Treatments
Resin fillings are a great way to restore your back teeth. Because they bond directly to the teeth, they provide the added strength that damaged teeth need to withstand frequent biting pressure.
A sealant is a clear or white plastic coating that is placed in the deep grooves and pits of back teeth to help prevent decay. The grooves in the back teeth are very difficult to clean and sealants prevent food and bacterial plaque from collecting in these grooves causing the breakdown of the enamel. Then, you get a cavity.
Crowns completely cover the top and sides of a tooth, protecting it and restoring its shape and function. We may choose a crown when a lot of tooth structure has been lost. A crown is a good option when the tooth is weak, has had root canal therapy, is under a lot of stress from heavy biting forces, or is cracked or broken at the gumline. Crowns are custom fitted to the tooth and are usually placed in a separate step. Crowns can be all gold, gold and porcelain or all porcelain. See CEREC CAD/CAM in the technology section for a description of one appointment crowns.
Fixed bridges replace missing teeth. When a tooth is missing, a three-unit bridge can be a good choice for replacing it. In a three-unit bridge, an artificial tooth is connected on each end to crowns. The crowns are placed over neighboring teeth to hold the bridge in place. The benefits of having a tooth replaced is to restore normal chewing, assist in clear speech, help teeth from shifting. A three unit bridge is supported by crowns that can serve to protect the adjacent teeth that have damage or decay. Another alternative is an implant supported crown.
A dental implant is an excellent treatment for replacing missing teeth. A root form implant is the most common kind of dental implant. It is a small, titanium post that replaces the roots of a missing tooth. A custom-fitted crown is secured to the implant. The implant has several benefits. Like the roots of natural teeth, it stimulates the jawbone when you chew. This preserves the jawbone and keeps it healthy. An implant to replace a single tooth is cleaned just like a natural tooth and is easier to clean than fixed bridges.
With careful homecare and regular checkups and cleanings here in our office, an implant can be an excellent long-term solution for missing teeth.
Root canal therapy is when the pulp of a tooth becomes infected or dies. Root canal therapy is necessary to save the tooth. It is generally comfortable treatment that can save your tooth and keep your mouth healthy.
Symptoms of infection are:
- The tooth is sensitive to hot or cold
- The tooth hurts with biting or pressure
- There is throbbing, severe tooth pain
- The area is swollen
- You have a bad taste in the mouth
You may also be unaware of the problem because there are no symptoms at all.
Fluoride benefits people of all ages. When children are young and their teeth are forming, fluoride joins with the tooth structure, making the enamel surface harder and more resistant to decay.
The benefits for adults are also important. Fluoride can help repair a cavity in its earliest stage before it has become visible in the mouth. Fluoride rebuilds the enamel layer of the teeth. In our senior population fluoride helps prevent decay in areas of root exposure.