RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY

At some point in life nearly everybody experiences tooth decay. Early detection of tooth decay, and then working quickly to correct it, can help to minimize the substantial inconveniences and expenses that are associated with even more serious problems that tooth decay causes. All tooth decay phases are treated by restorative dentistry, ranging from basic cavity filling to complete tooth replacements. Sylvan Dental offers the latest in restorative dentistry treatments and technologies to help restore your smile. Our restorative solutions include fillings, crowns, bridges, and root cana therapy.

• Fillings
• Porcelain Inlays & Onlays
• Porcelain Crowns
• Porcelain Fixed Bridges
• Root Canal Therapy

Fillings | Restorative dentistry

• The Problem: Tooth decay has caused a cavity (small hole) to develop in your tooth.
• The Solution: Fillings. We remove all decay areas and replace them with a filling that is made out of composite resin or silver (amalgam). Composite resin fillings continue to grow in popularity due to the fact that their appearance matches the teeth’s natural appearance perfectly.
• The Alternatives: For cases where the decay is more extensive, alternatives include porcelain onlays and inlays.

Porcelain Inlays & Onlays | Restorative dentistry

• The Problem: Weakened tooth structure, tooth decay, need for tooth reinforcement and restoration.
• The Solution: After your dentist removes the decay, an impression will be taken of the area that needs to be restored. A restorative onlay or inlay is created from the impression by a dental laboratory, usually out of porcelain or gold, that perfectly fits onto the tooth. An onlay is used only on the tooth’s chewing surface, whereas an inlay covers one or several tooth surfaces. The onlay or inlay is securely cemented into place, making an extremely stable and durable tooth restoration. The preferred restorative material is porcelain; it is very strong and can match the natural tooth color of a patient’s perfectly.
• The Alternatives: When tooth decay has progressed to an advanced stage, the only alternative might be a crown.

Porcelain Crowns | Restorative dentistry

• The Problem: Teeth that are badly decayed, cracked, chipped or weakened in some other way.
• The Solution: Crowns maintain your tooth’s’ aesthetic appearance by covering the tooth’s entire visible surface, while also adding significant protection and reinforcement to the tooth. After all decayed areas are removed, an impression of your tooth that needs to be crowned will be taken by your dentist and then sent to a dental lab for the crown to be made. A crown can be made from gold or porcelain. Porcelain crowns have a very natural appearance; it is nearly impossible to distinguish them from other teeth, which make them the perfect option for teeth that are visible. Gold crowns do not chip, so they are useful to use on back teeth.
• The Alternatives: Badly decay teeth may need to extracted, which leaves implants or bridges as suitable alternative treatment options.

Porcelain Fixed Bridges | Restorative dentistry

• The Problem: Patients with one or more missing teeth might have a hard time speaking or chewing, experience dental shifts, and also have sunken facial appearance, which can be quite unattractive. Missing teeth can also lead to joint and jaw problems eventually and treatment can be expensive.
• The Solution: Porcelain Fixed Bridges offer a solution that is more permanent than dentures. They can improve your aesthetic appearance and chewing as well as restore your smile. Bridges make use of artificial teeth to replacing missing teeth. A mold will be taken by your dentist of the gap where the missing tooth is. The mold will then be sent to a laboratory where a customized bridge will be prepared for you. Before the bridge is inserted, the surrounding teeth need to be prepared first. Then the bridge is put into place, with the artificial tooth cemented securely to the adjacent teeth to restore the functionality and attractive natural appearance of the lost tooth. If the bridge that is select is resin-bonded, then a metal appliance attaching to the back of the adjacent teeth secures the artificial tooth.
• The Alternatives: Dental implants are stable, permanent alternatives to a bridge. Surrounding teeth are not relied upon to provide support.

Root Canal Therapy | Restorative dentistry

• The Problem: Each tooth inside is filled with pulp.

This pulp carries the tooth’s nerves and blood supply. If bacteria get into the pulp, either through a deep cavity or fracture, the pulp might get infected. This could lead to pain and you could possibly lose the tooth.

• – The Solution: With a root canal procedure, the dentist removes the infected pulp.

A rubber sealant serves as the replacement. Then a protective cap is put on to cover the tooth. It protects against possible fractures in the future and enhances the appearance of the tooth. There is a very high success rate with root canals, saving teeth that otherwise would most likely be lost due to infection.

• Alternatives: Tooth extraction is the only alternative there is to root canal therapy.