If you have problems with cracked, chipped, or broken teeth, or aching ones that have cavities or infection, then you may need restorative dentistry. With restorative dentistry we can repair and even replace teeth if needed. In today’s blog, your Grand Prairie, TX, dentist talks about how we correct problems with restorative dentistry.
Do You Have a Damaged or Aching Tooth?
When you have an injured tooth, even if the damage appears quite minor, you still need to seek restorative dentistry. The same goes for a tooth that begins to hurt, as this could indicate the potential presence of tooth decay and even dental infection. Likewise, when a tooth is knocked loose or out, or if one is lost due to poor oral health, you need restorative dentistry to address the gap and protect your smile from major complications. Simply call our office and we will see you for a consultation. We will discuss your symptoms and possible cause, and then examine your smile with advanced imaging technology, making a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. We then provide treatment designed to address the concerns and offer lifelike results, so you feel confident in your smile.
Dental Fillings
If you have a cavity, then restorative dentistry could provide relief in only one visit. With a dental filling, we will use a metal-free composite resin material to address the decay and prevent infection and tooth loss, all in a single sitting. We begin by numbing your tooth to ensure you are comfortable, and we then remove the decay and clean the tooth thoroughly. Next, our team will apply the prepared filling material, which we shade to blend with your tooth. We sculpt and mold the tooth as the composite resin cures under a light, and we then polish it for a brighter appearance!
Our Crowns
If you have an injury or a cavity too severe to be treated with a filling or bonding procedure, then we may cap your tooth with a crown. The dental crown is a restoration that caps the tooth and covers it to address a host of serious issues. We use lifelike and durable materials such as porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and zirconia, all of which can be shaded to blend with your smile. We numb the tooth and remove structure from it to make room for the crown, and we take images and impressions of the tooth. In a dental lab setting, we design and craft the crown. We then attach your custom restoration with a powerful bonding agent, so you now have one that looks natural and can last for years to come.
Root Canal Therapy
What if a tooth is infected? This means that harmful oral bacteria have made contact with the pulp, the nerve center at the very center of your tooth. This could be due to an injury or untreated cavity, and you need restorative dentistry to stop it, so you avoid further pain or the risk of losing the tooth altogether. With a root canal, we will numb your tooth so you stay comfortable as we open it and remove all tissues from within the tooth and the root canals. We then clean the inside of the tooth and canals, and add a special restorative filling known as gutta percha. The last step is to cap the tooth with one of our custom and natural-looking crowns.
Bridges and Dentures
What if you have lost a tooth, or possibly all of them? To restore function and beauty to your smile, and protect you from major complications. If you have a single missing tooth, or as many as three in a row, then our team could create a lifelike bridge, which is a ceramic prosthetic that contains new teeth with crowns on each end. We attach the crowns to the abutment teeth, the ones on each side of the gap in your smile which could secure them for 10 to 15 years on average.
If you have multiple gaps spread out across your smile, we could offer a partial denture. This contains new teeth in an acrylic base that mimics the look of gum tissues. There are metal clasps that will attach to natural teeth to secure the denture, and the new teeth perfectly in the gaps in your smile. If you are missing most or all of your teeth, we could also offer a full denture, with a complete row of new teeth set in an acrylic base, and held in place with suction or adhesive. These tend to last about 5 to 10 years on average.
Dental Implants
The most lifelike and durable option for tooth replacement is a dental implant. These are biocompatible titanium posts that we insert into the jawbone. Once in place, they act like new roots and stimulate jawbone growth, which prevents changes to the jaw ridge. As a result, they can replace a single missing tooth or secure a denture, and will last for decades to come, possibly a lifetime. You care for them as you would natural teeth, and they restore function to your smile and never slip when you eat or speak. Whether you need a single missing tooth replaced, or want a set of fixed dentures, we can help with implant dentistry.
If you have any questions about how our team will take on missing teeth with custom prosthetics, or about preventing or treating injuries or cavities with fillings or crowns, then contact our team today to learn more. With restorative dentistry, we can help you enjoy a beautiful and healthy smile, with results that can last for years to come. You can smile with confidence, and enjoy all of your favorite dishes again!
Learn More About Restorative Dentistry
We want to help repair damage and address issues like tooth decay or even tooth loss, which is why we offer repair for our patients using durable and lifelike materials. You deserve results that look natural and help restore function to your bite once again. When you are ready to schedule your appointment with our office, contact Pecan Tree Dental in Grand Prairie, TX at 972-262-5111.
