Restorative Dentistry
Patients suffer many problems because of inadequately planned and executed dental treatment. Restorative dentistry is a branch of dentistry that takes into consideration all the needs, wants and values of you, the patient, and designs the best treatment plan that will fullfill your needs and goals.
Tooth Colored Fillings
We ONLY use resin filling material for all our restorations. Resin is a white, enamel colored material that actually adheres to your natural tooth, becoming one with the tooth. With resin, the Doctor removes far less natural tooth structure than is required with the commonly used silver, amalgam material. This minimizes gaps where decay can develop and increases the longevity of your restoration.
Crowns/Bridges
Crown restorations are similar to veneers, because they too are attached to individual teeth. Crowns completely cover the tooth on all sides, helping to correct any problems that you might have with alignment. Crowns are used to repair teeth that have undergone root canals, have severe erosion, or extreme malposition. The use of crowns is essential in any situation that requires greater strength and aesthetics. Crowns are fabricated from ceramic or ceramic and metal, and are indistinguishable from adjacent teeth.
Having crowns applied takes two or three appointments so that your teeth can be prepared and impressions can be made. The impressions are used to fashion a porcelain crown that fits into the contour of the remaining teeth. While your permanent crowns are being created in a laboratory, you'll wear temporary crowns that maintain your appearance and ability to function. Often crowns are added to existing teeth to create better connecting surfaces for attachment of fixed bridges and partial dentures. As with all treatments, crown restorations require meticulous oral hygiene; proper brushing and flossing techniques are effective in eliminating plaque and bacteria. Crowns or caps can last the longest compared to other treatments depending on placement and forces placed on them.
Bridges are useful as corrective measures after an accident or serious dental decay. These restorations-generally made of porcelain or a composite material- are used to replace missing teeth. Bridges are a method by which to restore your bite and create a pleasant smile. Fixed bridges are placed on the neighboring teeth, so they span the site of the missing tooth. The bridge is fitted with ceramic teeth to replicate the missing teeth, to restore function, and aesthetics.
Removable bridges (full or partial) are recommended in complex dental situations to restore support and proper function. These bridges are constructed of ceramic and metal and require creation of a study model made from impressions. The bridge is also fitted with ceramic teeth to replicate the missing teeth and combined with metal that is shaped to fit the inside contours of the mouth. Multiple visits are required for adjustments to the bite and fit of the appliance. Fixed bridges require meticulous cleaning usually with a threading floss. Removable bridgework requires meticulous cleaning after meals and soaking in a solution to remove plaque and bacteria.
Inlays/Overlays
Inlays and Onlays are often used to restore teeth that have been damaged by decay or wear. They are typically placed on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth or molars. These durable fillings are often used when the amount of lost tooth structure is more than what a regular filling can replace but less than what you would need a crown to repair.
An onlay may be used to provide extensive coverage for a tooth that has little tooth structure left. It is sometimes used to help protect from possible fracture a tooth that has had root canal therapy or one that sports a worn filling.
These dental restorations usually require two or more visits. The dentist prepares the tooth during the first visit by removing the tooth decay and/or existing filling. An impression is made of the prepared tooth, the opposing teeth and the bite.
From the impression, a model or mold is made in a dental laboratory. The mold is used for the preparation of the final inlay or onlay.
A temporary filling protects the tooth until the next visit when it is removed and the dentist places the permanent restoration. During that visit, the dentist checks the restoration for fit. Finishing, adjusting the bite for comfort and a final polishing may also be done then.
TMJ Care
Many people who suffer from such seemingly disparate symptoms as headaches, earaches, tenderness of the jaw joints or muscles, or dull aching facial pain often share a common problem. These people may suffer from a family of problems related to the jaw muscles and the jaw (temporomandibular, or “TM”) joint. These problems are often referred to as TM disorders. The muscles and joints may not function properly, resulting in cycles of pain and spasm. The causes of some TM disorders are not well understood. Because of this, there are varying opinions about diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
Causes of TM disorders:
1. When muscles and joints do not work properly, the muscles will often go into a spasm (cramp). This spasm can become part of a cycle that results in tissue damage, pain, muscle tenderness and more spasm.
