Fillings
Teeth that have
been affected by tooth decay (caries or cavities) require a filling. There
are many different types of fillings, including:
Dental Amalgams
Also known as silver fillings, are comprised of a mixture of mercury (45
to 50 percent), and an alloy of silver, tin, and copper (50 to 55 percent).
When it is combined with other materials in dental amalgam, mercury's
chemical nature changes and it is no longer considered harmful to the
body.
Composite Resins
Also know as white fillings, a composite resin is a tooth-colored plastic
mixture filled with glass (silicon dioxide) that is used primarily for
cosmetic improvements of the smile by changing the color of the teeth
or reshaping disfigured teeth.
Other alternatives to restoring damaged or decayed teeth:
Porcelain veneers - a ceramic material is bonded to the
front of teeth to change the tooth's color, size, and/or shape
Crown - a "cap" that covers a cracked or broken
tooth, unfixed by a filling, to approximate its normal size and shape
Cast Gold restorations - this type of restoration is
often more costly and may require more than one dental fitting.
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Crowns
(Caps)
A crown (or cap) is a covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring
it to its original shape and size. A crown protectsand 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) are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they will 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.
Dental
Bridge
A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an
excellent way to replace missing teeth.
There are several types of bridges. You and your dentist will discuss
the best options for your particular case. The “traditional bridge”
is the most popular type and is usually made of porcelain fused to metal.
Porcelain fixed bridges are most popular because they resemble your natural
teeth. 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.
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Dentures: complete dentures are used to replace teeth when there are no
teeth remaining. The teeth are prefabricated acrylic or porcelain which
come in many sizes, shapes, and shades. They are processed into a custom
made acrylic base which is made to intimately and comfortably fit the
gum tissue in your mouth.
Partials: A partial denture is a removable appliance
that replaces missing teeth. It is held in place by your existing teeth.
It is important that these teeth be healthy in order to support your partial;
often they may need treatment prior to making the partial.
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A
dental implant is an artificial tooth root that a periodontist places
into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are
an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a
tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason.
While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving
than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring
teeth for support.
Dental implants are so natural-looking and feeling, you may forget you
ever lost a tooth.You know that your confidence about your teeth affects
how you feel about yourself, both personally and professionally. Perhaps
you hide your smile because of spaces from missing teeth. Maybe your dentures
don't feel secure. Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. If you are missing
one or more teeth and would like to smile, speak and eat again with comfort
and confidence, there is good news! Dental implants are teeth that can
look and feel just like your own! Under proper conditions, such as placement
by a periodontist and diligent patient maintenance, implants can last
a lifetime. Long-term studies continue to show improving success rates
for implants.
What Dental
Implants Can Do?
Replace one or more teeth without affecting bordering teeth.
Support a bridge and eliminate the need for a removable partial denture.
Provide support for a denture, making it more secure and comfortable.
Advantages of
Dental Implants Over Dentures or a Bridge
Every way you look at it, dental implants are a better solution to the
problem of missing teeth.
Esthetic Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth! Since dental
implants integrate into the structure of your bone, they prevent the bone
loss and gum recession that often accompany bridgework and dentures. No
one will ever know that you have a replacement tooth.
Tooth-saving Dental implants don't sacrifice the quality of your adjacent
teeth like a bridge does because neighboring teeth are not altered to
support the implant. More of your own teeth are left untouched, a significant
long-term benefit to your oral health!
Confidence Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat
with comfort and confidence! They are secure and offer freedom from the
irksome clicks and wobbles of dentures. They'll allow you to say goodbye
to worries about misplaced dentures and messy pastes and glues.
Reliable The success rate of dental implants is highly predictable. They
are considered an excellent option for tooth replacement.
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Root canal therapy is needed when the nerve of a tooth is affected by
decay or infection. In order 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 have to 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 ultimately be
more costly and cause significant problems for adjacent teeth.
Root canal treatment is highly successful and usually lasts a lifetime,
although on occasion, a tooth will have to be retreated due to new infections.
Signs and
symptoms for possible root canal therapy:
• An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
• Sensitivity to hot and cold
• Severe toothache pain
• Sometimes no symptoms are present
• Swelling and/or tenderness
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
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A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of a face. With dentistry's many advances, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth. You now have choices that can help you smile with confidence.
Even the most subtle change in your smile can make a dramatic difference
in the way you look and feel about yourself. Talk to your dentist about
the options most suitable for you, what your expectations are and the
dental fees involved. Some options are:
Tooth whitening (
bleaching)
Brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Bleaching may be done
completely in the dental office or the dentist may dispense a system for
you to use at home.
Bonding
can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked,
stained, or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials
are applied, or bonded, to the tooth surface.
Enamel shaping
involves modifying teeth to improve their appearance by removing or contouring
enamel. The process, which often is combined with bonding, usually is
quick and comfortable and the results can be seen immediately.
Veneers are
thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made
of tooth-colored materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth
and teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped
or slightly crooked.
Braces
are not just for kids. Orthodontics may be needed if teeth are crooked,
crowded or do not meet properly. If your dentist thinks you should see
a specialist for treatment, he or she will refer you to an orthodontist.
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Pediatric Dentistry
Dental Care for the developmentally disabled
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