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Restorative Care
Restorative Care
Unfortunately, chances are that we all will need some restorative care over time. At Brady & Crist, we carefully diagnose each patient and their needs and recommend the best solutions. Below you will find more information and explanations about restorative care options. We encourage our patient to talk with our Dentists about all of the options and preventive care as well.
Dental Implants:
Dental implants are a way to replace missing teeth and provide a fixed solution to having complete or partial dentures. They are artificial roots and teeth that are surgically put into place in the upper or lower jawbone. The process involves a number of visits over several months.
Composite Fillings:
A composite filling (tooth colored) is used to repair a tooth that is chipped, worn, decayed, cracked, or broken. Also, they are used for closing space between two teeth. There are many different types of filling materials. Talk with your dentist to see which is best suited for you.
Although composite fillings are a great option, they, like most dental restorations, are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful, lasting smile.
Composite fillings are placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb your dentist will remove the decay. Then the space will be cleaned and carefully prepared for the filling. The filling will then be placed, shaped, and polished. Your dentist will then give you care instructions for your tooth. Good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular dental visits will help your filling last.
Porcelain Crowns (Caps):
A cap covers an entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. It protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
There are many different types of crowns but porcelain are the most popular because they resemble your natural teeth.
The procedure for crowns involves two appointments. During your first appointment you will make molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. Another mold will also be made to create a temporary crown, which will stay on your tooth until your new crown is fabricated in a dental laboratory. When the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and shape the surface to properly fit the crown. Then the dentist will place the temporary crown on.
At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be placed. Ask your dentist for more details.
Sealants:
Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. They are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often. A sealant is a plastic material applied to teeth. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions of the chewing surfaces of back teeth, protecting teeth from plaque and acids. Ask your dentist if sealants are right for you.
Dentures and Partial Dentures:
Dentures are a removable dental option for replacing missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to resemble your teeth and may enhance your smile. There are two types, partial and complete. Complete dentures are used when all your teeth are missing, and partial dentures are used when some of your natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills in the empty spaces, but they also prevent other teeth from shifting. Reasons for choosing dentures include: loss of teeth in an arch (complete), loss of several teeth (partial), enhancing your smile and facial tissue, and improving chewing, speech, and digestion. The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. See your dentist for more information.
Bridges:
A dental bridge is a fixed appliance and an excellent way to replace missing teeth. There are several types of bridges. Porcelain fixed bridges are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. This type of bridge consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Talk to your dentist about what type would be best for you.
Dental Implants:
Dental implants are a way to replace missing teeth and provide a fixed solution to having complete or partial dentures. They are artificial roots and teeth that are surgically put into place in the upper or lower jawbone. The process involves a number of visits over several months.
Composite Fillings:
A composite filling (tooth colored) is used to repair a tooth that is chipped, worn, decayed, cracked, or broken. Also, they are used for closing space between two teeth. There are many different types of filling materials. Talk with your dentist to see which is best suited for you.
Although composite fillings are a great option, they, like most dental restorations, are not permanent and may someday have to be replaced. They are very durable and will last many years, giving you a beautiful, lasting smile.
Composite fillings are placed in one appointment. While the tooth is numb your dentist will remove the decay. Then the space will be cleaned and carefully prepared for the filling. The filling will then be placed, shaped, and polished. Your dentist will then give you care instructions for your tooth. Good oral hygiene practices, eating habits, and regular dental visits will help your filling last.
Porcelain Crowns (Caps):
A cap covers an entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. It protects and strengthens tooth structure that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
There are many different types of crowns but porcelain are the most popular because they resemble your natural teeth.
The procedure for crowns involves two appointments. During your first appointment you will make molds (or impressions) that will be used to create your custom crown. Another mold will also be made to create a temporary crown, which will stay on your tooth until your new crown is fabricated in a dental laboratory. When the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and shape the surface to properly fit the crown. Then the dentist will place the temporary crown on.
At your second appointment, your temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and your new crown will be placed. Ask your dentist for more details.
Sealants:
Dental sealants act as a barrier, protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. They are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay occurs most often. A sealant is a plastic material applied to teeth. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions of the chewing surfaces of back teeth, protecting teeth from plaque and acids. Ask your dentist if sealants are right for you.
Dentures and Partial Dentures:
Dentures are a removable dental option for replacing missing teeth and surrounding tissue. They are made to resemble your teeth and may enhance your smile. There are two types, partial and complete. Complete dentures are used when all your teeth are missing, and partial dentures are used when some of your natural teeth remain. A partial denture not only fills in the empty spaces, but they also prevent other teeth from shifting. Reasons for choosing dentures include: loss of teeth in an arch (complete), loss of several teeth (partial), enhancing your smile and facial tissue, and improving chewing, speech, and digestion. The process of getting dentures requires several appointments, usually over several weeks. See your dentist for more information.
Bridges:
A dental bridge is a fixed appliance and an excellent way to replace missing teeth. There are several types of bridges. Porcelain fixed bridges are the most popular, because they resemble your natural teeth. This type of bridge consists of two crowns that go over two anchoring teeth and are attached to pontics (artificial teeth), filling the gap created by one or more missing teeth. Talk to your dentist about what type would be best for you.