General Dentistry

If you have broken fillings, old mercury or silver-amalgam fillings, they can be easily removed and replaced with far more attractive tooth-colored fillings.

Metal-free fillings are a wonderful way to esthetically restore a decayed tooth to health. Tooth-colored composite resin fillings are not only beautiful and unnoticeable, but also add strength to weakened teeth. These restorations are more conservative than metal and they require less drilling of healthy tooth structure.

Composite resin dental fillings were created as an alternative to metal dental fillings. Composite fillings will not only strengthen the tooth providing a greater longevity and beauty than the amalgam ones, but it is far less damaging to the healthy tooth. The resin securely bonds to further support the remaining tooth structure, which helps prevent breakage and damage to your tooth. Since the resin used in non-metal restorations contain fluoride, this can also help prevent decay.

Every tooth has its own blood and nerve supply, referred to as the pulp tissue, which is centrally located inside structures called root canals. The pulp tissue is responsible for maintaining the health and vitality of the tooth. Trauma inflicted upon the tooth, such as through decay or fracture, can cause the pulp tissue to become infected.

To resolve this infection, the pulp tissue must be removed, either through extraction of the tooth or via root canal therapy. Root canal therapy involves accessing and removing the diseased tissue, disinfecting the surrounding tooth structure and sealing the canals with a gentle, biocompatible material.

Following root canal therapy, a tooth is highly at risk for fracture because the life of the tooth has been removed, therefore causing the tooth to become very brittle. For this reason, a crown is usually recommended in order to protect the tooth from fracture and also to better seal it off from bacteria.

When a tooth has sustained significant damage through decay, fracture or other disease, a filling cannot adequately repair the tooth. Often times a more permanent, stable restoration is recommended to strengthen the tooth and protect it from further damage.

Inlays, onlays and crowns are all restorations that can serve this purpose; the main difference between them is the amount of tooth structure that needs to be protected. Inlays are placed within the walls of the tooth; onlays are placed to cross over one or more sides of the tooth; and a crown completely covers the tooth. All of these restorations are fabricated by a laboratory and can be made of porcelain, gold or a combination of both.The material that is selected is dependent upon the individual patient’s needs. Because these restorations are made outside the mouth, they can be composed of far more durable materials than fillings, and therefore last much longer, even up to 30 years.

Inlays and onlays are dental restorations that are used when a cavity is large but the surrounding tooth is healthy. Inlays and onlays are also used to replace unsightly, old fillings with restorations that closely match your natural tooth color. These restorations are similar to crowns and not only serve to improve the tooth’s appearance, but also make the natural tooth structure stronger.

Inlays and onlays can be made of porcelain, gold or resin. Porcelain inlays mimic the natural color of teeth, making them the most optimal solution for restoring compromised teeth. Gold alloy inlays and onlays can possess greater durability.

People that have damaged or missing teeth often times feel self-conscious about their smile, and endure quality of life changes due to the inability to chew food properly. Damaged or missing teeth may result from periodontal disease, tooth decay, or traumatic injury. Not replacing missing teeth may affect all the remaining teeth in many ways. They may start to shift into the spaces of the missing teeth, and can even fracture due to the increased forces they bear within the bite.

Dentures can make life easier, and healthier for these people. A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. The beauty of dentures is that they are designed to be comfortable and functional. They are very similar in appearance to natural teeth, and can drastically improve the esthetics, function, and health for a persons smile.

Two types of dentures are available; complete and partial. Complete dentures are used to replace all of the teeth within the upper or lower arch. Partial dentures are indicated for patients who have only partially lost teeth within the arch. When the teeth that remain are structurally and periodontally sound, they can be utilized to support a partial denture.

We can design functional and attractive dentures that fit your facial characteristics and are customized for your special needs. Your new dentures will have a rejuvenating effect on your life and will allow you to smile and laugh with confidence.