Restorative Services

RESTORATIVE SERVICES

Restorative services include any dental procedure that repairs or replaces a tooth, restoring its functionality and health.

COMPOSITE RESIN (tooth-colored) FILLINGS

Composite resins, or tooth-colored fillings, provide good durability and are a good option for patients who prefer that their fillings look more natural.

They can be used in front or back teeth.  

CROWNS

A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth.  A crown may be needed in the following situations:

1. To protect a weak tooth from breaking or to hold together parts of a cracked tooth.

2.  To restore a broken tooth or a tooth that has been severely worn down.

3. To cover and support a tooth with a large filling when there isn’t much remaining tooth structure left.

4.  To hold a dental bridge in place.

5. To cover a dental implant or a tooth that has received a root canal.

6. Cosmetic reasons such as covering misshaped or discolored teeth.

When preparing the tooth for a crown, the dentist will reshape the tooth along the chewing surface and sides to make room for the crown.  If, however, a large area of the tooth is missing due to decay or damage, the dentist will use filling material to “build up” the tooth in order to support the crown.

After the tooth is prepped, the dentist will make a digital scan of the tooth.  That image will be sent to a dental lab, where the crown will be manufactured.  The dentist will place a temporary crown to cover and protect the prepared tooth.

During a second visit, the dentist will cement the permanent crown in place.

BRIDGES

Dental bridges replace missing teeth.  They can replace one tooth or a row of missing teeth.  The replacement teeth will match the shade of your natural teeth.  

A traditional bridge is the most common type of bridge.  It consists of dental crowns on each end, with replacement teeth between.

A cantilever bridge is similar to a traditional bridge.  This type of bridge only uses one crown.  A cantilever bridge can be a solution for patients who don’t have natural teeth on one side of the gap.

Maryland bridges use metal wings instead of crowns to secure the bridge.  Metal wings are bonded to the backs of the neighboring teeth used to hold the bridge in place.  A Maryland bridge is often used to replace front teeth.

An implant-supported bridge is also similar to a traditional bridge, but rests atop dental implants instead of natural teeth.

DENTAL IMPLANTS

Dental implants also offer a solution for missing teeth. 

A dental implant is a screw-like structure, usually made of titanium, that serves as a substitute for the root of a tooth.  When dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone, they bond with your natural bone, creating a sturdy base for the replacement tooth (crown).

 A connector, known as an abutment, is placed on top of the implant to hold and support the crown.