2. While some cases of TM disorder may have clear-cut causes such as trauma, arthritis, or severe stress, most are due to a combination of factors. Discs often slip forward in the joint leading to problems such as clicking, popping, or even getting “stuck” for a moment. However, these often are minor problems, and in the absence of jaw pain they usually don’t require treatment.
3. Oral habits such as clenching or grinding the teeth (bruxism) may develop as a response to stress, or as part of a sleep disorder. You may not be aware of nighttime clenching or grinding, but you may catch yourself doing this during the day. These habits can tire the muscles and cause them to go into spasm. The spasm causes pain which in turn causes more spasm. In time, persistent muscle problems may affect the joints themselves, and a complex cycle of pain and improper function will be set up.
It is important to note that while many of the above factors are believed to cause TM disorders, the exact causes of the disorders are unknown and sometimes it is not possible to determine the causes of the symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of TM disorders:
TM disorders have many signs and symptoms. Some of the most common ones include the following:
- Pain in or around the ear, sometimes spreading to the face.
- Tenderness of the jaw muscles.
- Clicking or popping noise when one opens or closes the mouth.
- Difficulty in opening one’s mouth.
- Jaws that “get stuck,” “lock,” or “go out.”
- Pain brought on by yawning, chewing or opening the mouth widely.
- Certain types of headaches or neckaches.
Dentures/Relines
Dentures:
Replacing missing teeth has substantial benefits for your health and your appearance. A complete denture, also called a full denture, replaces all the natural teeth and provides support for cheeks and lips. Without this support, sagging facial muscles can make a person appear older. And by replacing missing teeth, dentures improve a person’s ability to speak and to eat.
Complete dentures are either called “conventional” or “immediate” according to when they are made and when they are inserted into the mouth.
- Conventional dentures are made and inserted after the remaining teeth are removed and the tissues have healed. Healing may take several months.
- Immediate dentures are inserted immediately after the removal of the remaining teeth. To make this possible, the dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient's jaws during a preliminary visit. An advantage of immediate dentures is that the wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period. However, bones and gums can shrink over time, especially during the period of healing in the first six months after the removal of teeth. When gums shrink, immediate dentures may require rebasing or relining to fit properly.
What will dentures feel like?
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place.
It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should diminish. One or more follow-up appointments with the dentist are generally needed after a denture is inserted.
Care for your mouth:
Even with full dentures, you still need to take good care of your mouth. Every morning brush your gums, tongue and palate with a soft-bristled brush before you put in your dentures. This removes plaque and stimulates circulation in the mouth. Selecting a balanced diet for proper nutrition is also important for maintaining a healthy mouth.
Scheduling appointments:
Your dentist will advise you about how often to visit. Regular dental check-ups are important. The dentist will examine your mouth to see if your dentures continue to fit properly. The dentist also examines your mouth for signs of oral diseases including cancer.
Relines:
Over time, dentures will need to be relined, remade or rebased due to normal wear. To make a rebased denture, the dentist uses the existing denture teeth and makes a new dentures base.
Dentures may need to be replaced because a mouth naturally changes with age. Bone and gum ridges can recede or shrink, causing jaws to align differently. Shrinking ridges can cause dentures to fit less securely. Loose dentures can cause health problems, including sores and infections. A loose denture also makes chewing more difficult and may change your facial features. It’s important to replace worn or poorly-fitting dentures before they cause problems.
Night Guards
Many people have a habit of grinding their teeth or clenching their jaws, a condition called bruxism. Most people do it in their sleep, so it often goes undetected. If diagnosed early enough, bruxism can be treated before it causes damage to the teeth.
When bruxism is serious enough, dentists can fit patients with a plastic mouth guard to be worn at night. Night guards are custom made of a thick plastic by a professional lab technician from an impression taken at your dental office.
Effects of Bruxism:
- Worn down tooth enamel
- Chipped teeth and teeth that look flat at the tips
- Increase in temperature sensitivity
- Eroding gums and supporting bones
- Broken fillings or other dental work
- Worsening temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
- Cosmetic damage