It’s great news that the incidence of tooth decay has significantly diminished over the years due to the use of fluorides and an increase in patient awareness.  However, teeth are still susceptible to decay, infection, and breakage and sometimes need to be restored back to health.  Through improved techniques and modern technology, we are now able to offer more options for restoring a tooth back to its normal shape, appearance, and function.

Should your teeth ever require a restorative treatment, you can rest assured knowing we will always discuss with you the available options and recommend what we believe to be the most comfortable and least invasive treatment.  Providing you with excellent care is our number one priority when creating your beautiful smile.

Reasons for restorative dentistry:

• Enhance your smile.
• Fill in unattractive spaces between teeth.
• Improve or correct an improper bite.
• Prevent the loss of a tooth.
• Relieve dental pain.
• Repair damaged and decayed teeth.
• Replace missing teeth.
• Replace old, unattractive dental treatments.
• Restore normal eating and chewing.

What are my options? 

• Air Abrasion: Traditionally, dentists used noisy dental drills to remove decay and prepare the teeth for fillings, but air abrasion has proven to be a noiseless, heatless, minimally invasive alternative.  Air abrasion is similar to sandblasting, in that tiny particles are propelled toward small areas of decay to remove them.  A filling is then applied to seal the tooth from further harm. 
• Composite Fillings: 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. 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. 
• Crowns: 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. They are highly durable and will last many years, but like most dental restorations, they may eventually need to be replaced. 
• Dental Implants: Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usual titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or Periodontist - a specialist of the gums and supporting bone.  The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile! 
• Dentures and Partials: There are two types of dentures - complete and partial dentures.  Complete dentures are used when all of the teeth are missing, while partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain.  A Partial denture not only fills in the spaces created by missing teeth, but it also prevents other teeth from shifting.
• Empress® Restorations: Empress® veneers, crowns, inlays, overlays, and dental bridges are renowned for their strength, durability, and exceptional optical properties. Empress® restorations are completely metal-free and are constructed from inorganic material that is baked and cured at high temperatures.
• Fixed Bridges: A dental bridge is a fixed (non-removable) appliance and is an excellent way to replace missing teeth.
• Inlay Restorations: An inlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain.  It is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented into the tooth by your dentist.
• Onlay Restoration: An inlay restoration is a custom made filling made of composite material, gold, or tooth-colored porcelain.  An inlay is sometimes also referred to as a partial crown.  It is made by a professional dental laboratory and is permanently cemented onto the tooth by your dentist.
• Root Canal Therapy: 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.

Remember to give your teeth the attention they need today!