General Dentistry

When tooth decay goes through your enamel, a cavity can form. Once a cavity forms, a filling may be needed. Through this process the decay is removed and filled with either a composite (white) filling or an amalgam (silver) filling.

When teeth are rendered non-restorable either through being too severely decayed, broken beyond repair, or compromised from periodontal (gum) disease, an extraction is needed to remove the tooth.

The pulp is soft tissue inside the tooth that contains blood vessels and nerves. When pulp becomes inflamed or infected, a root canal is needed. Root canal procedure is the act of removing the pulp/nerve from each canal of the tooth, each canal is then cleaned, shaped, and disinfected and filled to seal each canal. After a root canal is performed it Is highly recommended that the tooth is restored with a crown.

Periodontal disease is an infection and inflammation that affects the tissues and bone that support your teeth. Also called gum disease. When periodontal disease is detected it is important to treat to prevent premature tooth loss. Usually recommended is a procedure called scaling and root planning (also called deep cleanings). Your mouth is divided up into four quadrants during which the hygienist removes plaque and calculus from the bottom of periodontal pocket, then root surface is smoothed (or planned) to allow gum tissue to re attach to the teeth. Maintenance is the key to help maintain periodontal disease, which means seeing your hygienist more frequently.

A fixed bridge is a restoration that fills the space where one or more teeth have been lost. A fixed bridge is permanently cemented into place. Fixed bridges look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

A porcelain crown (as called cap) restores teeth to its normal size, shape, and function. Crowns are needed for various reasons, if decay is too large for a filling, teeth that are worn or cracked (broken), a root canal procedure was performed, or to correct discolored or misshapen teeth.

Conventional complete dentures have replacement teeth fitted into an acrylic base. The base is made to closely match the color of your gums. The base of the upper denture covers the palate (roof of your mouth). When the base of upper denture rest against your gums and palate it makes a seal to hold the denture into place. The lower denture has a horseshoe shape so there is room for your tongue and muscle attachments.

These dentures are made before your remaining teeth are removed. Once denture is made, the remaining teeth are removed, and the denture is placed right away. There is roughly a six month to one-year healing period, where the dentures may need to be adjusted or even relined to compensate for the gums healing and shrinking.

A removeable partial denture usually has replacement teeth fixed to a metal or acrylic base. The acrylic base may cover a framework made of several durable materials. Partial dentures often have some form of clasp that attaches to your natural teeth and can be easily placed and removed from your mouth.