Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry improves oral health and function by focusing on repairing or replacing teeth. The goal is to maintain and protect our patients natural teeth with the most effective and appropriate treatment which may include fillings, crowns, bridges and more!
Composite Fillings
Restoration Dental Studio offers composite or “tooth colored” fillings when restoring decayed, broken, or fracture-lined prone teeth. Composite fillings are the most common procedure in restoring teeth and have multiple shades to match the existing shades of the teeth. Patients can expect to be numb in the area of concern during these procedures, or can also request laser dentistry for your comfort while removing decay and bonding the composite material.
Crowns
At Restoration Dental Studio we offer “same-day-crowns,” which means we will prepare the tooth and deliver the permanent crown on the same day after milling it in our office with our CEREC Primemill. Dental crowns are used to protect, cover and/or restore the shape of your teeth when a filling is no longer an option. Crowns are made from several different tooth colored materials that are color matched to the existing shade of your teeth. To prepare a tooth for a crown, the tooth will be numb and the Doctor will reduce the height and circumference of the tooth in order to cement the crown over the tooth.
Bridges
Dental bridges are used to “bridge” the gap of a missing tooth/teeth when the gap is located between two existing teeth. It uses a false tooth that is between two crowns. To prepare an area for a dental bridge the Doctor will reduce the height and circumference of the teeth on either side of the space and prepare them for crowns. A bridge is then made by adjoining 3 crowns together and then cemented to the teeth on either side of the space. Traditional dental bridges are typically used when a dental implant is not an option, and can only be used if there are teeth on both sides of the missing tooth. They are made out of a strong and esthetically pleasing material that is matched to the shade of your existing teeth.
Root Canals
A root canal, also referred to as endodontic treatment is an extremely common procedure that helps relieve pain from a damaged or diseased tooth and revive the natural existing tooth. A root canal is a painless and highly effective procedure that can typically be completed in one to two visits depending on the condition of the diseased tooth.
What really happens?
A fully developed tooth consists of the white enamel that you can see, a hard layer called dentin, and a third layer that is soft tissue that we refer to as the “pulp”, which is in direct contact with the root and nerve of the tooth. When a cavity becomes very large, the decay can enter the pulp and begin to cause pain and sensitivity in the root and surrounding area. Most patients experience pain when chewing or sensitivity to hot and cold liquids. During a root canal, the doctor will remove all decay in the existing tooth and the pulp, the inside is disinfected, and then the tooth is filled and sealed. This procedure is effective in the prevention of reinfection of bacteria and has many advantages such as normal sensations and chewing and a natural appearance since the original tooth is being saved.
Dentures and Partials
Additional options to replace missing teeth are dependent upon the location and condition of the surrounding teeth that are missing.
A Removable Partial Denture (RPD) is an appliance that can have one or multiple false teeth on it. Some may have heard the word “flipper” which usually has one tooth on it, while a Removable partial denture typically has multiple false teeth and tends to be slightly larger or bulkier in the mouth due to the amount of teeth it may be replacing. Typically these are made from a pink acrylic base that can match the shade of the surrounding gum color and have natural looking teeth. There are metal clasps that are carefully designed to keep the partial in place in your mouth. These metal clasps may be slightly visible depending on the location of the missing teeth and where the partial will sit, however there are other options for more natural-looking clasps to keep the partial in place as well. Removable partial dentures and flippers are typically used as a short term solution while determining the best long-term lasting option for the replacement of teeth. Both options may help in the replacement of missing teeth in most areas of the mouth. Most RPD’s can replace multiple missing teeth and they do not always have to be right next to each other or in a row, they can be located in multiple areas.
Complete dentures can be made for the maxillary arch, or upper arch of the mouth, that consists of the false teeth and the base that lays on the roof of the mouth. They can also be made for the mandible arch, or lower arch, where the base rests along the lower soft tissue and gums. Complete dentures help aid those who have had bone and teeth loss and can provide a highly acceptable level of function and esthetics in an edentulous mouth, meaning no more original teeth remaining. This is considered full mouth reconstruction due to the complete dental arch being restored with the denture and the phases of treatment beforehand that typically includes extracting any teeth that may be left in the mouth that are damaged or experiencing excessive decay.
Removable Partial Denture (RPD)
A Removable Partial Denture (RPD) is an appliance that can have one or multiple false teeth on it. Some may have heard the word “flipper” which usually has one tooth on it, while a Removable partial denture typically has multiple false teeth and tends to be slightly larger or bulkier in the mouth due to the amount of teeth it may be replacing. Typically these are made from a pink acrylic base that can match the shade of the surrounding gum color and have natural looking teeth. There are metal clasps that are carefully designed to keep the partial in place in your mouth. These metal clasps may be slightly visible depending on the location of the missing teeth and where the partial will sit, however there are other options for more natural-looking clasps to keep the partial in place as well. Removable partial dentures and flippers are typically used as a short term solution while determining the best long-term lasting option for the replacement of teeth. Both options may help in the replacement of missing teeth in most areas of the mouth. Most RPD’s can replace multiple missing teeth and they do not always have to be right next to each other or in a row, they can be located in multiple areas.
