General Treatment

Crowns

Crowns are used to restore the strength, functionality, and appearance of a damaged or weakened tooth. They are custom-made caps that cover the entire visible portion of the tooth above the gum line. Crowns are commonly made from materials such as porcelain, ceramic, metal, or a combination of these. They are ideal for protecting teeth after root canals, covering large fillings, or improving the aesthetics of discolored or misshapen teeth.

Implants

Dental implants are a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. They consist of a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root. Once healed, a crown, bridge, or denture is attached to the implant to restore functionality and appearance. Implants provide a durable, natural-looking solution and help maintain jawbone health by preventing bone loss.

Bridges

Dental bridges are used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring an artificial tooth (or teeth) to the adjacent natural teeth or implants. They “bridge” the gap left by missing teeth and restore the ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently. Bridges can be made from materials like porcelain, ceramic, or metal, and they are custom-designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth.

Fillings

Fillings are used to repair cavities or minor damage to teeth caused by decay or wear. The decayed portion of the tooth is removed, and the space is filled with a durable material such as composite resin, amalgam, gold, or porcelain. Fillings restore the tooth’s structure and functionality while preventing further decay or damage. Composite resin fillings are popular for their natural appearance, blending in with the surrounding tooth color.

Extractions

An extraction is the complete removal of a tooth. The picture above shows you what NOT to do.  Extractions are sometimes necessary if a primary tooth is preventing the normal eruption of a permanent tooth, if the tooth has suffered extensive tooth decay or trauma that cannot be repaired, if the patient has gum disease, or if the tooth is impacted (usually the wisdom teeth). Depending on the complexity of the case, an extraction can be performed surgically or non-surgically. A mild anesthesia is used to ensure you are as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure.

Wisdom Teeth

Your third molars are more commonly called “wisdom teeth.” Usually appearing in the late teens or early twenties, third molars often lack the proper space in the jaw to erupt fully or even at all. This common condition is called impaction.When any tooth lacks the space to come through or simply develops in the wrong place of your jaw and becomes impacted, problems can arise. Primarily, damage to adjacent teeth and crowding occur.

In certain cases, the wisdom tooth that cannot come through becomes inflamed under the gums and in the jawbone, causing a sac to develop around the root of the tooth that then fills with liquid. This can cause a cyst or an abscess if it becomes infected. If either of these situations goes untreated, serious damage to the underlying bone and surrounding teeth and tissues can result.

To potentially stave off this result, an extraction of one, several or all of the wisdom teeth may be advised. If that is the case, we have the equipment and training needed to perform such extractions, with an absolute minimum of discomfort. Ask our staff for more information regarding tooth extractions if you feel you may need one.

Root Canals

A root canal is a procedure that cleans out decayed pulp from the central part of the tooth, reshapes the canal and replaces it with strengthening filler.

A cavity is the result of superficial decay of the enamel of the tooth. Left long enough, this decay can burrow into the deeper reaches of the tooth, causing extensive damage to tooth structure. When the damage goes beyond what can be treated with a filling, dentists can perform a root canal (or endodontics), preserving the tooth and retaining its original integrity; thereby, saving a tooth that in the past would have to have been pulled.

This procedure involves:

  • The patient undergoes anesthesia.
  • A dental dam is used to isolate the tooth.
  • The tooth is opened to allow for removal of infected or dead dental pulp.
  • The tooth is comprehensively cleaned, including any cracks and canals.
  • With special tools, the doctor reshapes the canals.
  • The tooth is filled again with cutting edge biocompatible filling material.
  • A temporary covering is used to cover the access opening.
  • Patients must see their regular dentist quickly for a permanent restoration of the tooth.