For some patients teeth require restoration. There are several different types of restorative procedures.
Composite Restorations (Fillings)
Composites (tooth-colored fillings or bonding) are the most common materials used to fill cavities. Composite restorations are strong, esthetically appealing and can be done in one visit
Crowns
A crown is a dental restoration that completely covers the outside of a severely decayed tooth, fractured tooth or tooth that has lost a significant amount of structure. Dental crowns can be completed in one visit. During the visit, the tooth is prepped (shaved down) and a digital impression is taken. A permanent crown is fabricated out of high strength cosmetic porcelain and is cemented in place.
Bridges
A bridge replaces missing teeth without the use of a removable denture or dental implant. A bridge is a fixed restoration and cannot be removed. A false tooth or pontic is supported by neighboring teeth or abutment teeth. Abutment teeth are prepared to support crowns and the crowns and pontic are fabricated as one restoration called a bridge. The bridge is cemented on the abutment teeth.
Dentures
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth. There are two types of dentures, complete (full) and partial dentures.
Complete (Full) Dentures are made after all the teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw have been removed and the gum tissue has healed. The denture is an acrylic pink base that resemble gum tissue with natural looking acrylic denture teeth It is custom made in a dental laboratory. The denture rests on the gums or can be anchored to dental implants.
Removable Partial Dentures are made when a few teeth need to be replaced. The removable partial denture is typically a metal framework with pink acrylic and tooth colored acrylic denture teeth. The metal framework is designed with clasps that attach to the crowns of the existing teeth for retention.
Removable partial dentures can be supported in place by attaching them to dental implants when wearing them during the day.