Complete Dentures
Complete dentures can be made for the maxillary arch, or upper arch of the mouth, that consists of the false teeth and the base that lays on the roof of the mouth. They can also be made for the mandible arch, or lower arch, where the base rests along the lower soft tissue and gums. Complete dentures help aid those who have had bone and teeth loss and can provide a highly acceptable level of function and esthetics in an edentulous mouth, meaning no more original teeth remaining. This is considered full mouth reconstruction due to the complete dental arch being restored with the denture and the phases of treatment beforehand that typically includes extracting any teeth that may be left in the mouth that are damaged or experiencing excessive decay.
Dental Implants
Why choose dental implants?
Dental implant restorations are fairly common and are used in the replacement of missing teeth. Whether you are looking to replace one single tooth or multiple teeth, this may be an option for you! Every patient is unique and the implant process has multiple phases of treatment that can take anywhere from a few months to a year to complete the entire process.
Importance of Implants
Overall oral health and function is adversely affected for patients with missing teeth. Jawbone density and gum tissue begin to diminish immediately after the loss of teeth, affecting not only that area but also the surrounding teeth causing movement and misplacement which can lead to further issues. The placement of an implant will mimic the natural stabilizing structures of the original tooth root. After the tissue is fully fused to the implant a dental crown, bridge, or partial can be placed on top to recreate the teeth that are missing.
Extractions
Our number one priority in the dental field is to restore and repair natural teeth, however sometimes this may not be an option. When natural teeth become diseased, fractured, broken, or decayed past the point of being restorable you may need to get the tooth pulled, better known as an “extraction.” There are many different types of extractions whether it be on primary teeth or adult teeth. The different techniques the dentist uses to remove the tooth may be described as surgical or simple. Extractions can be done on wisdom teeth to create space in the jaw to prevent overcrowding and ensure the impacted teeth do not cause damage to the existing molars. Some patients may never need their wisdom teeth extracted but doing so before any discomfort or problematic symptoms arise typically helps long-term oral health. Depending on the procedure needed to extract the tooth, a general dentist can perform the extraction but in some cases a referral to an Oral Surgeon is necessary. Tooth extractions are a straightforward and in most cases quick procedure done in office. A local anesthetic is used to numb the general area so there is no feeling of pain, just some slight pressure when the tooth is removed. One or multiple extractions can be done in one visit and typically have a recovery period of 24 hours before patients can resume normal eating and oral habits.
Bone Grafting
Dental bone grafting is necessary when bone loss is present. In most cases, when bone loss is occurring affecting the space where an existing tooth has been extracted or the neighboring teeth, placing a bone graft can help preserve the area. Bone grafting is commonly used when patients are wanting to place an implant in the affected area or would like to preserve an area to place an implant in the future. Placing a bone graft typically goes hand in hand with extractions due to its success rate in preserving the bone and tissue regeneration.
Comfort Options
Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that aids in calming patients for more comfortable visits or procedures that acts as an anxiolytic. This can be beneficial for children and adults that may be fearful of dental treatment or help with comfortability during dental appointments. A flavor scent mask placed over the nose for the inhalation of nitrous oxide prior to and possibly during treatment. At the end of treatment, all nitrous is eliminated and one hundred percent oxygen is flowing through the tubes to the lungs for the last five minutes. Our office offers many different scented masks for this option so you can pick one you enjoy! If you are an adult, you may drive yourself to and from your own appointment even when using this method!
By taking a prescription pill about an hour before treatment begins, this option allows patients to arrive in a comfortable and relaxed manner, and remain calm and pain-free throughout dental treatment. During this time the patient will be conscious and awake during the entirety of the appointment. If this option is right for you, options and instructions will be discussed prior to any appointment.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that aids in calming patients for more comfortable visits or procedures that acts as an anxiolytic. This can be beneficial for children and adults that may be fearful of dental treatment or help with comfortability during dental appointments. A flavor scent mask placed over the nose for the inhalation of nitrous oxide prior to and possibly during treatment. At the end of treatment, all nitrous is eliminated and one hundred percent oxygen is flowing through the tubes to the lungs for the last five minutes. Our office offers many different scented masks for this option so you can pick one you enjoy! If you are an adult, you may drive yourself to and from your own appointment even when using this method!
Oral Conscious Sedation
By taking a prescription pill about an hour before treatment begins, this option allows patients to arrive in a comfortable and relaxed manner, and remain calm and pain-free throughout dental treatment. During this time the patient will be conscious and awake during the entirety of the appointment.
If this option is right for you, options and instructions will be discussed prior to any appointment.