Restorative Dentistry
Prioritizing dental health from an early age is the best way to prevent issues with your smile. However, if problems do arise, restorative techniques are available to help you regain confidence and restore your smile’s health. For more details on restorative dentistry, explore the information provided by Dr. Asters and the Ripley Family Dental team.
A crown, or cap, is a protective covering that encases the entire tooth, restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns are essential for strengthening and protecting teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations.
Among the various types of crowns, porcelain crowns are the most popular because they closely resemble natural teeth. They are highly durable and can last for many years, though they may eventually need to be replaced, like most dental restorations. Porcelain crowns are custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of your teeth, providing a natural-looking, long-lasting smile.
Common Reasons for Crowns:
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Cosmetic enhancement
- Decayed teeth
- Fractured fillings
- Large fillings
- Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment
The Crown Procedure
Getting a crown typically involves two appointments. During the first appointment, several precise molds (or impressions) of your teeth will be taken to create your custom crown. A temporary crown will also be made to protect your tooth while your permanent crown is being fabricated at a dental laboratory, which usually takes about two weeks.
While the tooth is numb, the dentist will remove any decay and shape the tooth’s surface to fit the crown properly. The temporary crown will then be placed with temporary cement, and your bite will be checked to ensure it is correct.
At the second appointment, the temporary crown will be removed, the tooth will be cleaned, and the new crown will be carefully positioned to ensure proper fit and bite.
You will receive care instructions and be encouraged to attend regular dental check-ups to maintain your new crown.
A composite (tooth-colored) filling is used to repair teeth affected by decay, cracks, fractures, and other damage. The decayed or damaged portion of the tooth is removed, and the area is then filled with a composite material.
There are various types of filling materials available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. You can discuss with your dentist the best options for restoring your teeth. Composite fillings, along with silver amalgam fillings, are among the most commonly used today. Due to their tooth-colored appearance, composite fillings can be closely matched to the color of your natural teeth, making them particularly well-suited for front teeth or other visible areas of the mouth.
As with most dental restorations, composite fillings are not permanent and may eventually need to be replaced. However, they are very durable and can last for many years, providing you with a long-lasting, beautiful smile.
Common Reasons for Composite Fillings:
•Chipped teeth
•Closing gaps between teeth
•Cracked or broken teeth
•Decayed teeth
•Worn teeth
The Composite Filling Process
Composite fillings are typically placed in a single appointment. After numbing the tooth, the dentist will remove any decay. The area is then thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared before the new filling is placed. If the decay is near the tooth’s nerve, a special medication may be applied for added protection. The composite filling is then precisely placed, shaped, and polished, restoring the tooth to its original shape and function.
It is normal to experience some sensitivity to hot and cold following the placement of composite fillings, but this usually subsides as your tooth adjusts to the new filling.
At the end of your treatment, you will receive care instructions. Maintaining good oral hygiene, healthy eating habits, and regular dental check-ups will help extend the life of your new fillings.
Using durable titanium, dental implants enable the surgical placement of prosthetic teeth directly into the jawbone, providing an exceptionally stable fit. Aside from your natural teeth, dental implants offer the closest alternative for achieving a strong, secure bite.
Ripley Family Dental offers tooth extractions when necessary to prevent the spread of infection or other complications. Common reasons for extraction include impacted teeth, unerupted teeth, or wisdom teeth.
At Ripley Family Dental, root canal therapy is necessary when the nerve of a tooth is compromised by decay or infection. To save the tooth, the pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth), nerves, bacteria, and any decay are removed, and the space is then filled with special medicated dental materials to restore the tooth’s full function.
Root canal treatment is the preferred choice to save a tooth that would otherwise need to be extracted. While some patients may think that removing a problematic tooth is the best solution, extraction can ultimately be more costly and lead to significant issues for the surrounding teeth.
Root canal therapy is highly successful and typically lasts a lifetime, although in rare cases, a tooth may need to be retreated due to new infections.
Signs and Symptoms That May Indicate the Need for Root Canal Therapy:
- An abscess (or pimple) on the gums
- Sensitivity to hot and cold
- Severe toothache pain
- Sometimes no symptoms are present
- Swelling and/or tenderness
Common Reasons for Root Canal Therapy:
- Decay has reached the tooth pulp (the living tissue inside the tooth)
- An infection or abscess has developed inside the tooth or at the root tip
- Injury or trauma to the tooth
The Root Canal Procedure
A root canal procedure typically requires one or more appointments and can be performed by a dentist or an endodontist (a root canal specialist).
During the procedure, the tooth is numbed, and a rubber dam is placed around the tooth to keep it dry and free of saliva. An access opening is made on top of the tooth, and a series of root canal files are used to remove the pulp, nerve tissue, and bacteria. Any decay present will also be removed using special dental instruments.
Once the tooth is thoroughly cleaned, it will be sealed with either a permanent filling or, if additional appointments are needed, a temporary filling will be placed.
At the following appointment, typically a week later, the roots and inner cavity of the tooth will be filled and sealed with special dental materials. A filling will be placed to close the opening on top of the tooth. It is also recommended that a crown (cap) be placed on any tooth that has undergone root canal treatment to protect it from breaking and to restore its full function.
After treatment, the tooth may still be sensitive, but this should subside as the inflammation decreases and the tooth heals.
You will receive care instructions after each appointment. Maintaining good oral hygiene practices and attending regular dental visits will help extend the life of your root canal treatment.