your natural teeth. Conscientious brushing twice a day and daily flossing will protect the crown from bacterial growth.
Bridges
If you’ve lost teeth due to accident, injury, or gum disease, we can create a permanent bridge to restore your solid smile. A bridge not only fills the gap, it prevents repositioning of remaining teeth. It can also correct a misaligned bite, improve chewing function and speech articulation. It also provides internal structure for the face to give you a more youthful appearance.
What is a Fixed Bridge?
A bridge is a prosthetic tooth (or teeth) that attaches on one or both sides to teeth prepared with dental crowns. A fixed bridge is permanently joined onto the neighboring abutment teeth (crowned teeth) and consists of three basic units: the false tooth or teeth (called a pontic) and two abutment crowns.
The style of bridge we suggest will depend upon the strength and health of the abutment teeth, as well as the location of the gap in relation to the rest of your dentition. If healthy adjacent abutment teeth aren’t available, a surgically implanted titanium post, known as a dental implant, may offer a solid alternative. For a more cost-effective treatment to replace many missing teeth, we may recommend a removable partial denture or implant-supported denture. With proper care, a fixed bridge may last at least 8 to 10 years.
Dentures
When you think of dentures, do you imagine the dentures your grandparents used to wear, complete with blocky, artificial-looking teeth? Those dentures are a thing of the past. Today’s dentures look incredibly natural – even from up close. The colors used to create the gums and teeth of your dentures come in a range of shades to help us select dentures that are completely customized to look right for you. The teeth are placed individually to look very realistic.
If you have missing or seriously damaged teeth because of trauma or decay, dentures can give you back your confidence and your life. When you are missing teeth, a lot of things can change. You may find yourself missing out on social situations, especially when they involve food. Your speech will sound different, and you probably look a lot older than you are.
Dentures help to fill out your mouth and can take years off your appearance. New technology allows dentures to fit securely in your mouth so you can eat most foods with confidence. With dentures in place, you will soon find yourself smiling and laughing more, free from worries of what others might think.
There are many different types of dentures available to fit your need, full dentures, partial dentures, immediate dentures and implant supported dentures. Please schedule an appointment today so we may evaluate your needs.