TREATMENTS

• Fillings / Restorations
• Dental Sealants
• Dentures
• Children
• Dental Implants
• Crowns/Veneers
• Tooth Extractions
• Reconstructive Dentistry

Tooth Fillings

We are an amalgam-free (silver filling) practice. However, many people still have silver fillings in their mouths from years past. These fillings are not particularly pleasing to the eye, and we know that by unavoidable design, silver fillings ultimately result in a weaker tooth structure. Since these filling are not bonded and are retained by mechanical retention, a leaky margin is inevitable.  Over time silver restorations "shrink" and cause a gap between the tooth and filling, resulting in caries (decay) under and around the the filling. If the tooth loses it's strength and integrity due to decay a larger restoration may be necessary.   Porcelain inlays and  onlays are not only beautiful (or unnoticeable) but also are strong.  Many times inlays, onlays and 3/4 crowns enable the majority of healthy tooth structure to be saved and we are able to avoid a full coverage restoration (crown).

Advantages of Tooth-Colored Restorations:

There are many advantages to tooth-colored restorations (composite). Composite fillings are bonded to the teeth creating a tight, superior fit to the natural tooth. The composite material is a resin base with fillers that are strong and durable.  Composite is a preference to most dentists due to being bonded and an esthetic result. 

Replacing existing fillings or smaller restorations with a Inlays, Onlays and 3/4 Crowns:

  This process requires two appointments.

Your First Appointment:

1. The old filling is removed along with any additional decay.
2. An impression is made of the prepped tooth and opposing arch (for bite purposes).  This impression is sent to a dental laboratory to have your final restoration made custom to your tooth and bite.
3. A temporary restoration is placed on the tooth and cemented with temporary cement while the final restoration is being fabricated (about 3 weeks). 

Your Second Appointment:

1. The area is anesthetized, if necessary and the temporary restoration is removed and tooth is cleaned. 
2. Once the restoration has been tried in and necessary adjustments made, the area will be isolated and a conditioning gel is placed on your tooth to prepare it for the new bonded restoration.
3. Bonding cement is placed in the new restoration and a high intensity visible light cures the cement. 
4. The tooth and restoration are cleaned of any extra cement and the bite adjusted if necessary.  Finally the restoration  is then polished.